Saudi Founding Day underscores the Kingdom’s transition toward a secure digital economy
Vision 2030 drives investment in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and innovation to strengthen global competitiveness
RIYADH: Gulf Tech News
The Founding Day anniversary falls on February 22 each year , embodying the deep historical roots of the Saudi state since its establishment in 1727, and reflecting the journey of a nation that has succeeded in laying the foundations of stability and establishing a renewed development model.
Building on this legacy, the Kingdom is moving forward at an accelerated pace toward establishing a digital economy driven by innovation, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.
Digital transformation has emerged as a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s economic strategy, supported by expanded adoption of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital government platforms, alongside the rollout of smart city projects. These initiatives are enhancing efficiency across key sectors, improving productivity, and strengthening investor confidence in the Kingdom’s economic outlook.
Cybersecurity strengthens digital resilience
As Saudi Arabia expands its digital footprint, cybersecurity has become a critical national priority to protect infrastructure, safeguard sensitive data, and ensure operational continuity.
Industry data indicates that 86% of organizations globally experienced at least one cybersecurity breach in 2024, while 28% reported five or more incidents. The figures highlight the growing scale and complexity of cyber threats and reinforce the need for robust cybersecurity frameworks to support economic stability.
Safeguarding critical national infrastructure
Sami Alshwairakh, Senior Regional Director Sales at Fortinet Saudi Arabia, said Founding Day serves as an opportunity to reflect on the Kingdom’s strong foundations and its progress toward building a modern, innovation-driven economy.
“Founding Day reflects Saudi Arabia’s strength, unity, and rich heritage, which have helped shape a resilient economy and a promising digital future,” he said.
“We are proud to support the Kingdom’s digital transformation under Vision 2030, contributing to economic growth, technological advancement, and global competitiveness. Our mission is clear: to secure Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving digital infrastructure in alignment with the national cybersecurity framework, ensuring sustainable and secure innovation.”
Digital infrastructure supports innovation and growth
Alshwairakh said Saudi Arabia continues to advance its digital ecosystem through smart city initiatives, AI-driven industries, and cloud-first government services, creating a secure foundation that supports innovation and economic diversification.
He added that strengthening infrastructure resilience and protecting critical sectors remain key priorities, supported by advanced cybersecurity capabilities designed to enhance threat visibility, reduce operational risk, and ensure business continuity.
Investing in cybersecurity talent
Alshwairakh also highlighted the importance of developing national cybersecurity capabilities, noting that the global cybersecurity workforce gap exceeds 4.7 million professionals.
He said investing in training, skills development, and knowledge transfer is essential to building sustainable cybersecurity capacity and strengthening institutional readiness to address evolving digital threats.
Advancing toward a competitive digital future
Drawing on its three-century legacy, Saudi Arabia continues to advance toward a technology-driven economic future, with digital transformation playing a key role in improving productivity, diversifying revenue streams, and strengthening economic resilience.
The Kingdom’s continued investment in digital infrastructure and cybersecurity reflects its commitment to safeguarding economic progress while reinforcing its position as a regional leader in the digital economy.
As Saudi Arabia marks Founding Day, the occasion highlights the nation’s ability to honor its historic foundations while accelerating its transition toward a secure, innovation-led, and globally competitive digital future.
