Open Access

ARTICLE

Enhancing Cybersecurity Competency in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Fuzzy Decision-Making Approach

Wajdi Alhakami^*

Department of Information Technology, College of Computers and Information Technology, Taif University, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia

* Corresponding Author: Wajdi Alhakami. Email:

Computers, Materials & Continua 2024, 79(2), 3211-3237. https://doi.org/10.32604/cmc.2023.043935

Received 16 July 2023; Accepted 21 November 2023; Issue published 15 May 2024

Abstract

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has achieved significant milestones in cybersecurity. KSA has maintained solid regulatory mechanisms to prevent, trace, and punish offenders to protect the interests of both individual users and organizations from the online threats of data poaching and pilferage. The widespread usage of Information Technology (IT) and IT Enable Services (ITES) reinforces security measures. The constantly evolving cyber threats are a topic that is generating a lot of discussion. In this league, the present article enlists a broad perspective on how cybercrime is developing in KSA at present and also takes a look at some of the most significant attacks that have taken place in the region. The existing legislative framework and measures in the KSA are geared toward deterring criminal activity online. Different competency models have been devised to address the necessary cybercrime competencies in this context. The research specialists in this domain can benefit more by developing a master competency level for achieving optimum security. To address this research query, the present assessment uses the Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (Fuzzy-DMTAEL), Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (F.AHP), and Fuzzy TOPSIS methodology to achieve segment-wise competency development in cyber security policy. The similarities and differences between the three methods are also discussed. This cybersecurity analysis determined that the National Cyber Security Centre got the highest priority. The study concludes by perusing the challenges that still need to be examined and resolved in effectuating more credible and efficacious online security mechanisms to offer a more empowered ITES-driven economy for Saudi Arabia. Moreover, cybersecurity specialists and policymakers need to collate their efforts to protect the country’s digital assets in the era of overt and covert cyber warfare.

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Keywords

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