Saudi Aramco’s Cyberani and Thales enter a strategic alliance to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity. The alliance is set to cater to the cybersecurity needs of both private and public sector organisations in the kingdom.

The strategic alliance, which was signed at LEAP 2024, by Mr. Saeed Al Saeed, CEO of Cyberani, and Mr. Pierre-Yves Jolivet, vice president of Cyber Digital Solutions, at Thales, aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity and digital infrastructure in building a diversified and sustainable economy.

The Cyberani-Thales alliance will act as a catalyst for the local economy and strengthen the development of Saudi’s digital and industrial capabilities, contributing to the kingdom’s sovereignty objectives and a common target of $350 million in revenue to be achieved from 2024 to 2030.

The signing was witnessed by Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter, executive vice president of Technology & Innovation at Aramco, Tareq Amin, CEO at Aramco Digital, Dr. Wael Kanoun, managing director of Cyber Defense Solutions, Thales in KSA and Middle East, and Bernard Roux, CEO of Thales in KSA. 

Having completed the acquisition of Imperva, and with more than 5,800 cybersecurity experts across 68 countries, Thales forecasst 2024 revenue of $2.4 billion from cybersecurity.

Selecting Thales as a preferred partner, Cyberani will leverage the technology company’s expertise to secure critical information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) infrastructure and operations for critical sectors such as energy, utilities, aviation, transportation, space, finance and even smart cities.

Thales will also support Cyberani by providing cybersecurity services for Aramco & Aramco affiliates in overseas locations, specifically those outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Saeed Al Saeed, CEO of Cyberani, said the alliance will significantly influence the trajectory of cybersecurity and resilience advancement in the kingdom.

“Investment in the digital infrastructure is critical to achieving the overarching aim of Vision 2030 of a diversified, digital, resilient, and knowledge-based economy. We are excited about the alliance with Cyberani and the opportunities and capabilities that our combined DNA will bring to the Saudi market,” said Pierre-Yves Jolivet, vice president of Cyber Digital Solutions at Thales.

“We are committed to bolstering the nation’s defence against cyber threats, safeguarding critical infrastructure and advancing digital resilience for a secure and prosperous future. With an active presence in the Kingdom for more than 50 years, at Thales, our priority remains to building a future we can all trust,” Pierre-Yves Jolivet, VP of Cyber Digital Solutions at Thales.