The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) has released its comprehensive “Key Economic Indicators in Cybersecurity Sector in the Kingdom 2025” report, providing unprecedented insights into the economic impact of Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity industry. It provides a detailed analysis that goes beyond just market size, highlighting the sector’s significant contributions to national economic growth and workforce development.
Comprehensive Economic Impact Analysis
GDP Contribution Reaches SAR 18.5 Billion
The NCA’s economic indicators report highlights the cybersecurity sector’s significant contribution to Saudi Arabia’s Gross Domestic Product. In 2024, the sector added about SAR 18.5 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP, a 19% increase from 2023. This contribution has two main components:
- Direct Contributions: SAR 9 billion is generated by cybersecurity product and service providers, reflecting the immediate economic value from organizations directly engaged in the cybersecurity sector.
- Indirect Contributions: SAR 9.5 billion results from economic activities linked to the cybersecurity sector, highlighting broader economic multiplier effects on industries that depend on cybersecurity.
The aggregate GDP contribution of the cybersecurity sector is 0.40% of Saudi Arabia’s total GDP and 0.71% of non-oil activities, reflecting its impact in supporting diversification and Vision 2030 objectives.
Workforce Development and Gender Diversity Achievements
The NCA’s economic indicators reveal significant progress in building Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity workforce capacity:
- Total Workforce Growth: The cybersecurity workforce surpassed 21,000 professionals in 2024, a 9% increase from 2023. This growth reflects ongoing demand for cybersecurity expertise in public and private sectors.
- Gender Diversity Leadership: Women now represent 32% of the cybersecurity workforce, surpassing the global average of 24%. This achievement demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s commitment to inclusive workforce development and positions the Kingdom as a leader in cybersecurity gender diversity.
- Skills Development: The increase in workforce capacity is supported by initiatives aimed at developing current and future cybersecurity skills, directly advancing the Kingdom’s economic and social development goals.
Market Structure and Investment Patterns
Product Versus Service Investment Analysis
Cybersecurity spending by organizations in Saudi Arabia is strikingly balanced. About SAR 7.7 billion, or 51% of total spending, goes into cybersecurity products like software, hardware, and infrastructure. Almost the same amount, SAR 7.5 billion (49%), is invested in services such as consulting, managed operations, implementation, and continuous support. This near-equal split shows that companies are not just buying technology. They recognize the value of expert guidance and ongoing management to make those tools work effectively. Investment decisions are no longer about “products versus services.” Instead, they focus on building a complete security ecosystem.
High-Demand Market Categories
Within this balanced investment, some areas stand out. Network security continues to top the list, reflecting the urgency of safeguarding the digital highways that keep businesses connected. Endpoint security and management are just as critical, especially as employees work across distributed and mobile environments. There is also growing interest in cybersecurity operations such as Security Operations Centers (SOCs), incident response, and managed security services. This shift shows a move toward active defense. Many organizations are turning to strategic consulting to shape long-term security strategies. Protecting sensitive information remains non-negotiable. Data security solutions help companies stay compliant and build trust.
Strategic Cybersecurity Planning
The NCA’s Key Economic Indicators report shows cybersecurity now drives economic growth, adding SAR 18.5 billion to GDP and supporting over 21,000 high-skilled professionals. Organizations seeking economic opportunities must adopt strategic cybersecurity planning. The market’s structure balances products and services and shows strong growth in specialized areas. This requires informed decisions and strategic investments.
At Aman Solutions, we align Saudi organizations’ cybersecurity strategies with the economic opportunities outlined in the NCA report. Our strategic planning services help businesses maximize cybersecurity ROI and contribute to the Kingdom’s broader economic goals. Transform your cybersecurity investments into measurable economic value. Partner with our strategic planning experts and achieve both security excellence and business growth in Saudi Arabia’s thriving cybersecurity economy.
