UAE Leads Zero Trust Adoption in MENA, Yet Identity Security Gaps Persist, Zoho 2026 Report Reveals
A comprehensive study by Zoho has identified the United Arab Emirates as a regional powerhouse in cybersecurity readiness, with 96% of organizations equipped with advanced threat detection tools. The "State of Workplace Password Security 2026" report reveals that 80% of UAE firms have implemented a Zero Trust strategy, significantly outpacing regional peers. Despite this, the nation remains a prime target, with 45% of enterprises reporting cyberattacks in the past year—the highest in the MENA region.
Hyther Nizam, President of Zoho MEA, warned that while reactive tools are strong, "Identity Security" remains a critical vulnerability. The report found that 42% of UAE companies struggle with the unmanageable growth of digital identities. Furthermore, while 60% are nearing the "Zero Standing Privileges" (ZSP) milestone, only 22% have achieved full implementation. Nizam emphasized that over-privileged access and compromised credentials are the primary gateways for attackers, necessitating a shift toward more granular identity governance as the UAE accelerates its AI integration.