Cyberani and KPMG Explore Partnership Amid Saudi Push to Harden Industrial Cybersecurity
Saudi Arabia’s top cyber-defence firm and global auditor reportedly in talks to extend protections across critical sectors
The Saudi cybersecurity firm Cyberani — an offshoot of Saudi Aramco — is reportedly in preliminary discussions with the audit and advisory giant KPMG to expand safeguards across Saudi Arabia’s industrial and digital infrastructure, according to sources familiar with both organisations.
The potential collaboration signals a deepening of the Kingdom’s efforts to bolster resilience in a time of rising cyber threats.
Cyberani, licensed as a Tier-1 managed security operations provider under the national regulatory framework, already offers a comprehensive suite of services ranging from managed detection and response to operational-technology (OT) security and compliance management.
Its existing partnerships — including a past major alliance with technology group Thales — illustrate its ambition to lead national cybersecurity efforts.
KPMG, whose Saudi arm recently published a report stressing that cybersecurity and data-privacy capacity remains a key concern for businesses undergoing rapid digital transformation, is viewed as potentially providing governance, strategy advisory and risk-management expertise to augment Cyberani’s operational strengths.
The union could offer clients a combined offering: advanced SOC monitoring and technical defence from Cyberani, paired with KPMG’s advisory framework for policy, compliance and risk oversight.
Observers suggest the move comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is increasing investment in digital infrastructure under its long-term economic reform agenda.
A combined Cyberani–KPMG offering could significantly improve protection for sectors considered critical — including energy, utilities, manufacturing and smart-city projects — and help ensure compliance with emerging national cybersecurity standards.
While neither party has issued a public confirmation of the alliance, the report reflects broader trends in the Kingdom’s digital security strategy: blending private sector agility with international consultancy rigor to safeguard both industrial assets and sensitive data at scale.
Should the partnership formalise, it would mark a new chapter in how Gulf nations approach cybersecurity — prioritising holistic, integrated defences over piecemeal measures.
The potential collaboration signals a deepening of the Kingdom’s efforts to bolster resilience in a time of rising cyber threats.
Cyberani, licensed as a Tier-1 managed security operations provider under the national regulatory framework, already offers a comprehensive suite of services ranging from managed detection and response to operational-technology (OT) security and compliance management.
Its existing partnerships — including a past major alliance with technology group Thales — illustrate its ambition to lead national cybersecurity efforts.
KPMG, whose Saudi arm recently published a report stressing that cybersecurity and data-privacy capacity remains a key concern for businesses undergoing rapid digital transformation, is viewed as potentially providing governance, strategy advisory and risk-management expertise to augment Cyberani’s operational strengths.
The union could offer clients a combined offering: advanced SOC monitoring and technical defence from Cyberani, paired with KPMG’s advisory framework for policy, compliance and risk oversight.
Observers suggest the move comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is increasing investment in digital infrastructure under its long-term economic reform agenda.
A combined Cyberani–KPMG offering could significantly improve protection for sectors considered critical — including energy, utilities, manufacturing and smart-city projects — and help ensure compliance with emerging national cybersecurity standards.
While neither party has issued a public confirmation of the alliance, the report reflects broader trends in the Kingdom’s digital security strategy: blending private sector agility with international consultancy rigor to safeguard both industrial assets and sensitive data at scale.
Should the partnership formalise, it would mark a new chapter in how Gulf nations approach cybersecurity — prioritising holistic, integrated defences over piecemeal measures.
