Nozomi Networks to Throw the Spotlight on OT/IoT Security Solutions at Black Hat MEA

Anton Shipulin, the Industrial Cybersecurity Evangelist at Nozomi Networks, says supply chain vulnerabilities are a rising concern, as attackers focus on third-party suppliers to infiltrate larger targets

How has the regional threat landscape evolved over the past few months?
In recent months, Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East have faced a growing and more complex cyber threat landscape. Regional conflicts have increased cybersecurity risks, with cyber operations becoming a key tool in geopolitical disputes. These attacks, often backed by nation-states, target critical infrastructure like energy and government systems, aiming to disrupt services and steal sensitive information.

The region’s instability has made these threats more frequent and sophisticated. Amid this turbulence, supply chain vulnerabilities are a rising concern, as attackers focus on third-party suppliers to infiltrate larger targets. Sectors like energy and manufacturing are particularly at risk, given their reliance on global partners. This highlights the need for companies in Saudi Arabia to secure their entire supply chain to protect against breaches.

The Triton malware attack, which targeted a Saudi petrochemical plant’s safety systems a few years ago, continues to be a warning. It showed that attackers are willing to go to great lengths to cause potential physical damage. In response, there’s now a stronger focus on improving security for operational technology (OT) environments.

What are the five major cybersecurity predictions for the upcoming months?
In the coming months, we are likely to see an increase in AI/ML-enabled cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure and new attacks on AI/ML-based OT/IoT cyber-physical systems. Smart city projects, particularly entertainment and sports facilities are increasingly recognizing the importance of securing their cyber-physical systems. Often overlooked, systems like building management and other connected devices can both be final targets and serve as potential entry points for cyberattacks.

Wireless communication technologies like 5G, LoRaWAN, and local wireless communication becoming more common in OT/IoT environments, introducing new security risks alongside new capabilities.

Drones, with their growing applications in both military and civilian/industrial contexts, are also becoming high-value targets as many critical processes now rely on them. Similarly, the cybersecurity of space infrastructure, including satellites and ground systems, is becoming a pressing concern. Industries across sectors rely heavily on space-based communications and services, leaving them vulnerable to threats in the space domain.

Post-quantum cryptography is another significant emerging trend. While its full impact may still be years away, organizations, particularly those in the industrial and operational technology sectors, should start preparing now to stay ahead of future challenges.

What are your plans for Black Hat MEA?
We will highlight our latest innovations, including OT/IoT Endpoint Security Sensor Nozomi Arc, OT/IoT Wireless Network Sensor Nozomi Guardian Air and OT/IoT Threat Intelligence capabilities: TI Feed and Threat Cards, and our brand new OT/IoT Asset Risk Scoring capabilities. Our goal is to connect with regional leaders and showcase how our solutions can reduce cyber risks and improve critical infrastructure resilience, from heavy industrial sectors such as Oil & Gas, Energy, Metallurgy and Mining to modern smart infrastructures: manufacturing, city environments, transportation etc., against the unique cyber threats facing OT and IoT environments here.

By being here, we demonstrate our dedication to empowering organizations with the tools they need to secure their digital transformation journeys and safeguard essential services across the region.

Will you be running any offline or online events alongside Black Hat MEA?
This year at Black Hat, we are attending alongside three of our trusted partners in the region – Innovative Solutions, HelpAG, and Oregon Systems – all with Nozomi Networks Certified Engineers (NNCE) who will host interactive demos to highlight real-time solutions for securing OT and IoT systems.

Tell us about your regional commitment in terms of expanding reach through partnerships.
Nozomi Networks continues to expand partnerships across the Middle East, with a growing ecosystem of integrations, including recent compatibility with major cloud providers and automation platforms. We are already trusted by leading enterprises in the region to provide reliable and regionally adapted OT and IoT security solutions.