As cyberattacks surge across government institutions, utilities, and national infrastructure, Kingston Technology, a global leader in memory products and technology solutions, is urging public sector entities across the Gulf and beyond to adopt stronger hardware-level data protection strategies.
Recent high-profile breaches and espionage attempts have exposed vulnerabilities in sectors handling sensitive or classified data. According to the UAE Cybersecurity Council’s 2024 report, ransomware attacks in the UAE rose by 32% year-over-year, while Saudi Arabia’s Cybersecurity Report 2024 from Foresiet recorded a 35% increase in cyberattacks, particularly targeting financial, government, and energy sectors.
“In today’s climate, data isn’t just operational, it’s sovereign,” said Antoine Harb, Team Leader Middle East at Kingston Technology. “When state institutions are targeted, the integrity of national systems, citizen privacy, and geopolitical stability are all at stake. Effective data protection has moved from being an IT best practice to a matter of national resilience.”
Kingston advocates for the adoption of FIPS 140-3 Level 3 certified hardware-encrypted storage, the highest internationally recognized standard for cryptographic device security. Unlike software-based encryption, hardware encryption offers tamper-evident protection, especially vital in mobile and field environments.
Among Kingston’s secure offerings is the IronKey™ D500S, a U.S.-assembled device compliant with FIPS 140-3 Level 3 and TAA standards. Already trusted by defense and intelligence agencies worldwide, the IronKey D500S is engineered for environments where data protection is mission-critical.
“Security isn’t about the tools, it’s about the decisions behind them,” Harb added. “It starts with policy, training, and risk-based planning. Devices like the IronKey are essential enablers, but leadership, standards, and strategic foresight come first.”
To support government IT leaders, Kingston offers its Ask an Expert program, providing advisory services on compliance, secure data mobility, and endpoint protection best practices.
With cyber threats now recognized by the World Economic Forum as a top-tier global risk, Kingston Technology reiterates its call for public institutions to build cyber-resilient ecosystems rooted in trusted hardware, clear policy, and continuous vigilance.
