News

Report Highlights $7.45 Million In Damages From Data Breaches Across The Middle East

The worldwide cost of data loss is at an all time high, with the Middle East among the top five regions suffering the most damage.

Published

2 years ago

August 2, 2022

Nour Nasir

report highlights $7.45 million in damages from data breaches across the middle east

IBM has released its annual Cost of a Data Breach Report for 2022, and the findings aren’t looking positive for the Middle East region. Now in its 17th year, the report highlights the importance of cybersecurity and the costs incurred by businesses who have succumbed to hacking (data breaches).

This year, the Middle East has already been damaged by data hacks to the tune of SR28 million ($7.45 million) — a figure that not only beats the combined total of the last eight years, but also puts the region in the top five in terms of lost revenue.

The Middle East has not only made the top 5 for overall losses but also took second place (behind the USA at number one) for the average amount lost from each individual data breach.

The report also breaks down the industries that have suffered the highest per-record cost in millions. Here’s how the top three entries stack up:

Financial: SR1,039
Health: SR991
Energy: SR950

Overall, the IBM report has found that the cost of securing a company after a data hack has increased by more than 13 percent over the last two years. This figure has almost certainly contributed to rising global inflation — a theory backed up by the fact that 60% of businesses in the report have increased their prices as a direct result of a data breach.

Also Read: NordPass Shines Light On Poor Password Hygiene

Fahad Alanazi, general manager of IBM Saudi Arabia, has noted that in our increasingly digital world, cybersecurity is more vital than ever before — especially as countries such as Saudi Arabia embrace a growing online economy.

“Our research confirms how crucial it is for us, as a leader in technology, to keep developing new approaches that will assist the Kingdom in establishing itself as the region’s innovation hub,” says Alanazi.

Perhaps most interestingly, IBM’s research suggests that the average business spends 50% of its breach expenses over a year after a hack has taken place, highlighting just how long a company can be affected by a digital security breach.

As the online world continues to develop at speed, the IBM report suggests the adoption of AI and automation are essential security tools for the future, estimating that the individual cost of data breaches could be reduced by over $3 million by embracing the latest technology.

News

Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent

According to Korean sources, the new wearable will launch alongside the Galaxy S25, with the accompanying software platform unveiled this December.

Published

1 day ago

December 4, 2024

Nour Nasir

samsung smart glasses teased for january software reveal imminent

Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated smart glasses in January 2025, alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25. According to sources in Korea, the company will first reveal the accompanying software platform later this month.

As per a report from Yonhap News, Samsung’s unveiling strategy for the smart glasses echoes its approach with the Galaxy Ring earlier this year. The January showcase won’t constitute a full product launch but will likely feature teaser visuals at the Galaxy S25 event. A more detailed rollout could follow in subsequent months.

Just in: Samsung is set to unveil a prototype of its augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently in development, during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event early next year, likely in the form of videos or images.

Additionally, prior to revealing the prototype, Samsung plans to introduce…

— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) December 3, 2024

The Galaxy Ring, for example, debuted in January via a short presentation during Samsung’s Unpacked event. The full product unveiling came later at MWC in February, and the final release followed in July. Samsung seems to be adopting a similar phased approach with its smart glasses, which are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.

A Collaborative Software Effort

Samsung’s partnership with Google has played a key role in developing the smart glasses’ software. This collaboration was first announced in February 2023, with the device set to run on an Android-based platform. In July, the companies reiterated their plans to deliver an extended reality (XR) platform by the end of the year. The software specifics for the XR device are expected to be unveiled before the end of December.

Reports suggest that the smart glasses will resemble Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in functionality. They won’t include a display but will weigh approximately 50 grams, emphasizing a lightweight, user-friendly design.

Feature Set And Compatibility

The glasses are rumored to integrate Google’s Gemini technology, alongside features like gesture recognition and potential payment capabilities. Samsung aims to create a seamless user experience by integrating the glasses with its broader Galaxy ecosystem, starting with the Galaxy S25, slated for release on January 22.