Cyberani by Aramco Digital and KPMG Middle East have announced a major strategic partnership aimed at accelerating Saudi Arabia’s leadership in cybersecurity and Operational Technology (OT) protection. The collaboration, revealed at Black Hat 2025 in Riyadh, underscores the Kingdom’s growing global influence in shaping cybersecurity standards and industrial resilience under Saudi Vision 2030.
Through this alliance, the two organizations will integrate their industrial expertise and global advisory strength to enhance OT and IT security across key national sectors—energy, water, aviation, and manufacturing. A central component of the partnership is the creation of advanced innovation facilities, including a Digital Twin and Simulation Lab designed to replicate complex industrial systems and proactively identify vulnerabilities before cyber threats materialize.
A major focus of the collaboration is talent development and knowledge transfer. Over the next three years, Cyberani and KPMG will train 100 Saudi specialists in OT cybersecurity, and launch a Women in OT Security program to promote diversity in the sector. An international exchange initiative will give Saudi professionals hands-on experience at KPMG’s global offices, deepening their expertise and strengthening national capability. Plans also include executive roundtables, industry forums, and a National OT Security Conference positioning Saudi Arabia as a global hub for cybersecurity collaboration.
Cyberani’s Chief Strategy Officer, Tariq Albassam, emphasized that the partnership will deliver practical solutions, world-class labs, and talent-building programs to secure critical infrastructure and design a safe digital future for the Kingdom. KPMG’s Global Head of OT and IoT, Hossain Alshedoki, added that the partnership blends national ambition with global excellence, ensuring Saudi Arabia helps shape the future of cybersecurity worldwide.
The Cyberani–KPMG alliance reflects Saudi Arabia’s determination to lead globally in digital and industrial resilience. By merging national vision with international collaboration, the Kingdom is laying the foundation for a safer, smarter, and more connected future.
