How can protect its digital transformation with robust cybersecurity tools

How  can protect its digital transformation with robust cybersecurity tools
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Updated 23 December 2024

How can protect its digital transformation with robust cybersecurity tools

How  can protect its digital transformation with robust cybersecurity tools
  • Mobile apps are a major target for cyberattacks, with breaches escalating as developers face pressure to prioritize speed over security
  • Ensuring robust mobile app security is essential to building user trust, regulatory compliance, and safeguarding digital infrastructure

RIYADH: In today’s hyper-connected world, mobile apps have become the gateway to almost every service and business interaction. But as businesses race to deliver convenience, they inadvertently expose themselves — and their users — to growing cyber threats.

With security breaches rising at an alarming rate, mobile apps are often the weakest link. Developers face a two-fold challenge — balancing security without sacrificing speed or innovation.

This pressing issue was the catalyst for Appknox, a mobile app security platform established in Bangalore, India, and now making inroads in , which was designed to make securing apps faster, smarter, and more efficient.

“Mobile apps are no longer just tools — they’re business-critical systems,” Subho Halder, CEO of Appknox, told Arab News. “Yet securing them has remained cumbersome, complex, and, often, reactive.”

At its core, Appknox simplifies security testing by integrating into the development pipeline, helping businesses identify and fix vulnerabilities early in the software development lifecycle.

By removing friction and leveraging advanced technology like AI and machine learning, Appknox bridges the gap between speed and security — two critical elements for businesses operating in the digital economy.

The demand for mobile apps has exploded, but so too have cyberattacks targeting them. For developers, traditional security solutions have long been a source of frustration.

Tools relying on source code access raise privacy concerns, while outdated systems generate high false positives, leaving teams chasing ghosts rather than fixing real problems. The result? Security becomes an afterthought — patched hastily or worse, ignored entirely.

“Developers want to ship quickly, but every delay costs businesses money,” said Halder. “The problem is that skipping security leaves apps vulnerable to breaches that are far more expensive to fix later.”

For businesses operating in highly regulated industries like fintech, banking, or government, the stakes are even higher. Regulations such as those enforced by the Saudi Central Bank, for instance, require stringent compliance with data protection standards.

Failing to meet those standards not only risks fines but can erode user trust — a death knell in industries where reliability is everything.

What makes Appknox stand out is its ability to tackle these challenges without complicating the developer workflow. It uses a binary-based scanning approach, meaning the platform does not require access to the app’s source code.

Instead, it scans compiled binaries to uncover runtime vulnerabilities, ensuring confidentiality while delivering deeper, more actionable insights.

The platform combines static analysis, dynamic analysis, and application programming interface testing, giving developers a unified view of their security posture.

Appknox’s launch in comes at a time when the Kingdom is undergoing a dramatic digital transformation. Under Vision 2030, sectors like fintech, open banking, and e-commerce are expanding rapidly. But with this growth comes increased vulnerability.

“The digital infrastructure being built in is world-class,” said Halder. “But world-class innovation demands world-class security.”

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For fintech players in particular, API security has become a priority as the Kingdom embraces open banking initiatives. APIs, while critical for enabling seamless financial transactions, are also prime targets for cyberattacks.

One of the most significant breakthroughs Appknox brings to mobile security is its ability to cut through the noise.

High false positives — a common complaint in traditional tools — are minimized using AI-driven analysis. The platform’s machine learning models are trained on vast datasets of vulnerabilities, ensuring smarter detection that focuses on real, exploitable risks.

But Halder stresses that AI alone is not enough. To ensure accuracy, Appknox combines automation with human validation. “Automation gets you speed, but human experts provide context,” he said. “It’s this balance that gives teams confidence to act on the results.”

Moreover, the AI behind Appknox continuously evolves. Every scan, every vulnerability patched, and every piece of user feedback helps improve detection accuracy over time. This adaptability is critical as new threats, such as zero-day vulnerabilities, emerge at an increasing rate.

The impact of Appknox’s solutions is already being felt across industries. In one notable case, a large Middle Eastern enterprise managing over 50 mobile applications struggled with delayed vulnerability remediation and fragmented oversight.

With Appknox, they streamlined their security processes through automated scanning, real-time monitoring, and a centralized security dashboard.

“The result was transformative,” said Halder. “They cut remediation times significantly and moved from a reactive approach to proactive security. That’s the kind of impact businesses need to stay competitive.”

As cyber threats evolve, Halder believes security tools must become predictive rather than reactive. AI will play a central role in this shift, enabling platforms like Appknox to anticipate vulnerabilities before they are exploited.

In markets like , where digital transformation is reshaping the economy, this kind of innovation is not optional — it is essential. Businesses need to secure their apps not just to comply with regulations, but to earn and maintain user trust.

“Mobile apps are the face of your business,” said Halder. “If they’re not secure, neither is your reputation. Our mission is simple: to make sure security is never the reason a business can’t grow.”


King Salman appoints Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court

King Salman appoints Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court
Updated 10 July 2025

King Salman appoints Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court

King Salman appoints Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court
  • Al-Fayyad has been executive general supervisor at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre since 2017
  • He graduated in 1990 from King Saud University’s medical school and has amassed decades of clinical, academic and administrative experience

JEDDAH: In a royal order issued on Wednesday, King Salman appointed Majid Al-Fayyad as an advisor to the Saudi Royal Court.

Al-Fayyad is the executive general supervisor at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, which has facilities in Riyadh, Madinah and Jeddah. He graduated in 1990 from the medical school at King Saud University in Riyadh, and has amassed decades of clinical, academic and administrative experience.

In the US, he undertook specialized training in pediatrics at Tufts University, and in pediatric cardiology at Columbia University. He holds several certifications and degrees, including a master’s in medical administration awarded by the University of Southern California in 2015.

He was appointed in 2017 to his current position at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, where he has helped spearhead key reforms to the Saudi healthcare sector. He has also played important roles in national healthcare committees and initiatives, earning recognition for his contributions to research and administration.


Saudi deputy FM receives UK ambassador in Riyadh

Saudi deputy FM receives UK ambassador in Riyadh
Updated 09 July 2025

Saudi deputy FM receives UK ambassador in Riyadh

Saudi deputy FM receives UK ambassador in Riyadh

Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi was visited by UK Ambassador to the Kingdom Neil Crompton in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The ambassador visited to bid farewell on the occasion of the end of his tenure in the Kingdom, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.

Al-Rassi praised the ambassador’s efforts in strengthening and advancing relations between the two countries.


Riyadh museum to host interactive camp for kids

Riyadh museum to host interactive camp for kids
Updated 09 July 2025

Riyadh museum to host interactive camp for kids

Riyadh museum to host interactive camp for kids

JEDDAH: The National Museum in Riyadh will launch its third interactive summer camp, themed “Made in the Museum,” for children aged 10 to 12, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The initiative is part of the “Year of Handicrafts,” celebrating ’s cultural heritage and its role in shaping national identity and intergenerational bonds.

The camp has two sessions: July 21-31 and Aug. 4-14, running daily from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., both inside the museum and outdoors.

Designed as an educational and immersive experience, the camp invites participants to explore and revive traditional Saudi crafts, the SPA added.

Children will engage in hands-on activities in four core tracks: clay crafts, textiles, woodworking, and supportive crafts, blending play, learning, and exploration.

This year’s camp strengthens the museum’s role as a community hub, providing children with opportunities to develop critical thinking and design skills while inspiring their imagination and showing the cultural and economic importance of handicrafts.

The camp encourages children to make and show their projects at the end of each session, helping them feel confident and encouraging new ideas and creativity.


Riyadh hospital succeeds in rare disease treatment

Riyadh hospital succeeds in rare disease treatment
Updated 09 July 2025

Riyadh hospital succeeds in rare disease treatment

Riyadh hospital succeeds in rare disease treatment
  • The hospital has provided 22 years of care for a patient with a rare genetic blood clotting disorder, culminating in a successful liver transplant — the first worldwide for this condition

RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh has provided 22 years of care for a patient with a rare genetic blood clotting disorder, culminating in a successful liver transplant — the first worldwide for this condition.

Diagnosed in infancy with congenital plasminogen deficiency, the patient required ongoing treatment to manage fibrous deposits affecting her tissues and organs, according to a press release.

Over the two decades, a multidisciplinary team including hematology, transplant specialists, nursing, nutrition and IT supported her care, the report said.

The patient’s father said: “She suffered from birth and couldn’t nurse. We had no clear answers until we found hope through the care provided by the Saudi government. After 22 years of struggle, we witness our daughter’s recovery.”

The treatment involved regular plasminogen infusions and eyedrops to reduce the disease’s effect on her vision, with annual costs exceeding SR6 million ($1.6 million), fully covered by the government.

Dr. Hazzaa Al-Zahrani, director of the adult hematology and stem-cell transplant division at the center and supervising physician, said that managing the case required a precise and long-term approach to prevent complications and ensure stability.

He said that the decision to proceed with a liver transplant came after careful consideration as an extraordinary therapeutic option for this exceptionally rare case.

The procedure’s success marked a turning point in her medical journey and was a beacon of hope for patients with similar conditions worldwide, Al-Zahrani added.


Program to boost youth, SME role in Saudi economy

Program to boost youth, SME role in Saudi economy
Updated 09 July 2025

Program to boost youth, SME role in Saudi economy

Program to boost youth, SME role in Saudi economy

RIYADH: The Small and Medium Enterprises Loan Guarantee Program, known as Kafalah, in collaboration with the Riyadh Chamber, will hold interactive sessions on July 15 to mark World Youth Skills Day.

The initiative aims to raise awareness and develop entrepreneurial skills among youth, entrepreneurs and SMEs, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The sessions will cover key topics to boost youth contributions to national economic development, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform plan.

Focus areas include access to finance, building administrative and financial capabilities, enhancing SME sustainability, and turning ideas into viable projects.

These sessions highlight the collaboration between entities supporting the SME sector in the Kingdom, the SPA added.

The Kafalah program and Riyadh Chamber aim to foster youth growth and strengthen their role in the national economy.

Kafalah supports micro, small and medium enterprises by providing financial guarantees, improving their access to financing and reducing lending risks for banks.