Leading experts say nations must prepare for a digital future
. . . as cybersecurity now shapes the economy
The Times Kuwait Report
In a world racing toward full digital transformation, two leading cybersecurity experts have sounded a stark warning, saying nations that fail to strengthen their cybersecurity risk falling behind in both national security and economic competitiveness.
Their message came during a seminar organized by the US Embassy in Kuwait on last Monday titled “Cybersecurity and Innovation.”
The event featured cybersecurity authority Guillermo Christensen and British Google expert Matthew Hurling, who stressed that cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) are no longer just technical issues — they are now strategic pillars of national power.
Christensen highlighted the unprecedented speed at which cybersecurity and AI are evolving, noting that what lies ahead will far surpass today’s reality.
“Cybersecurity and AI have,” he said, have become tools of national power and drivers of economic competition,” emphasizing that governments worldwide recognize their crucial role in protecting national interests.
He compared the AI to a general-purpose technology on the scale of energy, reshaping economies and transforming data centers into strategic assets and sources of wealth, he added.
Christensen also pointed out that cybersecurity challenges cannot be solved through technology alone. The human factor remains a major hurdle, requiring flexible regulatory approaches and proactive planning to stay ahead of evolving threats.
Hurling reinforced the message by stressing that technology now underpins almost every operation in both public and private sectors. He argued that linking cybersecurity to economic considerations — measuring return on investment and prioritizing protection efforts — helps boards and decision-makers take actionable steps.
He noted that even basic measures, such as regular security updates, remain a critical first line of defense, warning that continued exploitation of old vulnerabilities reflects poor adherence to fundamental practices.
Both experts agreed that the stakes have never been higher: investing in cybersecurity and AI is no longer optional; it is essential for national security, economic resilience, and global competitiveness.
