MENA Region Projected to Reach $4 Billion in Information Security Spending by 2026

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is set to see a major increase in spending on information security, reaching an estimated $4 billion by 2026.

This represents a significant growth rate of 10.1% from the previous year, as reported by Gartner, Inc., a leading firm providing business and technological insights.

Shailendra Upadhyay, a Senior Principal at Gartner, highlighted the cautious approach MENA organizations are adopting towards new expenditures amid uncertain times. Despite the global trend of budget constraint, the commitment to security remains strong within the region's budgets.

"Organizations in MENA are being cautious with new spending during turbulent times, reflecting the global trend, yet security remains a top priority in their budgets," Upadhyay noted.

He further emphasized that the continuous threat landscape, coupled with swift cloud integration, ensures that security remains a critical focus for MENA's chief information security officers (CISOs), propelling the security spending upwards through 2026.

Security software is set to dominate the information security expenditure in MENA by 2026, constituting 48% of the total spending.

This surge underscores a strategic shift among local organizations towards investing in security software, aiming to navigate the evolving cybersecurity challenges within the region.

The growth in this sector is primarily fueled by investments in endpoint protection platforms and solutions for managing cloud security posture. These tools are pivotal in addressing the cybersecurity needs of organizations, marking a mature step towards enhancing regional cybersecurity frameworks.

The detailed forecast by Gartner presents a breakdown of the expected spending across various segments of information security in MENA for the years 2025 and 2026. Notably, security services are anticipated to witness a growth from $1,376 million in 2025 to $1,522 million in 2026, marking an increase of 10.6%.

Network security and security software segments are also projected to see considerable growth. Specifically, the expenditure on security software is expected to rise from $1,797 million in 2025 to $1,970 million in 2026, demonstrating the sector's significant contribution to the overall increase in information security spending.

Gartner's comprehensive forecast, "Forecast: Information Security, Worldwide, 2023-2029, 3Q25 Update," offers an in-depth analysis for its clients, shedding light on the expected trends and advancements in information security worldwide.

Additionally, Gartner provides a complimentary guide on crafting a cybersecurity strategy that effectively balances human and technological needs, further emphasizing the critical role of cybersecurity in today's digital landscape.

As the MENA region continues to adapt to the evolving cybersecurity market, the strategic focus on security software investments highlights a proactive approach towards safeguarding digital assets and infrastructure.

This significant investment in information security underscores the region's commitment to combating cybersecurity threats and ensuring a secure digital environment for businesses and individuals alike.