Middle East SASE Market Soars to $25B as CyberKnight-Netskope Partnership Launches

The Middle East's SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) market is experiencing tremendous growth, creating a $25 billion opportunity by 2027. This unprecedented expansion is being supported by strategic partnerships like CyberKnight and Netskope's recent collaboration announced at GISEC 2025, offering integrated cloud-native security solutions that address both regional compliance requirements and emerging cyber threats.

Key Takeaways

The Middle East SASE market is projected to reach $25 billion by 2027, growing at a 29% CAGR from $7 billion in 2022
70% of regional enterprises are now prioritizing AI-driven threat detection and Zero Trust security frameworks
CyberKnight and Netskope's partnership unveiled at GISEC 2025 addresses strict data residency requirements in GCC countries
Netskope's platform unifies multiple security technologies including CASB, SWG, and ZTNA in a comprehensive SASE solution
The expansion of Netskope's NewEdge infrastructure in UAE and Saudi Arabia enables compliant, high-performance security

Middle East SASE Market Explosion

The Middle Eastern Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) market is on a remarkable growth trajectory, projected to surge from $7 billion in 2022 to $25 billion by 2027 according to Gartner. This represents a compound annual growth rate of 29%, significantly outpacing many other technology sectors in the region. The dramatic expansion reflects the rapidly changing security landscape as organizations adapt to digital transformation initiatives.

Several factors are driving this explosive growth. The acceleration of cloud migration strategies across both public and private sectors has created an urgent need for comprehensive security solutions. Additionally, the permanent shift to hybrid work models has forced organizations to rethink their approach to securing distributed workforces. The combination of these factors has made SASE a critical component of forward-thinking security strategies.

A futuristic Middle Eastern cityscape with digital networks visibly connecting buildings and infrastructure, representing the secure digital transformation powered by SASE technology.

Strategic Partnership Unveiled at GISEC 2025

At GISEC 2025, CyberKnight and Netskope announced a strategic value-added distribution partnership designed to address the surging demand for integrated cloud-native security across the Middle East. This collaboration combines CyberKnight's deep regional market expertise and extensive channel network with Netskope's innovative global security platform.

The partnership specifically targets enterprises and government organizations across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with locally-supported cloud security solutions. This regional focus is particularly important in a market with specific compliance requirements and unique security challenges. By joining forces, the companies aim to accelerate secure digital transformation while ensuring organizations maintain control over their security posture.

70% of Middle East Enterprises Prioritize AI and Zero Trust Security

Research indicates that 70% of regional enterprises are now prioritizing AI-driven threat detection and Zero Trust security frameworks. This significant shift in security priorities reflects the growing recognition that traditional perimeter-based security approaches are insufficient in today's distributed IT environment.

Zero Trust models operate on the principle of "never trust, always verify," restricting access to only approved users and applications. This approach minimizes insider threats and limits potential lateral movement during security breaches. Organizations across the Middle East are seeking solutions that can detect threats in real-time while automating security policies across their increasingly complex environments.

A close-up visualization of advanced AI security analytics detecting and blocking threats in real-time across a network map of the Middle East region, with UAE and Saudi Arabia highlighted as security hubs.

Netskope's Comprehensive SASE Platform

Netskope's platform delivers a comprehensive security solution that integrates multiple technologies into a unified SASE and Security Service Edge (SSE) framework. This integrated approach includes:

Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) for visibility and control over cloud applications
Secure Web Gateway (SWG) for protection against web-based threats
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) for secure application access
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to protect sensitive information
Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) for continuous security assessment

The solution features patented AI innovations for anomaly detection, zero-day threat blocking, and data exfiltration prevention. This unified security approach eliminates silos, consolidates technologies, and maintains visibility even with distributed users. For organizations managing complex security environments, this integration offers significant advantages in both security effectiveness and operational efficiency.

NewEdge Network Expansion

Addressing regional needs directly, Netskope has expanded its NewEdge infrastructure in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This regional infrastructure expansion is a crucial component of the partnership's value proposition, as it directly addresses the strict data residency regulations across GCC countries.

The enhanced regional presence enables high-performance, low-latency security processing while maintaining regulatory compliance. This is particularly important in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where data sovereignty is a critical compliance requirement. The local infrastructure ensures that organizations can benefit from advanced security capabilities without compromising on performance or compliance.

Addressing Regional Cybersecurity Challenges

Middle Eastern organizations face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats as their digital footprints expand. The region has become a frequent target for advanced threat actors, making robust security essential for business continuity and data protection.

Regulatory frameworks and government initiatives across the region are pushing for stronger cybersecurity postures across both public and private sectors. Local infrastructure is essential for building digital trust while enabling cloud adoption in compliance-focused environments. The CyberKnight-Netskope partnership addresses these regional challenges by providing security solutions that are both technically advanced and regionally appropriate.

Enabling Secure Hybrid Work and Cloud Migration

SASE provides seamless, high-performance, and secure access to applications and data from anywhere, on any device. This capability is essential for organizations transitioning to hybrid work models, which require consistent security regardless of user location.

Business professionals in Middle Eastern attire working in a modern hybrid office environment, accessing secure cloud applications on various devices protected by invisible security layers.

Cloud migration strategies benefit from SASE's ability to maintain security controls while shifting workloads from on-premises to cloud environments. This is particularly valuable in the Middle East, where organizations are often managing complex hybrid infrastructure during their digital transformation journeys. The flexibility of SASE architecture allows security to adapt to changing business needs without creating friction for users or administrators.

SASE as the Foundation for the Middle East's Digital Future

SASE is becoming foundational infrastructure for national digital transformation agendas across the region. The technology enables secure adoption of emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and 5G, which are central to many countries' economic diversification plans.

With the CyberKnight-Netskope partnership, the Middle East is positioned to leapfrog legacy architectures and implement global best practices. The SASE approach provides the security foundation needed for digital competitiveness and innovation leadership. As organizations continue to transform their operations and embrace new technologies, this foundation will be critical for maintaining security while enabling growth.

The explosive growth of the SASE market in the Middle East represents both a challenge and an opportunity. With strategic partnerships like that between CyberKnight and Netskope, organizations across the region can access the security technologies they need to protect their digital transformation journeys and prepare for a more connected future.