COGNNA Hosts "HORIZON 2026", Its Third Annual Gathering of MENA’s Cybersecurity Leaders

 Manal Saleh

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — April 12, 2026 — As the Middle East’s digital landscape evolves under the pressure of rapid innovation and increasing geopolitical tension, COGNNA, the Kingdom’s leader in Agentic AI-led MDR, hosted its third annual gathering, HORIZON 2026, in Riyadh. 

The event served as a high-level summit for the region’s digital leaders, it brought together cybersecurity leaders and enterprise stakeholders from across the region, including representatives from global technology companies such as Google and leading regional organizations like stc.

More than a corporate conference, HORIZON 2026 acted as a gateway to a future where cybersecurity is no longer a passive "watch and alert" function, but a proactive, operationalized shield designed to withstand the unique pressures of the MENA region.

The narrative of the evening was set by Ibrahim Alshamrani, CEO of COGNNA, who addressed the critical "Operational Shift." He challenged the industry to move beyond traditional Managed Detection and Response (MDR), which often leaves organizations drowning in alerts, toward a model of active tool operation. Alshamrani emphasized that true protection is achieved when security teams don't just see the threat, but actively operate within the environment to neutralize it before it impacts the business.

The urgency of this shift was underscored by the release of COGNNA’s 2026 MENA Threat Report. Presented by CISO Abdulaziz Alsuhaim, the report detailed how regional conflicts have weaponized cyberspace, leading to a surge in AI-backed phishing and unprecedented attacks on critical infrastructure. The findings highlighted a hard truth: in an era of hybrid warfare, global security data is insufficient. Defense now requires a "Guardian" model built on local context, cultural nuance, and the specific regulatory landscapes of SAMA and the NCA.

Technical innovation took center stage as Ziyad Alshehri, COGNNA’s CTO, unveiled the 2026 product roadmap. He demonstrated the power of the "Human + AI" model, showing how Agentic AI cybersecurity platforms now achieve 90% faster threat validation and an 80% reduction in MTTR. 

The event reached its intellectual peak with a high-stakes debate: "The Paradox: The Future of AI in Cybersecurity." Moderated by Bisher Arafat, senior leaders from KPMG Saudi Arabia, TechArch, and SIFI sparred over whether AI is a replacement for human talent or its ultimate force multiplier. The consensus was clear: while AI provides the speed to survive, only human wisdom provides the strategy to win.

The night concluded with the Horizon Awards, honoring the partners and customers whose loyalty and collaboration have fueled COGNNA’s rise as a regional powerhouse. From record-breaking onboarding to long-term strategic alliances, these awards celebrated the architects and pioneers securing the Kingdom’s digital future.

As attendees gathered for the Horizon Dinner, the sentiment was one of unified defiance against a growing threat landscape. At HORIZON 2026, COGNNA proved that while the horizon is changing, the region’s defense has never been more prepared to meet it.

About COGNNA

COGNNA is Saudi Arabia’s leading Agentic AI-led cybersecurity provider, certified by the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) as a Tier 2 Managed SOC. By fusing advanced AI capabilities with expert human "Guardians," COGNNA empowers organizations across the Middle East with smarter, faster, and more resilient threat detection and response.

www.cognna.com