Digital Infrastructure Contingency Planning: 5 Steps for GCC Enterprises Preparing for Geopolitical Instability

Geopolitical risks and evolving regulations in the GCC demand that businesses strengthen their digital infrastructure to ensure resilience. From cyberattacks to regulatory shifts, disruptions can severely impact operations, making preparation non-negotiable. Here's a quick guide to building a robust contingency plan:

• Risk Assessment: Identify vulnerabilities, map cyber threats, and align with local data laws. Use frameworks like ISO 22301 and NIST to evaluate risks effectively.
• Backup Systems: Implement multi-cloud strategies, follow the 3-2-1 rule (three copies, two media types, one offsite), and explore local data centre options prioritising compliance and performance.
• Hybrid Infrastructure: Balance local and global data centres to meet data sovereignty requirements while reducing latency and ensuring cross-border compliance.
• Incident Response Plans: Establish a dedicated team, test response strategies regularly, and collaborate with local regulators for compliance.
• Continuous Monitoring: Use real-time tools, track key metrics, and stay updated on GCC-specific threats and regulatory changes.

The stakes are high. Cybercrime costs are projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, and disruptions in the GCC could ripple globally. By investing in monitoring, compliance, and redundancy, businesses can mitigate risks and maintain trust in an unpredictable environment.

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Step 1: Complete Risk Assessment for Your Digital Infrastructure

Conducting a thorough risk assessment is essential for identifying and prioritising vulnerabilities that could disrupt your digital operations. For businesses in the GCC, the stakes are particularly high. A recent study revealed that 77% of organisations in the Middle East increased their cybersecurity budgets in 2025, highlighting the growing awareness of digital threats. However, boosting budgets alone isn’t enough. You need a structured approach to pinpoint risks specific to your operations, ensuring the foundation for a resilient digital infrastructure.

Map Out Geopolitical and Cyber Threats

The GCC faces a unique combination of regional conflicts and cyber challenges, making it critical to map out these risks. From ransomware attacks - reported by 53% of GCC businesses - to supply chain attacks, which have surged by over 2,600% since 2018, the threats are diverse and evolving.

Take the Cl0p ransomware attack in May 2023 as an example. This group exploited a zero-day vulnerability in MOVEit software, impacting at least 2,300 organisations and over 65 million individuals globally. The estimated cost of this attack exceeded US$10 billion.

Insider threats also pose a significant risk, given the inherent access privileges of internal personnel. A targeted vulnerability assessment should include measures to detect potential insider threats. Additionally, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) targeting data centres demand special attention. Data centres are valuable targets due to the sensitive information they house, and any breach could have serious geopolitical implications.

Apply Risk Assessment Frameworks

Once threats are identified, leverage established frameworks like ISO 22301 and NIST to measure vulnerabilities effectively. Conduct a detailed vulnerability assessment covering core systems, connected devices, third-party integrations, and backup infrastructure.

Use threat modelling to map out critical data flows and identify weak points, particularly in systems managing sensitive information or critical operations. For supply chain risks, adopt Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) principles to gain a clear understanding of your vendors, tools, and third-party libraries. The NIST Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF) offers guidance for securing software supply chains, while SLSA (Supply-chain Levels for Software Artifacts) provides a framework to ensure software integrity.

Gap analyses are another crucial step, helping to identify areas where compliance may be lacking.

Meet Data Sovereignty and Compliance Requirements

Risk assessments must also align with the evolving data protection laws in the GCC, which enforce localised data processing and compliance. This includes understanding the distinct requirements in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan .

Map your data flows to ensure compliance with localisation laws, identifying data that must remain within national borders and understanding restrictions on cross-border transfers.

"Governments across the GCC are taking measurable steps to strengthen their national cybersecurity postures; however, our analysis reveals notable disparities in the scope and maturity of their efforts." – Hiba Rabadi, Managing Director of Arab Advisors Group

This observation highlights the importance of tailoring your risk assessment to the specific regulatory landscape of each GCC country. Beyond meeting legal requirements, consider the strategic implications of data sovereignty, such as concerns over foreign surveillance, cyber threats, and maintaining control over national datasets. Compliance not only ensures regulatory alignment but also strengthens your infrastructure against geopolitical disruptions, securing business continuity and fostering stakeholder trust.

Step 2: Create Backup Systems and Redundancy Plans

After assessing risks, the next step is to establish reliable backup systems and redundancy plans. These systems are crucial for maintaining operations, especially when balancing cost, performance, and geopolitical considerations. With 85% of enterprises adopting multi-cloud strategies, businesses in the GCC region must diversify their infrastructure to address data sovereignty requirements and mitigate the financial impact of cyberattacks, which average a staggering US$6.93 million per incident.

This strategic approach sets the stage for designing the right backup architecture.

Review Your Backup Options

When it comes to contingency planning, understanding your multi-cloud backup options is essential. Spreading data across platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud ensures redundancy and supports faster recovery during outages or ransomware attacks. This multi-provider strategy creates several layers of fail-safes to protect and restore data efficiently.

Multi-region backups are another key component, especially for GCC businesses operating under diverse local regulations. By storing data in different regions, companies can ensure availability even during regional disruptions. Given the geopolitical challenges in the area, this approach is particularly valuable.

One widely recommended method is the 3-2-1 backup rule: maintain three copies of your data on two different media, with one copy stored offsite. Many organisations also implement air-gapped backups in isolated accounts to enhance security. For example, Gulf Air’s migration to the Veeam Data Platform improved data availability and compliance efficiency by 30%.

Automation and orchestration play a crucial role in managing complex backup environments. Standardising storage formats and backup processes ensures that backups remain accessible and portable across platforms. Regular testing is equally important, as it helps verify recovery times, storage costs, and compliance with regulations.

Compare GCC Data Centre Providers

The GCC region offers a growing array of data centre providers, with nearly 250 MW of additional power capacity expected by the end of 2025. When evaluating options, consider factors like sustainability, scalability, and flexibility.

Saudi Arabia leads the region, accounting for nearly 80% of the upcoming power capacity. Providers offering hybrid cloud models are gaining traction in the Middle East, as they allow organisations to maintain on-premises control while benefiting from the flexibility of the cloud. This is especially important for companies navigating data sovereignty requirements.

Focus on Sustainability and New Technology

In addition to capacity and compliance, many providers are prioritising sustainability and technological advancements as part of their offerings.

Sustainability has become a key differentiator. Operators are increasingly integrating renewable energy to meet carbon reduction goals. For instance, Masdar is set to launch a facility capable of producing 1 GW of uninterrupted renewable energy by 2025, with operations starting in 2027. This development will significantly bolster the region’s renewable energy capacity, supporting power-intensive operations like data centres.

DataVolt’s NEOM Center is a prime example of this shift, running entirely on renewable energy and leveraging AI for infrastructure management. Similarly, Moro Hub’s solar-powered data centre in Dubai demonstrates how newer players are adopting environmentally conscious solutions to challenge traditional models.

The focus on technology doesn’t stop at sustainability. Facilities like Ooredoo’s AI-driven data centre in Doha and STC’s expanding cloud centre with localised solutions highlight a move towards specialised, tech-forward infrastructure. These modern facilities often provide more flexible service agreements and innovative approaches compared to older systems.

When choosing a provider, look for those embracing advancements like edge computing, AI integration, and renewable energy. The UAE’s data centre market is projected to reach US$3.33 billion by 2030, growing at a rate of 17.58% annually. This presents a wealth of opportunities for providers that prioritise new technologies and sustainability.

Consider partnering with newer entrants or sustainability-focused providers. They often offer competitive pricing, flexible terms, and the ability to adapt quickly to evolving regulations and technologies, making them strong candidates for long-term contingency planning.

Step 3: Use Both Local and Global Data Centre Resources

To ensure compliance and improve resilience, it's important to integrate both local UAE and global data centre resources into your strategy. The GCC data centre market is expected to double by 2030, yet costs have increased by 9% year-on-year. This evolving landscape demands a thoughtful approach to infrastructure planning.

Balance Local UAE and International Infrastructure

A balanced infrastructure strategy is key: leverage local resources to meet data sovereignty requirements while tapping into international facilities for added resilience.

For instance, in 2022, Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched its Middle East (UAE) Region, allowing businesses to host applications and store data locally. This is particularly critical for sectors like finance and healthcare that must adhere to strict data residency rules. AWS also offers Local Zones in Oman and AWS Outposts for on-premises deployments, addressing both data residency and low-latency needs.

Hybrid cloud and colocation strategies provide greater control over sensitive data while ensuring compliance with residency laws. To design an effective hybrid approach, consider these steps:

• Evaluate international data transfers to ensure they align with regulatory requirements.
• Update vendor agreements to reflect UAE data protection standards.

Once your infrastructure meets compliance standards, the next step is to enhance performance and manage cross-border data flows effectively.

Reduce Latency and Manage Cross-Border Data

Managing data across different regions requires a focus on optimising performance. Slow-loading websites, for example, can significantly impact user engagement - pages taking over 5.7 seconds to load may see conversion rates drop below 0.6%, while a one-second delay can reduce conversion rates by 2.11%.

To combat these challenges, invest in solutions like high-speed networks, content delivery networks (CDNs), and edge computing. Edge computing processes data closer to its source, cutting down transmission times to centralised servers. High-Performance Computing systems, parallel processing, and streamlined data pipelines can further boost processing speeds. Additionally, upgrading servers, storage systems, and databases, or incorporating GPUs for demanding computational tasks, can help minimise delays.

Real-time processing tools such as Kafka, Apache Flink, and AWS Kinesis, alongside platforms like Acceldata, can address latency issues with machine learning-driven insights and end-to-end observability. Strengthen cross-border data transfers with encryption, secure transfer protocols, and compression techniques to reduce transmission times. Finally, maintain detailed documentation of data flows and transfer mechanisms to ensure compliance during audits.

Address Problems with Current Market Leaders

Legacy data centre providers often face challenges like outdated infrastructure, inflexible contracts, and limited focus on sustainability. This has opened the door for independent developers offering more modern and adaptable solutions.

The colocation market in the Middle East is projected to hit US$2.14 billion by 2028, fuelled by demand for alternatives to traditional providers. In 2023, Saudi Arabia introduced its Cloud Computing Special Economic Zone (CCSEZ), providing tax incentives and streamlined processes that are expected to account for 30% of the Kingdom's ICT spending by 2030.

Sustainability is also becoming a key factor. For example, renewable energy currently powers only 20% of telecom energy needs, yet it accounts for up to 20% of operational costs. Companies like Masdar aim to deliver 1 GW of renewable energy by 2027. The Middle East offers strategic advantages, including access to global markets and opportunities for renewable energy investment. Lower land costs and electricity tariffs in Saudi Arabia and the UAE - ranging from US$0.05 to US$0.06 per kWh, compared to the US average of US$0.09 to US$0.15 per kWh - make partnering with independent, locally focused developers an attractive option. These developers are building purpose-driven data centres with modern sustainability practices, aligning with the broader push for greener and more efficient solutions.

Step 4: Build Incident Response and Business Continuity Plans

To tackle the rise in cyberattacks and geopolitical disruptions, GCC enterprises need well-structured incident response and business continuity plans. These plans ensure readiness to handle both digital threats and political events that could interrupt operations. This step shifts the focus from proactive planning to being fully prepared for immediate response.

Create a Comprehensive Incident Response Plan

Start by forming a dedicated Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) to coordinate and manage responses. Use a six-step framework - Preparation, Identification, Containment, Eradication, Recovery, and Lessons Learned - with special emphasis on preparation. This includes setting clear policies, assigning roles, and conducting regular practice drills to ensure readiness.

A strong communication plan is essential. Define escalation paths and include multilingual protocols to support cross-border operations. Document every action taken during an incident to maintain accountability and improve future responses. Regular drills are crucial - they help team members stay confident and effective under pressure.

Collaborate with Local Authorities and Regulators

Each GCC market has its own set of compliance and regulatory requirements, making it vital to localise strategies effectively. Localisation isn’t just about translating documents - it’s about working with local legal and compliance experts, offering tailored training, and maintaining open communication with regulators and industry groups. Staying ahead of regulatory changes requires continuous monitoring, regular audits, and independent assessments to validate processes.

For instance, in the UAE, data residency and cross-border transfer rules are particularly important. Incident response plans must include specific measures to manage data securely while adhering to these local standards.

Test and Update Business Continuity Plans

Building on existing redundancy measures, regularly test and refine your business continuity plans. These plans should ensure that operations can continue smoothly during extended disruptions, whether from cyberattacks or geopolitical events. Simulate various scenarios during drills to uncover weaknesses in systems, communication, and decision-making processes.

As your organisation evolves - with partnerships and cloud strategies advancing - update your continuity plans to reflect these changes. After every drill or real-life incident, review and adjust your response strategies. Consider regional dynamics like political tensions, shifting trade relationships, and other interdependencies, and develop alternative approaches for unforeseen challenges. By investing in compliance expertise, advanced technologies, and efficient processes, GCC enterprises can centralise their regulatory efforts and streamline responses across multiple markets.

Step 5: Set Up Continuous Monitoring and Regular Updates

Maintaining a strong digital infrastructure requires more than just planning - it demands constant vigilance and adaptability. As geopolitical dynamics shift and regulations evolve across the GCC, businesses must prioritise continuous monitoring and stay informed about emerging threats to minimise disruptions.

Use Monitoring Tools and Track Key Metrics

The first step in effective monitoring is choosing the right tools to oversee the health and performance of your IT infrastructure. These tools should enable real-time tracking and allow for proactive decisions when issues arise.

Here are some monitoring solutions tailored for GCC enterprises, with pricing in AED:

• Dynatrace: AED 40.40/month
• Site24x7: AED 33.05/month
• Raygun: AED 14.70/month
• eG Enterprise: AED 3,670/month
• New Relic: Free tier available

To ensure your infrastructure remains resilient, focus on key performance indicators like network latency between primary and backup data centres, data replication success rates, and recovery time objectives. Leveraging AI-driven analytics can help predict potential issues before they escalate, enabling your team to act before problems become critical.

The importance of continuous monitoring is underscored by current trends: 43% of enterprises worry their network infrastructure might hinder their GenAI initiatives, and 81% are revisiting their cloud strategies.

Incorporating regional threat intelligence into your monitoring strategy is the next step.

Add GCC-Specific Threat Intelligence

Regional threat intelligence is essential for understanding the unique challenges faced by GCC enterprises. Cybersecurity risks in the region are increasingly tied to broader geopolitical developments.

As digital transformation expands the attack surface, businesses need specialised monitoring to address these risks. Incorporate intelligence that tracks regional political shifts, trade developments, and regulatory updates. Monitoring social networks and industry forums can also help distinguish routine technical issues from signs of larger geopolitical disruptions.

By combining key metrics with regional insights, you can refine your contingency plans to stay ahead of evolving risks.

Adjust Plans for Regulatory and Political Changes

The regulatory environment in the GCC is constantly evolving, particularly with new data sovereignty laws. For instance, both Saudi Arabia and the UAE now require sensitive data to be stored within their national borders.

"The Gulf states are investing heavily in sovereign, sustainable, and secure data infrastructure, recasting data centres as engines of economic transformation, security resilience, and geopolitical influence."

• Kristian Alexander

To keep your contingency plans relevant, review them regularly - either quarterly or whenever significant political or regulatory changes occur. This ensures your strategies align with updated data localisation requirements and cross-border transfer restrictions.

As Niket Karajagi from Atyaasaa Consulting notes:

"Geopolitical shocks aren't outliers anymore; they're the new baseline. From trade wars and cyberattacks to regulatory…"

This highlights the importance of building flexibility into your monitoring and response systems. Document any updates to your plans and ensure your monitoring tools are configured to track compliance with new regulations. While automation can handle routine compliance checks, human oversight is critical for interpreting complex regulatory changes. Regular audits should confirm that your systems capture all necessary metrics and that your response plans remain compliant.

A dynamic monitoring strategy - one that provides early warnings about both technical and regulatory changes - empowers businesses to respond proactively to geopolitical challenges.

Conclusion: Building Resilient Infrastructure During Political Uncertainty

The five-step framework outlined earlier provides GCC enterprises with the tools to navigate the challenges posed by geopolitical risks. Each step - whether it’s assessing risks or ensuring continuous monitoring - plays a critical role in building resilience. As Niket Karajagi from Atyaasaa Consulting points out:

"To navigate geopolitical tensions, Global Capability Centers must build agile, diversified operating models that balance geographic spread with strategic depth. Investing in risk intelligence, digital resilience, and cross-border collaboration will be key to sustaining competitiveness and stability in a fragmented global environment."

The stakes are high. Cybercrime alone is projected to cost $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, and companies that embrace agility see 37% faster revenue growth and 30% higher profits. This makes having a robust contingency plan not just advisable but essential.

Success hinges on thorough risk assessments, diversified infrastructure, and the ability to adapt continuously. Contingency plans must evolve to keep pace with shifting regulations and geopolitical realities. This means moving beyond static, one-time evaluations to embrace ongoing monitoring of third-party relationships and regulatory changes.

The region is undergoing rapid transformation. Trends like nearshoring and friendshoring are reshaping operational strategies. Forward-thinking GCC enterprises are seizing this opportunity by building partnerships across multiple jurisdictions while ensuring compliance with local regulations. This includes implementing cross-border controls and auditing trade partners.

Technology is a crucial ally in this effort. Tools like AI analytics and IoT monitoring can strengthen resilience, but they must be part of a broader strategy that addresses both technical vulnerabilities and regulatory demands.

As Ambassador Dana Shell Smith from Teneo highlights, the GCC's influence is growing:

"In addition to rapid economic diversification, the countries of the GCC are increasingly shaping global geopolitical dynamics, demonstrating the breadth and depth of their influence."

FAQs

How can businesses in the GCC comply with local data sovereignty laws while using global data centres?

To align with local data sovereignty laws, businesses in the GCC should focus on hosting sensitive information within the country or the broader GCC region. This can be achieved by utilising local data centres that adhere to national regulations. Given the strict data residency rules in many GCC countries, partnering with regional providers operating facilities within the UAE or other GCC nations is a practical way to ensure compliance.

For operations involving global data centres, adopting hybrid cloud strategies can strike the right balance. This approach involves hosting critical data locally while leveraging global platforms for less sensitive tasks. It’s also essential to implement compliance frameworks that align with both GCC-specific regulations and international standards. Collaborating with legal and cybersecurity experts can further help businesses navigate national laws while maintaining the flexibility needed for smooth operations.

How can GCC enterprises incorporate sustainability into their digital infrastructure planning?

To make digital infrastructure planning more environmentally conscious, GCC enterprises should focus on integrating renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. These energy options align perfectly with the region's abundant natural resources and can play a major role in reducing the carbon footprint of data centres.

In addition to this, implementing energy-efficient technologies - such as AI-powered systems, IoT tools, and advanced cooling techniques - can boost operational efficiency while keeping Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals on track.

Partnering with sustainability-driven data centre providers within the GCC is another smart move. Such collaborations not only align with local environmental efforts but also offer businesses greater flexibility. By stepping away from traditional methods and embracing forward-thinking solutions, organisations can strike a balance between operational reliability and environmental care.

How can GCC businesses safeguard their digital infrastructure against regional conflicts and cyber threats?

To safeguard their digital infrastructure, businesses in the GCC need to embrace a well-rounded cybersecurity strategy. This approach should tackle both the risks tied to geopolitical tensions and the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats. Key measures include setting up strong defences against AI-powered attacks, phishing attempts, and social engineering schemes.

Another critical step is diversifying data centre providers. Opt for regional providers that deliver adaptable and efficient solutions, rather than relying solely on long-standing players often criticised for lacking innovation. Building strong regional partnerships and aligning with global best practices can further enhance operational resilience and ensure smooth business operations, even during turbulent periods.

By staying ahead of potential threats and adopting solutions tailored to their needs, organisations can protect their vital infrastructure and maintain stability in uncertain times.