Mohammed Nabeel Zubair, PhD, Senior Cybersecurity & Risk Compliance Engineer | AI-Driven Security Strategist
It’s tough to ignore a number like $4.88 million. That was the average cost of a data breach in 2024. This isn’t just a figure pulled from a report—it represents the very real, often devastating financial toll that organizations around the world are facing today. But here’s the part that should really make us pause: attackers can get started with as little as $100. A mere dollar can buy 16GB of stolen personal data. The economics of cybercrime are completely upside down.
After more than two decades in cybersecurity, I’ve seen this shift unfold firsthand. I’ve worked in high-risk environments where cyber threats weren’t just possibilities—they were daily realities. In those roles, I learned quickly that a single vulnerability—an unpatched system, a weak password, a misconfigured service—can open the door to major consequences. There’s no room for guesswork when the stakes are that high.
Today, I lead cybersecurity and risk compliance for Makita Gulf FZE in Dubai. We’ve moved decisively toward AI-driven security models and Zero Trust principles—not because it’s trendy, but because it works. That shift has helped us reduce our exposure to cyber threats by nearly 45%. We’ve aligned closely with global compliance frameworks such as NIST, ISO 27001, GDPR, and CMMC, but more importantly, we’ve built a culture of continuous defense.
What’s more alarming now is how data—your identity, health records, financial history—is treated like a throwaway product. It’s bought and sold cheaply, often repackaged and distributed across shadow marketplaces. And while criminals profit, companies are left cleaning up the mess, often under public and regulatory scrutiny.
We need to go beyond reactive defenses. That means:
– Implementing Zero Trust as a default—verify everything, trust nothing.
– Using AI and automation not just to detect threats, but to anticipate them.
– Elevating cybersecurity literacy across the board—from interns to executives.
– And investing in people. The shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals isn’t just a hiring problem—it’s a national risk. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring over 200 professionals globally, helping them take on roles that matter.
A breach doesn’t just cost money. It delays projects. Damages reputation. Undermines public trust. And in some cases, it puts critical services and lives at risk. The bottom line? Cybersecurity isn’t an IT issue—it’s a business priority, a boardroom concern, and a shared responsibility.
If we don’t take it seriously, we’ll keep paying the price. But if we invest wisely—in people, in systems, and in strategy—we can change the story. Because in the end, this is about more than protecting data. It’s about protecting what data represents: people, livelihoods, and the future of organizations.
