RIYADH — The Internet of Everything (IoE) or the “network connections of people, process, data and things” can generate SR59.1 billion ($14.3 billion) for Saudi Arabia's public sector over the next decade, according to a survey. At a press conference held at the Cisco Connect KSA 2014, Cisco's Managing Director for Saudi Arabia Dr Tarig Enaya said the study said the IoE can help the Saudi government create value by saving money, improving employee productivity, generating new revenue and enhancing citizen benefits. Cisco defines the IoE as the networked connection of people, process, data and things, and the increased value that occurs as “everything” is connected to the network. In the study, Cisco estimated that the value for the Kingdom's public sector can be realized on two levels – city and citizen. At city level the value over the next decade is projected at SR51.1 billion ($12.3 billion). The company identified the top five avenues through which government can deliver on this value which include strategies around the following areas: smart grid, cyber security, travel, mobile collaboration and chronic disease management. At a citizen level the value at stake is projected at SR 7 billion ($1.9 billion) for the country. Cisco identifies the following as the top five avenues through which government can tap into the IoE value on a citizen level: payments, counterfeit drug programs, chronic disease management, telework and smart street lighting. Cisco executives also outlined the findings of Cisco sponsored research conducted by IDC in seven countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Saudi Arabia, with the largest population in the Gulf at approximately 28 million, faces the most severe skills challenge, with a total networking skills gap of 73 percent in 2012 and growing. The reason for this gap is largely due to a lack of technically qualified Saudi nationals, resulting in Saudi organizations having to rely on expatriat and often temporary or fly-in IT workforce. The key findings of the research into the networking skills gap in Saudi Arabia include the following: • A very high value is placed on the importance of the network in Saudi Arabia, with 96 percent of respondents believing the network will become more important to them in the future. • Almost 40 percent of Saudi organizations found it difficult to find networking professionals with the right kinds of skill. • Communication skills were rated as the most important non-technical skill needed in Saudi Arabia (66 percent ) with English cited as the most significant challenge facing those who found hiring networking professionals a challenge. • Professional certifications are given high importance in Saudi Arabia, with 90 percent of respondents believing these to be important when hiring networking professionals. The Saudi government acknowledges these challenges and significant amounts of investment and effort have gone not only into improving IT literacy in the country but also in encouraging investment in ICT and development of skills. Cisco is committed to working with the government and organizations in the Kingdom to support job creation by building ICT skills and talent as well as creating the opportunities to use those skills. As a result, the Cisco Networking Academy program is partnering with educational institutions, government administrations and community-based organizations to deliver information and communications technology (ICT) education through effective in-classroom learning combined with innovative cloud-based curricula and tools to prepare students for careers in the 21st-century global economy. For example, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) has had a Cisco Networking Academy since 2013, with successful CCNA graduates. Likewise Cisco has partnered with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) and Networking Academy courses have included in diplomas their training units. — SG
