The Middle East’s rapid digital transformation has created both opportunities and vulnerabilities. As cyberattacks on financial institutions, government agencies, and energy sectors rise, organizations are increasingly turning to biometric multi-factor authentication (MFA) as a critical security measure.
Traditional password-based authentication is no longer sufficient to combat modern cyber threats. As cybercriminals deploy AI-driven attacks, phishing schemes, and credential-stuffing techniques, biometric MFA has emerged as a more secure and efficient solution.
The Increase in Cyber Threats in Recent Years and the Use of Biometric MFA
Critical infrastructures and financial institutions in the Middle East region have suffered numerous breaches in recent years, including data theft. The biometric MFA technology to be used provides a double layer of protection against these threats. Sectors that are more vulnerable to attacks include the energy, telecommunications, and public sectors. And these sectors are rapidly adopting biometric solutions to increase their security.
Cyberattacks target various industries, including government agencies, financial institutions, and telecom operators. Even consumer-facing platforms such as online banking services, e-commerce sites, and digital gambling platforms are vulnerable to credential theft and account takeovers. To avoid these risks, industries are turning to biometric MFA for stronger identity verification. While banking and telecom providers lead the way, other sectors—including digital entertainment and gaming—are also recognizing the need for heightened security. Users looking for secure gambling platforms should prioritize sites that implement biometric authentication and advanced encryption to safeguard their accounts from cyber threats.
Why Biometric MFA is Rapidly Adopted
In fact, there are several different factors that have triggered the rapid adoption of this technology. First of all, we can talk about legal regulations. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have introduced stringent cybersecurity frameworks, including the UAE’s National Cybersecurity Strategy and Saudi Arabia’s Essential Cybersecurity Controls (ECC). These regulations mandate the use of biometric authentication technologies to enhance digital identity protection and prevent unauthorized access to critical systems. In addition to these, technological developments around the world have also paved the way for this use. Artificial intelligence and machine learning have made great progress in recent years, and this causes biometric verification to be completed faster and more accurately.
The last point to mention is user demand. Technology is evolving, and financial institutions and critical infrastructures also need to increase their security. In this direction, in order to avoid being victimized by cyberattacks, both individual users and companies are trying to reach solutions that are both easier and can increase their security and try to adapt to strategies that can protect their businesses.
Which Applications Stand Out in the Region
If we need to talk about prominent applications, it would be more understandable to give examples with numbers. Morocco issued more than 4.6 million biometric ID cards in 2024, and the UAE Pass, the UAE’s digital identity platform, saw enrollments of 7.2 million. Meanwhile, Egypt’s national bank has also integrated biometrics to improve the security of both its users and employees and has done so for logins. Such national initiatives have helped to bring biometrics to the forefront and show people how secure it is. Vulnerabilities in the region are being quickly addressed through the transition to biometrics.
Africa is also facing these cyber risks, and many of the businesses there have decided to develop many different strategies to mitigate these cyber risks for the new year. 42% of organizations in the Middle East are turning to such governments in line with the Basic Cybersecurity Controls in Saudi Arabia.
Do People Recognize the Importance of These Technologies
This technology continues to advance rapidly in these regions, but the figures show that 19% of companies in Africa and 12% of companies in the Middle East are investing in these technologies. As cyber threats evolve, wider adoption of biometric MFA is crucial to strengthening digital trust in the Middle East. By integrating AI-powered biometric authentication into national security frameworks and enterprise systems, organizations can mitigate cyber risks, protect sensitive data, and comply with emerging regulations. It is critical that a wider audience adopt this technology so that potential problems can be easily avoided.