Tech News
Cyber economics and the risk to critical infrastructure
By Heidi Crebo-Rediker, Senior Fellow for Geoeconomics, Council on Foreign Relations

(She is also a speaker at the Global Cybersecurity Forum Annual Meeting 2025.)
In debates on economic security, cyber economics is too often overlooked. Many still frame cyber threats as company-level problems, where firms worry about ransomware, retailers fear stolen data, and banks focus on hacked payment systems. However, the more consequential danger is collective: cyberattacks on critical infrastructure with the power to unleash cascading disruptions across entire economies. This systemic risk remains under-appreciated, even as attacks grow in scope, sophistication, and geopolitical consequence.
From corporate risk to macroeconomic shock
The greatest danger lies not in a single server, but in the complex systems that underpin modern commerce. Electricity grids, water utilities, transportation networks, ports, airports, and undersea cables carry the weight of global connectivity. While automation and software increase efficiency, they also multiply vulnerabilities.
A prolonged disruption to any one of these systems can paralyze thousands of businesses. Multiple disruptions at once could be catastrophic. The 2021 winter storm in Texas, though caused by weather rather than malware, is a sobering example. The blackout cost up to $130 billion and crippled supply chains, health services, and agriculture. Imagine a hostile actor triggering similar failures via cyberattack, deliberately timed for maximum damage. The result would not only devastate individual entities but also generate a macroeconomic shock—akin to a natural disaster colliding with a financial crisis.
The growing threat landscape
State-backed hackers and criminal groups are already probing these vulnerabilities. The Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in 2021 exposed how fragile logistics networks can be, while the more recent Volt Typhoon campaign embedded malware inside U.S. critical infrastructure. Unlike espionage, such intrusions appear designed to disrupt the civilian economy at scale, undermining both national resilience and military readiness.
The threat is also global. Attacks on undersea cables—vital arteries of the digital economy—are no longer hypothetical. With artificial intelligence accelerating offensive capabilities, adversaries can now identify weaknesses faster and automate attacks at scale. As a result, the risk curve is steepening, placing both advanced and developing economies in danger.
The field of cyber economics
Traditional economics treats cyber risk as a minor externality to be covered by insurance. In contrast, cyber economics reframes these risks as systemic. The more integrated and digitized an economy becomes, the more vulnerable it is to disruption. Elevating cyber threats from technical concerns to macroeconomic risks sharpens the case for sustained investment in resilience.
Without realistic, economy-wide accounting of costs, both governments and markets will continue to underinvest in defense and the skilled workforce required. Initiatives such as the Global Cybersecurity Forum–World Economic Forum Center for Cyber Economics, particularly when joined by institutions like the IMF, World Bank, and OECD, represent important first steps.
Who polices, who pays?
The governance dilemma complicates the picture. In the United States, most critical infrastructure is privately owned, meaning investment decisions often follow commercial incentives rather than national resilience. Large utilities may field advanced defenses, while smaller authorities lack the means to keep pace. Even the best-prepared firms cannot realistically deter state-backed attackers without government coordination and international collaboration.
Meanwhile, state-led economies often mandate cybersecurity standards and assume direct responsibility for protecting infrastructure. Liberal democracies, however, struggle to enforce baselines or require immediate reporting. Legal restrictions and fragmented oversight create uneven defenses, leaving the broader economy exposed to “weakest link” failures. The unresolved question of who ultimately pays—federal taxpayers, private firms, or local governments—further delays progress.
The allied dimension
Because cyber threats transcend borders, national strategies alone are insufficient. Attacks on shared assets such as undersea cables, power grids, or data networks ripple across continents. Therefore, allies must elevate cyber resilience as a shared economic security priority. Intelligence sharing, collaborative monitoring, and joint investment in defensive infrastructure can help close gaps that no single nation can address on its own.
A call to action
What is needed now is a paradigm shift. Policymakers, investors, and regulators must recognize that cyber threats to critical infrastructure represent potential macroeconomic shocks, not isolated corporate challenges. The rise of cyber economics highlights that in an interconnected world, cyber defense is economic defense. Ignoring this reality risks overlooking one of the defining macroeconomic threats of our time.
Read our previous post, H-1B visa fee hike rattles tech and global markets
Tech News
EMARAT SUPPORTS HSE EXPO UNDERSCORING HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP

Emirates Petroleum Company PJSC (Emarat), a pioneer in the UAE’s oil and gas industry, is participating as Official Partner of HSE-Expo 2026, taking place on 1 and 2 April 2026 at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre in Sharjah.
Organised by Sharjah National Oil Corporation and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Chairman of the Petroleum Department and President of Sharjah National Oil Corporation, the event brings together industry leaders, specialists, researchers, and stakeholders to advance dialogue around health, safety and environmental priorities across the region.
Emarat’s participation reflects the company’s continued focus on strengthening workplace safety, supporting responsible environmental practices, and aligning its operations with recognised regional and international standards. It also reinforces the company’s view that health, safety, and environmental performance is integral to operational excellence, long term resilience and responsible growth across the energy value chain.
Burhan Al Hashemi, Chief Executive Officer of Emarat, said: “At Emarat, health, safety and environment is a leadership priority embedded across every level of the organization. It shapes how we operate, how we invest and how we build a culture of accountability and care. Across our fuel, aviation fuel, lubricants, LPG, and natural gas businesses, HSE is fundamental to operational discipline, business continuity and the trust our customers and partners place in us. Our participation in HSE Expo 2026 reflects our commitment to raising standards, supporting responsible industry practices, and contributing to a safer and more sustainable operating environment.”
Emarat applies health, safety, and environmental discipline across its operations as part of its broader commitment to operational excellence and responsible growth. From frontline safety practices and process discipline to environmental stewardship and continuous improvement, the company views HSE as a business imperative that supports resilience, strengthens trust, and underpins performance across its fuel, aviation fuel, lubricants, LPG and natural gas businesses.
Furthermore, HSE standards are central to every product category Emarat operates in, including LPG. As a provider of composite LPG cylinders, Emarat adheres to global HSE industry standards in this product category among all others, underscoring the company’s commitment to safety and environmental responsibility across all aspects of its business.
Ali AlAstad Alhammadi, Vice President, Health, Safety, Environment and Quality, Emarat, said: “HSE Expo provides an important platform for industry stakeholders to exchange practical insight, share best practice and strengthen collaboration around issues that are central to workforce safety and environmental stewardship. For Emarat, this is an opportunity to engage with the wider HSE community and support continued progress in standards, awareness, and performance across the sector. We are grateful to SNOC for organizing this important platform and we look forward to continued collaboration and future participation”
HSE Expo 2026 serves as an important regional platform for advancing dialogue on workplace safety, environmental responsibility, and industry best practice. By bringing together energy leaders, technical specialists, researchers and stakeholders, the event supports knowledge exchange around the standards and innovations shaping safer and more sustainable operations across the region.
Tech News
ALTERYX EXPANDS REGIONAL LEADERSHIP WITH SABYA SEN TO LEAD IMEA & APAC

Alteryx Inc., a leading AI-ready data and analytics company, today announced the appointment of Sabya Sen as Vice President, IMEA & APAC, to lead its business across India, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific (IMEA & APAC). In this role, Sen will focus on accelerating customer outcomes and scaling adoption of the Alteryx One platform across some of the world’s fastest-growing markets for AI and data innovation.
Sen brings deep regional expertise and a strong track record of execution to this role. Most recently, he served as Vice President, Head of UKI & Emerging Markets Europe at Alteryx, where he drove consistent growth, built high-performing teams, and strengthened customer relationships across global markets.
The appointment comes at a critical phase for AI adoption globally and across IMEA and APAC, where governments and enterprises are increasing investments in digital transformation. In the Middle East, national strategies like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and UAE’s We the UAE 2031 are accelerating innovation agendas. The region’s AI market is projected to reach $320 billion USD, while globally, 89% of leaders plan to maintain or increase AI budgets in 2026. Despite this momentum, many organizations remain in pilot phases, underscoring the need for scalable, governed analytics solutions that can support enterprise-wide AI adoption.
“It is my priority to continue delivering meaningful outcomes for our customers and community,” said Sabya Sen, Vice President, IMEA & APAC. “Across the Middle East, India, and Asia-Pacific, we are seeing unprecedented momentum driven by ambitious national transformation agendas. These efforts are accelerating economic diversification, advancing digital innovation, and firmly positioning these regions as global hubs for data and AI-led growth.”
Prior to joining Alteryx, Sen spent 11 years at Salesforce in a variety of leadership roles, supporting customers across the insurance, financial services, and healthcare industries, where he helped organizations leverage data and technology to transform their operations. In his new role, Sen will focus on helping organizations move beyond experimentation to enterprise-scale AI adoption by delivering trusted, AI-ready data and analytics through the Alteryx One platform.
“Over the past few years, Sabya has had a tremendous impact on Alteryx and has demonstrated a remarkable level of focus, discipline, and strong commercial execution,” said Jason Janicke, Senior Vice President, EMEA & APJ at Alteryx. “He has delivered results, built a strong team culture, and consistently raised the bar. We can’t wait to see the impact that Sabya has in this next role.”
Tech News
VERTIV EXPANDS THERMAL PORTFOLIO WITH NEW WALL-MOUNT COOLING SYSTEM FOR EDGE AND SMALL DATA ROOMS IN EMEA

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, today announced the launch of the Vertiv™ CoolPhase Wall, a space-saving, wall-mount cooling system designed for small IT spaces and edge environments. The system is designed for the needs of IT equipment, removing heat and enabling continuous operation while taking up zero floor space. Vertiv CoolPhase Wall is available now across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
As distributed computing becomes more critical to business operations, compact IT environments need high-quality thermal control designed for sensitive electronic systems. However, many are still using comfort cooling systems designed for human comfort rather than addressing the high sensible heat ratio (SHR) and higher airflow requirements of IT equipment. Vertiv CoolPhase Wall addresses this gap with a purpose-built system that provides the required SHR along with integrated monitoring and control capabilities to protect equipment and enable24/7 operational continuity.
Built for installation flexibility, the Vertiv CoolPhase Wall features a split system with an indoor wall-mounted cooling unit. The system delivers up to 60% greater airflow than standard comfort cooling systems and leverages variable-speed compressors and variable speed fans to modulate to meet heat load demand and improve energy efficiency to enable operational cost reductions.
Designed to handle thermal loads up to 11 kW, the Vertiv CoolPhase Wall is engineered to operate reliably in outdoor ambient temperatures ranging from -35 to 48℃. The system features the Vertiv™ Liebert® iCOM™ operational control, which enables local configuration and supervision of key operating parameters. For extended visibility and remote access, the Vertiv CoolPhase Wall includes onboard remote communication capability to provide real-time alerts and operational status through a secure web interface.
The Vertiv™ CoolPhase Wall utilizes R-32 refrigerant, a low-global warming potential (GWP) alternative that reduces environmental impact while maintaining thermal performance. This positions Vertiv ahead of evolving regulatory requirements, including the European Union’s F-Gas regulations that restrict the use of high-GWP refrigerants. While many comfort cooling systems are still transitioning to lower-GWP options, Vertiv is applying these standards to IT-focused cooling, giving organizations confidence that their deployments are aligned with future environmental expectations.
“As IT continues to expand into areas that were not originally intended for high-density electronics, the demand for adaptable and energy-efficient cooling solutions is increasing across EMEA,” said Sam Bainborough, vice president, EMEA thermal business at Vertiv. “The Vertiv CoolPhase Wall is engineered to support continuous operations, enabling customers to maintain reliable, efficient thermal performance in small IT rooms and edge sites year-round.”
Vertiv CoolPhase Wall expands the company’s comprehensive thermal management portfolio, which includes precision cooling system for edge deployments, enterprise data centers, and high-density AI environments, ranging from room-based cooling to direct-to-chip liquid cooling and rear door exchangers.
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