AhnLab reaffirms global leadership in cybersecurity at GCF 2025

South Korea's cybersecurity giant AhnLab noted on Oct. 3 that it has taken part in the Global Cybersecurity Forum Annual Meeting 2025 (GCF 2025), presenting its perspectives on the global security challenges.

The GCF, hosted by Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority, is an international platform designed to strengthen global collaboration on cybersecurity. 

AhnLab, which was the only Korean security company invited in 2023 and 2024, was represented this year by founder Ahn Cheol-soo and CEO Kang Suk-kyoon, marking three consecutive years of participation.

At this year’s forum, held under the theme “Scaling Cohesive Advancement in Cyberspace,” Ahn joined a session about cybersecurity's economic impact, which was co-hosted by the Center for Cyber Economics and the World Economic Forum. 

“Cyberattacks are no longer just technical incidents. They are macroeconomic risks that shake national economies, global trade, and investor trust,” he said. “Cybersecurity investment is not a cost to prevent damage, but a strategic investment that creates new value and drives growth.”

Identifying finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and supply chains as especially vulnerable areas, he raised the need for stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors. 

The AhnLab founder concluded that cybersecurity must be seen as an infrastructure for growth and innovation.

Localization & AI-driven threats

CEO Kang participated in the Cyber CxO Meeting, organized by the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE), where he joined discussions with international leaders on localized security strategies and AI-driven cyber defense.

“As data localization and regulations are being strengthened in many countries, security companies must meet local requirements while maintaining global-level trust and service quality,” Kang noted. 

“AI is both a tool for innovation and a weapon for attackers, which means AI-based security strategies must be proactive, adaptive, and continuously evolving."

To deal with such threats, Kang said that AhnLab has developed an agentic AI security platform, AhnLab AI PLUS, which enhances detection, analysis, and response, with the aim of delivering more intelligent and active cybersecurity.

AhnLab said that it has been working to expand its presence in the Middle East. 

Following the establishment of Rakeen in 2024, its joint venture with SITE, the company has focused on building local infrastructure and developing localized products. 

Beginning in late 2025, Rakeen started rolling out various products and solutions tailored to local needs.

Looking ahead, AhnLab plans to broaden its product portfolio to include AI-based security and operational technology protection, strengthening its role within the Middle East cybersecurity ecosystem, according to the firm.

Since its launch in 2020 during Saudi Arabia’s G20 Presidency, the Global Cybersecurity Forum has become one of the leading venues for international cooperation on cybersecurity. 

The 2025 edition of the annual gathering brought together government officials, business leaders, and academics..