Doha: Technology and cyber security experts have warned that building trust and protecting user data must be treated as a strategic priority for digital platforms, amid a rise in cyber attacks and growing reliance on digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

According to Qatar News Agency, the warning came during a panel discussion on the second day of Web Summit Qatar 2026. Speakers included Thani Ali Al Malki, Chief Strategy and Digital Transformation Officer at Ooredoo; Michael Jordan, CEO of Gem Soft; and Nick Lamb, CEO of Outcode Software.

The panelists said many companies still treat trust as an issue that can be postponed, arguing that delaying its integration into digital products and user interactions leads to accumulated vulnerabilities that are more difficult and costly to address later.

They cautioned that fast-paced digital product development and continuous experimentation should not come at the expense of security and user trust, stressing that organizations bear responsibility for safeguarding user data. Several high-profile data breaches and cyber intrusions, they noted, have caused long-term damage to platforms' reputations and eroded user confidence.

The speakers highlighted the need to strike a balance between strong verification systems and ease of use. While robust authentication enhances trust, they said, overly complex systems can negatively affect user experience. Instead, they advocated adopting different levels of verification based on data sensitivity and the nature of digital transactions.

The panel concluded that the future of digital security depends on balancing flexibility and user-friendly design with stringent data protection - a challenge that has become one of the defining issues of the digital age.