Gulf Business Tech - July 2024

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SHARKNINJA MOVES: THE APPLIANCE GIANT MAKES A SPLASH IN THE UAE

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SAUDI AMBITIONS: WHY THE KINGDOM IS NEXT ON AVAYA’S RADAR

DIALLING INTO THE FUTURE

LAY REN , CEO OF OPPO MEA, TELLS US MORE ABOUT HOW THE PHONE MAKER IS LOOKING TO GET AI INTO MORE HANDS

As consumers’ preferences shift towards digital payments with rising expectations for immediacy and frictionless experience, payments go beyond a transaction and become a powerful touchpoint for businesses to di erentiate themselves.”

Santhosh Rao, SVP MEASA, ACI Worldwide

SPOTLIGHT ON OPPO’S AI REVOLUTION

Lay Ren, CEO of OPPO MEA, shares the features and vision propelling the smart phone brand into a new era of innovation and artificial intelligence

EMBEDDED SOLUTIONS ARE TRANSFORMING THE INSURANCE

SECTOR

The Middle East is making significant strides in financial technology, with embedded finance emerging as a game-changer

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

We explore how technology is being used increasingly to advance sustainable development and progress

NAVIGATING CLOUD SECURITY

We explore the challenges organisations face from cloud adoption and how they can harness its power securely

SAFEGUARDING AGAINST VULNERABILITIES

From cloud intrusions to supply chain vulnerabilities, CrowdStrike’s Roland Daccache o ers insights and recommendations to fortify organisations against evolving threats

HEAD OFFICE: Media One Tower, Dubai Media City, PO Box 2331, Dubai, UAE, Tel: +971 4 427 3000, Fax: +971 4 428 2260, motivate@motivate.ae

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Cover: Freddie N. Colinares

Follow us on social media: Linkedin: Gulf Business/GBTechTalk Facebook: GulfBusiness/ GBTechTalk; Twitter: @GulfBusiness; Instagram: @GulfBusiness

Editor-in-chief

Obaid Humaid Al Tayer

Managing partner and group editor Ian Fairservice

Chief commercial o cer

Anthony Milne anthony@motivate.ae

Publisher Manish Chopra manish.chopra@motivate.ae

EDITORIAL

Group editor

Gareth van Zyl Gareth.Vanzyl@motivate.ae

Editor Neesha Salian neesha@motivate.ae

Digital editor

Marisha Singh marisha.singh@motivate.ae

Senior feature writer

Kudakwashe Muzoriwa Kudakwashe.Muzoriwa@motivate.ae

Senior art director Freddie N. Colinares freddie@motivate.ae

PRODUCTION

General manager – production S Sunil Kumar

Production manager Binu Purandaran

Production supervisor Venita Pinto

SALES & MARKETING

Senior sales manager Sangeetha J S Sangeetha.js@motivate.ae

Digital Sales Director

Mario Saaiby mario.saaiby@motivate.ae

Group marketing manager

Joelle AlBeaino

joelle.albeaino@motivate.ae

SPOTLIGHT ON AI, CLOUD, AND 5G INNOVATION

TECHNOLOGY AND ITS IMPACT ON BUSINESS AND THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY

TOOK CENTER STAGE AT GULF BUSINESS’ DEBUT BUSINESS BREAKFAST EVENT

Gulf Business inaugurated its Business Breakfast series on June 12 with a focus on technology’s transformative impact on business and industry.

The event, held at the Grand Plaza Movenpick Media City, saw close to 100 industry professionals gather for keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.

The morning began with welcome addresses from Gareth van Zyl, group editor, and Manish Chopra, publisher at Gulf Business. Van Zyl underscored the UAE’s pioneering role in technology adoption, highlighting its global ranking for 5G connectivity and advances in e-governance.

“Today, we find ourselves at the intersection of business, real estate, and technology, particularly here in Dubai and the UAE,” van Zyl said. “The UAE’s innovative spirit and rapid adoption of these technologies make it an ideal backdrop for today’s discussions.”

Keynote address

The keynote address was delivered by Atif Rahman, founder and chairman of ORO24 Developments, who highlighted Dubai’s remarkable real estate growth. Rahman attributed this to the visionary leadership of Dubai’s rulers and the government’s proactive role in driving progress.

“Dubai’s unique story is characterised by the government’s proactive role in driving progress,” Rahman said. “As we look to the future, the real estate and construction industries must now harness AI, proptech, and building information modelling to drive progress.”

Tech panel: Exploring AI, Cloud, and 5G

The tech panel, moderated by van Zyl, delved into the transformative impact of technologies such as AI, 5G, cloud adoption, and cybersecurity. The panelists included Mohamed Taha Benssiba, head of AI for Europe South, Middle East, and Africa at Oracle; Vishal Kapil, CIO of GMG; John Casey, MD at TaxReady.ae (Virtuzone); Sunil Kumar Peer, director of Industry Sections at Huawei; and Mohit Pandey, head of Sales, META region at Seagate Technology.

AI adoption and customisation

Intelligent platforms and cloud services

Huawei’s Peer focused on the company’s creation of intelligent platforms for enterprises and governments. “The region now demands ‘everything’ as a service, moving beyond just infrastructure or platform services,” Peer noted. He elaborated on Huawei’s strategy of collaborating with local telcos to o er cloud services that comply with stringent data residency and localisation regulations.

“Customers seek business transformation solutions,” Peer said. “We focus on collaboration across compute, cloud, 5G connectivity, AI, and applications. Cloud serves as the platform for delivering these intelligent applications and solving business problems.”

Bensibba discussed Oracle’s approach to AI, di erentiating between ‘shapers’ who adapt AI models to their specific needs and ‘makers’ who build custom AI solutions. “We o er tools to help ‘shapers’ train and tweak existing AI models to fit their unique requirements,” Bensibba explained. He highlighted Oracle’s support for startups and large organisations in the region aiming to lead in AI development, mentioning that “three of the top five AI training companies in the world leverage our platform.”

Innovations in data storage

Seagate’s Pandey highlighted the company’s role in data storage innovations, emphasizing the importance of increasing storage capacity to meet the demands of new technologies like AI and IoT. “By increasing hard drive capacity to 30 terabytes and aiming for 100 terabytes, we set new standards in data storage,” Pandey said. He explained that this innovation reduces the total cost of ownership, making large-scale data storage more accessible and cost-e ective.

Technology driving efficiency

Retail giant GMG’s Kapil explained how technology has evolved from an enabling function to a stabilising force within companies. “It’s technology that is driving organisations today,” Kapil stated. He also stressed the importance of evolving interfaces to meet future consumer expectations, particularly as younger generations interact di erently with technology.

AI in accounting and automation

Taxready’s Casey shared insights on the impact of AI and

automation on the accounting industry, especially through VirtuZone’s innovations. “While AI is starting to replace jobs traditionally held by accountants, bespoke and complex work still requires human expertise,” Casey noted. He mentioned TaxGPT, an AI-driven tool developed by Taxready.ae, which has started to commoditise advisory services, marking a significant shi t in the accounting industry.

Real estate panel insights

While the tech panel took center stage, the event also featured two more keynote addresses from well-known names in Dubai’s real estate sector: Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of äm Properties, highlighted Dubai’s robust real estate growth to the audience, while Alex Zagrebelny, founder of R.Evolution Group, emphasised sustainability in construction and its impact on wellbeing.

More to come

The event concluded with van Zyl thanking all participants and sponsors, including Oracle, ORO24 Developments, GMG, TaxReady.ae, Huawei, Seagate Technology, äm Properties, R.Evolution Group, Bayut & dubizzle, and Prosper Real Estate.

EMBRACING THE FUTURE: OPPO’S AI REVOLUTION

IN A RAPIDLY EVOLVING TECH LANDSCAPE, OPPO IS POSITIONING ITSELF AT THE FOREFRONT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BY DEEPLY INTEGRATING GENERATIVE AI AS PART OF ITS SMARTPHONE EXPERIENCE. LAY REN, CEO OF OPPO MEA, PROVIDES US WITH A DEEP DIVE INTO THE FEATURES AND VISION PROPELLING THE PHONE MAKER INTO A NEW ERA

WORDS GARETH VAN ZYL

AOPPO AIMS TO BRING GENAI TO ALL ITS PRODUCT LINES, ENSURING THAT AROUND 50 MILLION OPPO AI PHONES WILL BE IN USERS’ HANDS GLOBALLY BY THE END OF THE YEAR

rtificial Intelligence (AI) is shaking up the way we interact with our tech.

Not since the debut of internet-connected mobile devices in the late 2000s has the smartphone industry experienced such a profound transformation. And one smartphone maker that is all in on the AI revolution is OPPO, which is launching a new brand of smartphones that are fully integrating generative AI (genAI) features into its specifications.

With the global launch of the Reno 12 series, OPPO is introducing a suite of AI features designed to enhance user creativity and productivity. But OPPO’s journey with AI is nothing new, as Lay Ren, OPPO’s CEO for MENA, explains.

“We have been using AI to enhance the user experience for many years. Now, with the integration of GenAI, we can better empower users with meaningful benefits in creativity, productivity, and personalisation,” says Ren.

OPPO is putting GenAI to the test, with a range of new features bundled into its device. These include tools such as an AI Eraser, AI Summary tool, AI Best Face, AI Clear Face and many others.

Highlighting the AI Eraser tool as an example, Ren explains some of its standout features when it comes to editing images more quickly and seamlessly.

“Simply circle around the unwanted subject, and AI Eraser will automatically remove it and generate the missing content with almost no trace of post-processing,” Ren explains.

OPPO’s AI Summary tool, which is accessible via an easyto-access dropdown menu, can further take a snapshot of any text and then display a neat summary therea ter. As part of this, there is also the AI Recording Summary tool which can intelligently extract text summaries from a voice record and organise them into readable notes. Then there’s the AI Best Face feature which fixes photos where you or your friends might have accidentally closed your eyes. With

this feature, eyes magically reopen with the click of a button.

AI Clear Face is another tool that helps increase clarity and reduces distortion for up to ten people in a photo, thereby making sure that nobody is le t out with a blurry image.

These AI advancements have already resonated in China where the device was first launched to market to much applause, Ren says.

“The launch of the Reno 12 series has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response. The tagline ‘Tap into AI’ showcases our commitment to making AI accessible to everyone,” Ren notes.

DEMOCRATISING AI

OPPO has set an ambitious goal to integrate AI across its entire smartphone lineup by the end of 2024.

“With the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, GenAI has exploded in popularity, presenting huge challenges and opportunities to all industries. We believe that following feature phones and smartphones, artificial intelligence, represented by generative AI, will lead the smartphone industry into the third stage: the era of AI phones,” says Ren.

This vision extends beyond its flagship models. OPPO aims to bring GenAI to all its product lines, ensuring that around 50 million OPPO AI Phones will be in users’ hands globally by the end of the year.

“Guided by our corporate mission ‘Technology for mankind, Kindness for the world,’ OPPO believes that AI should not remain exclusive to just

flagship phones but should be accessible to more users around the world,” Ren emphasises.

Ren says these features will simplify everyday tasks. “Imagine receiving an audio file from a meeting with a request to summarise key points. With AI Recording Summary, you can get the whole job done in no time,” Ren says.

AI Speak is another innovative feature that can read out news articles or emails while users go about their morning routines.

“So, while I am getting ready — washing my face or brushing my teeth — I can still catch up on what’s going on today,” Ren adds.

CUTTING-EDGE R&D

OPPO’s AI advancements are underpinned by a series of strategic partnerships and robust research and development infrastructure.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE RENO12 SERIES

ON A COMPARATIVE BASIS, THE RENO12 AND RENO12 PRO ARE TWO DEVICES THAT OFFER SIMILAR SPECIFICATIONS. WHERE THEY DIFFER, THOUGH, IS IN THE DIFFERENT COLOURS. ALSO, THE RENO12 PRO COMES IN A MORE METALLIC FINISH.

FEATURE OPPO RENO12

Design

Sleek and solid appearance

Colours Astro Silver, Matte Brown

Finish

Water Resistance

Splash Touch

Technology

Framework

Display

AI Features

Matte finish for Matte Brown variant

IP65 rating

Yes

High-Strength Alloy Framework

OPPO RENO12 PRO

Sleek and solid appearance

Sunset Gold, Space Brown

Two-tone matte-gloss design with a metallic ribbon

IP65 rating

Yes

High-Strength Alloy Framework

6.7” 120Hz 3D Curved Screen 6.7” 120Hz Infinite View Screen

AI Eraser 2.0, AI Toolbox, AI Clear Face, AI Best Face, AI Studio, AI Recording Summary, AI LinkBoost

Camera Front 32MP; Rear 50MP+8MP+2MP

Flash Snapshot

AI Portrait Expert, 4K video at 30fps (rear and front)

AI Eraser 2.0, AI Toolbox, AI Clear Face, AI Best Face, AI Studio, AI Recording Summary, AI LinkBoost

Front 50MP; Rear 50MP+50MP+8MP

AI Portrait Expert, 4K video at 30fps (rear and front)

Technology Yes Yes

Video Recording 4K video at 30fps 4K video at 30fps

AI Toolbox Yes, built on Google Gemini LLM Yes, built on Google Gemini LLM

AI Recording Summary Tool Yes Yes

Durability

All-Round Armour Architecture: Enhanced protection against drops, pressure, and water Corning® Gorilla® Glass 7i

Material Standard materials

Additional

All-Round Armour Architecture: Enhanced protection against drops, pressure, and water Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2

Premium materials with chic metallic ribbon

AI Best Face- after

AI Best Face- before

The establishment of OPPO’s AI R&D Centre in Shenzhen, China also plays a crucial role in developing and implementing these features.

“The AI R&D Centre leverages our extensive R&D infrastructure to develop solutions that are not only cutting-edge but also user-friendly and widely available,” Ren explains.

Collaborations with industry giants such as Google, Microso t, and phone chipmaker MediaTek further enhance OPPO’s AI capabilities.

“In partnership with Google, OPPO’s Reno 12 series will feature the Google Gemini family LLMs, bringing OPPO users even more innovative and convenient AI features,” Ren reveals.

These partnerships ensure that OPPO devices benefit from the latest advancements in AI technology.

MediaTek’s development of chipsets with dedicated AI processing units is particularly noteworthy.

“On the Reno 12 series, we’re welcoming the global debut of the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Energy chip, designed for energy e ciency. This chip unlocks the best battery life on the new Reno 12 series, built on a 4nm flagship process,” Ren states.

Such collaborations are targeted at resulting in superior performance and capabilities for OPPO smartphones.

PATENTS AND IP

One indicator of how seriously OPPO is taking the AI revolution is the number of patents it has registered in this space.

With over 5,399 AI-related patents globally, OPPO has established itself as a leader in smartphone AI technology. Of these patents, the company has registered 3,796 in the space of utility AI imaging.

Many regard the Find series as one of the best camera phones. The key reason is our breakthrough HyperTone Image Engine, which includes a series of AI algorithms to improve clarity, reduce noise, and enhance dynamic range.”

Among the Intellectual Property protected here is that of its AI Eraser feature, among many more. OPPO’s AI-driven advancements are also evident in their flagship models, even those from previous years.

“Many regard the Find series as one of the best camera phones. The key reason is our breakthrough HyperTone Image Engine, which includes a series of AI algorithms to improve clarity, reduce noise, and enhance dynamic range,” Ren explains. Additionally, OPPO’s Trinity Engine is designed to ensure that the brand’s hardware and so tware o er a smoother experience, even a ter years of use. Increasingly, this will become vital in powering the AI era.

The Trinity engine comprises three key components: ROM Vitalisation, RAM Vitalisation, and CPU Vitalisation.

ROM Vitalisation frees up more memory space by compressing app data and merging duplicate files to address performance degradation issues caused by memory filling up over the long term. RAM Vitalisation works by reconstructing Android’s underlying RAM mechanism and employing specialised techniques to accelerate app launch speeds and improve the level of fluidity when switching between apps. Finally, CPU Vitalisation uses a sophisticated computing power model that can precisely schedule power resources while determining the best balance between performance and power consumption.

AI Eraser- Original

AI Eraser- After

AI Eraser in progress

USER-CENTRIC AI, PRIVACY

In February this year, OPPO revealed the establishment of its new AI Centre in Shenzhen, China. Through dedicated research and development into AI and its applications, the centre aims to further strengthen OPPO’s AI capabilities and explore a broader range of user-centric AI products and features that will enable the company to bring users the latest experiences at the forefront of AI.

Already, OPPO has developed a reputation for pioneering several of its own large language models. These models comprise the basic functioning of any generative AI system.

One of the company’s most significant breakthroughs is the deployment of a large language model (LLM) with seven billion parameters directly on the device. This advancement allows for fast transcription, cross-device collaboration, and seamless information processing.

“We achieved compressing the seven billion parameters module from 28GB to 3.5GB for ROM and optimised performance like consumption and latency,” Ren explains. This deep optimisation enables users to enjoy AI features like the AI Eraser and AI Summary on-device without an internet connection.

But there is much more that the centre will be working on, as Ren reveals.

“In addition to LLM, we’ve also worked on large vision models and multimodality technology,

which helps users gain a comprehensive understanding of information from multiple media forms,” Ren says.

He further notes that innovations in AI-driven image creation, productivity tools, personalised content creation, and AI-powered mobile o ce solutions are among the exciting developments currently underway.

But as AI becomes more integrated into daily life, privacy concerns are paramount. OPPO is also committed to ensuring user data remains secure while providing robust AI functionalities.

“OPPO strictly complies with local laws and regulations and has invested in comprehensive privacy protection and data encryption technologies,” Ren assures.

The company has further passed stringent security certifications from international standard organisations, demonstrating its dedication to data security and privacy protection, he adds.

Underpinning the company’s focus on this latest tech trend is getting the power of artificial intelligence into as many hands as possible.

“We’re living in an AI era, and smartphones are the most important personal AI devices. OPPO aims to make AI phones accessible to everyone, enabling a truly intelligent mobile experience,” Ren says.

“It can be said that generative AI gives artificial intelligence true creativity for the first time. With this creativity, many industries could be reshaped, including smartphones,” he concludes.

Large area filling- Original

Large area filling- After

BUILDING A STRONG FINANCIAL FOUNDATION

Empowering teenagers with the skills and knowledge of personal fi nance can contribute to a more fi nancially secure future

Financial literacy has become one of the most essential kinds of learning in a world that is full of uncertainties. Equipping a person with the ability to understand and e ectively manage personal finances can empower them with the insight to make the right financial decisions – and the earlier, the better.

The 2020 OECD International Survey of Adult Financial Literacy revealed that only 61 per cent of respondents from 26 countries in Asia, Europe, and Latin America

EXECUTIVE VP, HEAD OF NEO & PERSONAL BANKING

– including 12 OECD members –possessed the minimal financial knowledge necessary.

Furthermore, the survey disclosed that only 28 per cent of adults had enough savings to sustain themselves for only one week in case of job loss. Furthermore, Standard & Poor’s Global Finlit Survey highlights that financial illiteracy particularly a ects women and young people.

These statistics underscore the importance of instilling the ageold wisdom of ‘starting early’ in educating young people, as it can

positively influence their attitudes and behaviours when it comes to financial planning for a brighter future.

FINANCIAL LITERACY IN THE ‘DIGITAL AGE’

Teenagers today face the unique task of balancing the real-world consequences of spending money via digital services, and their dependence on digital services is only set to grow. Parents and educators need to navigate this tricky scenario smartly and teach young ones the tangible value of money to help them build a strong financial foundation.

The focus should be on helping them avoid the common financial pitfall of overspending with ‘plastic money’ (credit or debit cards) and increasing their debt. Though budgeting is a fundamental step in managing finances, the preparation process goes

WITH FINANCIAL LITERACY, CHILDREN CAN BUILD A FOUNDATION FOR ACHIEVING GOALS SUCH AS PURCHASING THEIR FIRST HOME OR EVEN PAYING FOR THEIR OWN HIGHER EDUCATION

beyond just teaching them the basics of saving. Recognising the unique circumstances of the digital age and utilising innovative approaches to financial education will be key.

As youngsters are already accustomed to apps, there is merit in introducing them to cutting-edge digital budgeting apps, which will allow them to track and control their spending habits. Most digital banking propositions are now designed to give teens and young adults independence over their spending, provide access to a debit card, and the ability to transact via mobile applications. Mobile apps also have unique options to create financial goals and save towards them – encouraging the next generation to be smart with their money.

LEARNING FOR THE LONG-HAUL

Most parents strive to teach their children the art of prioritising savings, a habit that will hold them in good stead when they begin earning their own money. For this, it is important to instil a sense of financial security and discipline for both emergencies and long-term goals.

Introducing them to the world of investing from a young age will help them understand how to grow their wealth responsibly. Providing a hands-on experience through custodial accounts or family investment plans can foster an interest in longterm wealth creation and help

MOST PARENTS STRIVE

TO TEACH THEIR CHILDREN THE ART OF PRIORITISING SAVINGS, A HABIT THAT WILL HOLD THEM IN GOOD STEAD WHEN THEY BEGIN EARNING THEIR OWN MONEY.

teenagers develop a solid financial foundation.

Though it may seem too premature to introduce young ones to concepts such as retirement planning and insurance coverage, doing so will help them develop a clear vision of their financial future and foster a proactive approach to personal finance. Educating them about the significance of good credit scores, responsible credit card use, and prompt bill payments can help them build a strong credit history for their future.

Furthermore, you can also make use of real-life situations to

teach valuable financial lessons. Why not involve them in family budget discussions? Encourage them to participate in household financial decision-making or set up a system for them to earn and manage their own money.

These practical experiences will help solidify financial concepts and prepare teens for the challenges they will face as they enter adulthood.

A STRONG FINANCIAL FOUNDATION FOR TECHSAVVY YOUNGSTERS

Acknowledging the significance of empowering young individuals and preparing them for a financially secure future, several government initiatives, exemplified by the Abu Dhabi Family Wellbeing Strategy, in tandem with initiatives from numerous financial institutions, have made youth financial literacy a top priority.

This collaborative endeavour between the public and private sectors represents a crucial milestone in ensuring that the youth not only gain essential financial knowledge but also, through practising financial responsibility, contribute to a positive economic impact.

Harnessing the potential of secure digital payment systems, understanding the importance of online banking security measures to safeguard financial information, and exploring the opportunities and risks associated with digital investing are some of the key components of financial literacy.

MOST DIGITAL BANKING PROPOSITIONS ARE NOW DESIGNED TO GIVE TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS INDEPENDENCE OVER THEIR SPENDING

With financial literacy, children can build a foundation for achieving goals such as purchasing their first home or even paying for their own higher education. Empowering tech-savvy teens with the skills and knowledge of personal finance can contribute to a more financially responsible and secure future for the ‘digital generation’.

HOW EMBEDDED SOLUTIONS ARE TRANSFORMING THE INSURANCE SECTOR

The MENA region, especially the Middle East, is making signifi cant strides in fi nancial technology, with embedded fi nance emerging as a game-changer

In today’s digital age, industries are undergoing rapid transformations, and the insurance sector is no exception. Embedded insurance, a concept integrating insurance into non-insurance services, is revolutionising the landscape. For instance, imagine getting travel insurance as part of the flight booking process or being o ered insurance by the car rental agency when hiring a vehicle.

Similarly, picture purchasing a recently launched laptop and being presented with insurance that covers the cost of replacing a damaged or faulty laptop.

CO-FOUNDER

TURTLEMINT

This is the essence of embedded insurance, o ering convenient coverage within everyday interactions.

THE TIME IS NOW FOR EMBEDDED INSURANCE

Insurance companies and businesses across various industries are realising the importance of integrating insurance into what people buy, use, or maintain. Thanks to advancements in technology, constant connectivity, and changes in what customers want, embedding insurance has become a priority for all sorts of insurers.

Companies such as Uber and Apple are already seeing positive results from including insurance with their products, making customers happier and their o erings more valuable. The use of modern technology platforms is crucial in this shi t.

These platforms allow insurance companies to use up-to-date information to create personalised solutions and handle insurance claims more quickly.

EMBEDDED INSURANCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST MARKET

Just like many other industries, the insurance sector faced a major challenge when the full impact of Covid-19 became clear, a ecting their profits.

To adapt, established companies began investing more in technology to increase e ciency and enhance the customer experience. Some companies chose to develop their technology, while others bought existing tech tools. The growing interest in financial technology, known as fintech, created opportunities for new startups in insurance.

However, these startups faced resistance from insurance companies, who saw them as competition rather than helpful partners. In the Middle East region, insurance companies o ten prefer to buy old-fashioned, large computer systems rather than work with smaller, newer companies.

This cautious approach from insurance companies might be why the insurtech industry is still in its early stages of development. Nevertheless, positive changes are underway. Embedded insurance is swi tly gaining traction among consumers in the Middle East market. The insurance

business in that region is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.17 per cent between 2023 and 2029, reaching a valuation of $386.39bn by that time.

This growth is mainly because more people are realising the importance of insurance, driven by increased urbanisation and economic development. Moreover, commercial insurance leads the way in the Middle East market, with personal insurance making up only a small portion of the total premiums. The State of Fintech report shows that fintech in the region grew by 52 per cent in 2020, attracting $241m investments.

This growth provides a fertile ground for embedded finance solutions to meet the changing needs of businesses and consumers. However, compared to global markets, the region still has lower rates of insurance product usage.

Customers in the insurance industry are quickly changing their expectations, pushing the industry to adapt faster than ever before.The MENA region, especially the Middle East, is making significant strides in financial technology, with embedded finance emerging as a game-changer. The region is becoming more data-driven in its insurance practices.The embedded insurance industry in the Middle East is expected to grow by 40.2 per cent annually, with revenue projected to reach $7,763m by 2029. This suggests that companies best equipped to serve this region will likely dominate the market soon.

MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH POTENTIAL

The embedded insurance market is growing worldwide and is expected to reach $482.8bn by 2032 with a CAGR of 22.6 per cent. This growth is fuelled by factors like reaching new customer segments, expanding insurance coverage, and improving customer satisfaction and loyalty. Both traditional insurance companies and newer insurtech startups are exploring embedded insurance opportunities. They are

leveraging their knowledge and innovative technology solutions to tap into this expanding market.

EMBEDDED INSURANCE MARKET TRENDS

Increasing life insurance premiums are driving the market forward, and technological advancements and improved underwriting processes have made life insurance more competitive and accessible. E-commerce, artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data are all contributing to the rise of embedded insurance.

These technologies let businesses tailor their insurance offerings to each customer, improving their experience. API providers are essential in fuelling the embedded insurance trend, while future brokers can embrace embedded insurance to enhance agent productivity and improve customer relations.

CLOSING THE INSURANCE GAP

Embedded insurance is considered the most relevant opportunity to tap into new customer segments and reduce the insurance gap. By offering simple and transparent products with a straightforward claims process, it has the potential to revolutionise how insurance products are distributed by noninsurance brands worldwide.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Embedded finance, particularly embedded insurance, presents a great business opportunity in the Middle East market. This is because of the growing fintech ecosystem and consumer demand for seamless financial experiences. Businesses in the region must seize the opportunity, adapt to changing consumer expectations, and leverage partnerships and technology integrations to open new revenue streams and enhance customer experiences. By doing so, they can position themselves as leaders in the region’s evolving financial landscape.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

How

Technology is often hailed as the key to unlocking sustainable development. While it boasts immense potential, its true impact hinges on how we utilise it. Technology is a powerful enabler, but it’s our choices that determine whether it drives positive change or exacerbates existing problems. When using technology to effectively accelerate the financing and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it’s crucial to first understand what true sustainability is.  Terms such as “ESG”,

MANJULA LEE CEO AND FOUNDER

“carbon emissions”, and “net zero” often fall short of sustainability, requiring a holistic approach encompassing the trinity of social, economic and environmental dimensions as a whole.

Globally, businesses, governments, civil society, and citizens face challenges in fostering sustainability. The identified issues include difficulties in defining and aligning to a common purpose, a lack of endto-end execution for sustainability processes, limited access to trusted data, and the inability to measure impact effectively.

While speaking with diverse stakeholders, it became evident that investors and all forms of other decision makers required comparable, trusted, and realtime data directly from the source. On the other hand, organisations seeking to disclose performance require standardised and streamlined sustainability reporting to minimise time, costs, and risks associated with juggling multiple platforms.

Breakthroughs in technology are reshaping the narrative, offering a pathway towards automated mapping, monitoring, measuring and management of sustainability performance. As the Gulf region positions itself as a hub for economic prosperity and environmental consciousness following COP28, the conversation

technology can be used to advance sustainable development and progress

shifts from talk towards action by embracing these transformative technologies.

DATA BOT AND BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY

Unfortunately, when it comes to sustainability reporting, technology to date has been largely used to scrape unstructured and outdated data sitting on PDFs. This offered investors and stakeholders inconsistent, incomparable information with no clear origin and little credibility. Data bot technology such as Universal Trackers (UTRs), smartcontract-like bots, streamline data collection, processing, and dissemination. Data can be collected from source with an immutable chain of provenance and evidence underpinned by blockchain technology. The UTRs aim to do the job of hundreds of people in the value chain, reducing time, cost and risk and ultimately giving stakeholders faster, fresher, trusted data.

Blockchain technology and private distributed ledger technology can also be used for asset and finance tracking, efficiency and risk management. Tokenisation, especially in impact investing, creates new liquidity instruments and transparency, allowing for outcomes-based rules programmed in smart contracts.

These technologies are not just tools, they’re game-changers. They have the potential to transform sustainability reporting from a burden to a powerful force for positive change.

CLOUD COMPUTING

Organisations and nations are increasingly shifting from

HUMANS AND TECHNOLOGY NEED TO HARMONIOUSLY AND SYMBIOTICALLY EXIST. IN A WORLD FUELLED BY DIGITISATION, MOBILISATION, AUGMENTATION, DISINTERMEDIATION AND AUTOMATION, ANYTHING THAT CANNOT BE DIGITISED OR AUTOMATED

WILL BECOME EXTREMELY VALUABLE, ESPECIALLY IN SUSTAINABILITY.

on-premise servers to the cloud, benefiting from its sophisticated, cost-effective, and sustainable infrastructure. The future holds even more promise with the emergence of quantum computing. This powerful technology will need to continually evolve to slash costs, emissions, and energy consumption across industries, from AI and blockchain to 5G and beyond. However, this rapid evolution comes with a critical caveat: cybersecurity. As more sensitive data migrates to the cloud, we need robust protection. Fortunately, blockchain technology offers a powerful solution. Its immutable nature and cryptographic safeguards make it incredibly difficult for hackers to tamper with data or infiltrate systems, adding an extra layer of defence.

IOT AND AI, ML AND OL

Automated data collection through IoT and AI technologies, for fast machine learning (ML)

and organic learning (OL) can provide greater speed and accuracy for monitoring, measuring, and managing sustainability performance. However, unleashing the full potential of these technologies requires careful consideration of ethical implications and strong regulatory frameworks.

Data breaches and biases in large learning models are real concerns. The responsible development and deployment of AI is critical. This involves avoiding potential threats to various industries, such as autonomous vehicles jeopardising safety in mobility, biased algorithms impacting hiring decisions in human resources, or AI systems being misused for plagiarism in creative, social media and fintech industries. By prioritising ethical considerations and responsible AI development, we can unlock the vast potential of these technologies for a more sustainable and equitable future.

MACHINE VERSUS MAN

Humans and technology need to harmoniously and symbiotically exist. In a world fuelled by digitisation, mobilisation, augmentation, disintermediation and automation, anything that cannot be digitised or automated will become extremely valuable, especially in sustainability.

As technology streamlines repetitive and mundane tasks, human traits such as creativity, imagination, intuition, emotion, and ethics become extremely important. While technology represents the ‘how’ of change, it is crucial for humanity to guide, harness, and adapt technology responsibly for sustainable development, ensuring it aligns with our collective purpose. By leveraging innovative solutions ethically and responsibly, we can unlock a future where technology and humanity work together to achieve the SDGs and create a more prosperous and sustainable world for all.

ADDRESSING CYBER CHAOS: GENAI’S ROLE IN ADVANCED THREAT DEFENCE

Striking the right balance between technological adoption and human intelligence is essential to ensure the complete security of any organisation

The rise of generative AI and allied technologies has led to a surge in the sophistication of cyber attacks.

Despite security teams continuously updating their defence strategies, it’s a constant challenge to keep pace. This is why security teams are adopting generative AI as a potent force against today’s cyber attacks.

THE COMPLEX CYBER LANDSCAPE

The cyber landscape is growing increasingly complex with

attackers adopting techniques, such as sophisticated malware and social engineering, to evade detection. This complexity poses a challenge for conventional cybersecurity approaches in maintaining effective defences.

To tackle this issue, it is crucial for organisations to empower their security teams with advanced tools capable of detecting sophisticated cyberthreats.

UNDERSTANDING GENERATIVE AI

Generative AI (GenAI) can be used to create content that’s original,

creative, and accurate. The technology relies heavily on neural network techniques like generative adversarial networks and language models like OpenAI’s GPT-3 to create images, videos, and humanlike text.

Leveraging GenAI can help organisations mimic human behaviour to understand threat patterns or create decoys to deceive attackers.

ADAPTIVE RESPONSE

One of the core capabilities of generative AI includes adapting to changing requirements. While traditional security systems rely on predefined patterns and signatures, GenAI can dynamically learn from changing threat patterns and continuously update its models to strengthen defensive mechanisms. Further, GenAI’s capability to analyse huge volumes of data seamlessly makes it easier to learn human behaviour, derive baselines, and identify even subtle deviations. This helps in detecting threats proactively and reducing the impact of cyberattacks.

LEVERAGING GENAI FOR CYBER DEFENCE

As generative AI continues to grow, it’s becoming crucial for security teams to identify and explore avenues within the scope of security operations centres (SOCs) to integrate generative AI into their cyber defence strategies. While the following predictions are hypothetical and speculative, the reality of their implementation may not be so distant.

Counter-deceptive content

Developing deceptive content to mislead attackers can be a valuable strategy for security teams. This

THE MIDDLE EAST RECORDED AN AVERAGE OF $8.07M PER DATA BREACH AS COMPARED TO THE $4.45M GLOBAL AVERAGE, SIGNIFYING THAT THE MIDDLE EAST IS A PRIME TARGET FOR CYBER ATTACKERS

may involve generating fake tra c, using incorrect credentials, providing misleading information, and other tactics to distract and divert the attention of attackers.

Honeypots and decoys

GenAI can be used to mimic realistic network behaviour and system events to create a deceptive environment, making it challenging for attackers to identify genuine assets. Organisations can employ this capability as a sophisticated honeypot to lure malicious attackers into a trap.

Phishing countermeasures

GenAI can help to counter phishing attacks by detecting fake login screens or credentials in phishing emails. When attackers attempt to use these fabricated elements, AIpowered tools can trigger alerts or countermeasures.

Automated threat analysis

Utilising GenAI to simulate threat

GENAI CAN HELP TO COUNTER PHISHING ATTACKS BY DETECTING FAKE LOGIN SCREENS OR CREDENTIALS IN PHISHING EMAILS. WHEN ATTACKERS ATTEMPT TO USE THESE FABRICATED ELEMENTS, AI-POWERED TOOLS CAN TRIGGER ALERTS OR COUNTERMEASURES.

scenarios can prove e ective in identifying security weaknesses and vulnerabilities within a network. Security teams can leverage this approach to enhance their security strategy and better prepare for defending against complex threats.

Behaviour analytics

Developing behaviour patterns through the analysis of historical data can help proactively identify

potential threat actors. This enables organisations to adopt e ective strategies for triaging similar threats in the future.

Misinformation campaigns

Organisations can leverage generative AI to disseminate false information about their security posture, creating confusion among malicious actors.

Compliance and ethical mandates

GenAI can be used to analyse the compliance standards that an organisation must adhere to, identifying potential gaps that could lead to noncompliance. This, in turn, allows organisations to take proactive measures to ensure ongoing compliance.

The importance of leveraging generative AI for cyber defence

According to IBM’s Cost of Data Breach Report 2023, the Middle East recorded an average of $8.07 million per data breach as compared to the $4.45m global average, signifying that the Middle East is a prime target for cyber attackers.

Further, with the global trend of leveraging AI for cyberattacks anticipated to continue, it is vital that organisations gear up to include AI as an integral part of their cyber defences.

However, as the cybersecurity realm prepares to explore the full potential of generative AI, it is important to consider ethical and legal boundaries during deployment. Prioritising transparency in its usage and communicating this to stakeholders is essential to ensure that the technology’s use remains within permissible boundaries.

Furthermore, despite AI adoption being a strategic necessity, human expertise is still an irreplaceable component in cybersecurity. Striking the right balance between technological adoption and human intelligence is essential to ensure the complete security of any organisation.

NEW CYBER THREATS: HOW COMPANIES CAN TACKLE THEM

We

speak to key IT and cybersecurity experts to understand the evolving cyber threats organisations face and how they can be mitigated

JONATHAN TRULL

CHIEF INFORMATION

SECURITY OFFICER

QUALYS

The cyber threat landscape in the UAE and the wider region is growing in scale and sophistication. Attackers increasingly use artificial intelligence to exploit weaknesses, requiring defenders to adopt faster response tools. Microso t is committed to supporting defenders in both the UAE government and private sector.

For example, our Copilot for Security empowers security professionals by helping them analyse large volumes of data to identify cyber threats.

The Qualys Threat Research Unit recently published research examining critical vulnerabilities in 2023 and their impact on organisations. Key findings showed that the average time to exploit vulnerabilities in 2023 was 44 days. However, 25 per cent had exploits available on the day of publication, highlighting attackers’ growing e ciency. A significant proportion (32.5 per cent) of high-risk vulnerabilities resided in network infrastructure or web applications, traditionally di cult areas to secure. More than 50 per cent of high-risk vulnerabilities were exploited by attackers to compromise systems.

To assess vulnerability risk, businesses should employ a comprehensive set of scanners, including agent, network, and external scanners. Additionally, a thorough inventory of public-facing applications and remote services is essential. Finally, organisations should prioritise vulnerabilities based on exploit availability, likelihood of exploitation, and existence of weaponised exploit code.

TO ASSESS VULNERABILITY RISK, BUSINESSES SHOULD EMPLOY A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF SCANNERS, INCLUDING AGENT, NETWORK, AND EXTERNAL SCANNERS.”

NAIM YAZBECK GENERAL MANAGER

MICROSOFT UAE

CHRISTOPHER HILLS

CHIEF SECURITY STRATEGIST

BEYONDTRUST

Modern attack strategies have undergone a significant shi t in the past 12-24 months. Attackers are now focusing on exploiting user and identity infrastructure systems to gain access, rather than relying on traditional hacking methods. This shi t exposes major risk areas in identity infrastructure due to siloed systems and independent management, making it di cult to identify vulnerabilities. Organisations need to assess their identity security posture and implement solutions to address modern attack landscapes. This may involve reviewing how permissions are granted across siloed systems and improving visibility into potential risks. Traditional security tools o ten only address specific areas such as cloud, on-premises systems, or multi-factor authentication. What is required is a solution that can cover multiple layers in the identity infrastructure to find, alert and mitigate these hidden risks.

One of the most signifi cant challenges in recent years is the prevalence of privacy scandals, raising concerns about personal information security.

As technology advances, so do the tools and techniques employed by malicious actors. Last year alone, deepfake attempts increased by 3,000 per cent, highlighting the critical need for identity verification.

To stay ahead, businesses in the UAE must prioritise proactive measures to protect user identities. Organisations should implement robust authentication methods to e ciently authenticate and validate users in real-time.

Additionally, deploying identity verification (IDV) with biometric checks for privileged actions strengthens an enterprise’s overall cybersecurity posture.

Organisations globally face an evolving and complex threat landscape, including advanced ransomware, supply chain vulnerabilities, zero-day exploits, cloudspecific risks, IoT (internet of things) vulnerabilities, insider threats, artificial intelligence-powered attacks, phishing, and nation-state threats.

The Trend Micro Security Predictions report 2024 recommends robust, multi-layered cybersecurity strategies for organisations in the UAE. These strategies include strengthening cloud security, enhancing defences against AI threats, securing so tware supply chains, and improving blockchain network security. By adopting these strategies, organisations can effectively counter sophisticated cyber threats. The report emphasises the need for a balance between foresight and operational resilience through strategic investments in technology.

THE TREND MICRO SECURITY PREDICTIONS REPORT 2024 RECOMMENDS ROBUST, MULTILAYERED CYBERSECURITY STRATEGIES FOR ORGANISATIONS IN THE UAE.”

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT AND MD, MMEA

TREND MICRO

MOHAMMED EISSA REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR

MEA, ENTRUST

DR MOATAZ BIN ALI

STATE OF CYBER THREATS IN THE GCC

Help AG’s CTO shares the findings of its State of the Market Report, which delivered key insights into cybersecurity threats, trends and emerging technologies over the past year

By Neesha Salian

Q&A

Help AG recently published its State of the Market report. What were the report’s key findings?

For the fourth consecutive year, the report delivered insights into cybersecurity threats, trends, and emerging technologies and practices over the past year, providing a detailed analysis of threat tactics, high-profile breaches, and best practice recommendations from the perspective of Help AG, strategic partners and leading organisations in the UAE and Saud Arabia. The findings highlighted a notable increase in cyber threats across various attack vectors. Ransomware attacks saw a substantial rise as attackers focused on critical areas such as supply chains and VPN devices. These devices, due to their unique placement and connectivity within infrastructures, provided attackers with elevated access, making them prime targets.

Additionally, there was a significant shi t in attacker strategies, with a clear focus on exploiting the supply chain of digital transformation. This included targeting so tware vendors, service partners, and hardware vendors, thereby increasing systemic risks for organisations. The evolving landscape of cyber threats also underscored the importance of addressing digital risk protection comprehensively.

The rise of AI introduced both opportunities and challenges in cybersecurity. While generative AI-powered many initiatives, it also presented risks such as biases in AI models and potential data leaks.

Ensuring the security of AI models and employing e ective prompt engineering were identified as crucial steps to mitigate these risks.

Elaborate on the dominant threat categories identified by Help AG in 2023.

In today’s interconnected and ever-evolving ecosystem, organisations across various sectors face increased threats from attackers. These threats are focused on compromising availability, damaging reputation, and eroding customer trust, leading to significant financial losses, operational disruptions, and long-term reputational damage. In 2023, Help AG identified nearly 30,000 critical digital risk alerts, revealing the prevalence of certain digital risk categories. Credential the t accounted for 49 per cent of the alerts, followed by brand abuse at 39 per cent. Data leakage and phishing incidents represented 10 per cent and 1.5 per cent of the cases respectively. Additionally, there has been a noticeable increase in advanced ransomware attacks, double extortion schemes, sophisticated phishing campaigns, and application layer attacks, underscoring the constantly evolving nature of the threat landscape.

With a significant increase in distributed denial-ofservice (DDoS) attacks recorded by Help AG in 2023, what are the primary sectors targeted by such attacks, and what measures are being taken to mitigate these threats?

In the bustling metropolises and thriving business hubs of the Middle East, the spectre of DDoS attacks looms large.In 2023 alone, our team managed over 200,000 DDoS attacks, including the largest such attack ever recorded globally, which targeted the UAE. Help AG noted a staggering 42 per cent increase in DDoS attacks in the UAE, totalling 213,434 incidents. The longest of these assaults persisted for over five days, while the most massive attack reached an unprecedented bandwidth of 461.5 gigabits per second (Gbps).

NICOLAI SOLLING

CTO HELP AG

Getty Images

These attacks are poised to become even more sophisticated as perpetrators leverage advanced technologies such as AI to amplify their impact and automate their strategies.

How have cyber defence investments evolved in the GCC region in response to the growing complexity of the digital threat landscape?

Organisations in the region have demonstrated remarkable resilience amid global turbulence. By swiftly adapting business models, accelerating investments in cyber defence, and maintaining a dynamic approach to digital transformation, they have navigated challenges with agility and foresight. Cyber defence spending has been a noticeable acceleration, accompanied by a strong shift towards cybersecurity as a service. This emphasises clear deliverables, SLAs, KPIs, and transparent costs. Investment in managed cyber defence has surged due to the complex digital threat landscape. Services such as network detection and response, endpoint detection and response, threat intelligence, digital risk protection, and incident response have experienced significant growth. Organisations prioritise comprehensive threat management and security, indicating a proactive approach to cybersecurity.

Cloud services have emerged as the preferred choice, with a clear shift towards “everything as a service” (EaaS). This trend, including digital transformation initiatives and endpoint security, highlights the dominance of cloud technologies in cybersecurity.

Investments in cybersecurity advisory services have also grown by over 100 per cent, driven by the increasing regulatory compliance requirements and the need for expert guidance. In light of this shift, we remain committed to investing in people, processes, and technology to ensure robust client support and cyber resilience. As part of this strategy, we have launched the largest cyber defence centre in the UAE and expanded our centre in Riyadh.

Tell us about the company’s strategic approach of blending human intelligence with intelligent automation to enhance digital defences. As AI permeates virtually every industry, it revolutionises processes and drives unprecedented innovations. The critical synergy between AI-driven intelligence and strategic human expertise is becoming essential in today’s rapidly evolving digital environment.

Help AG recognises the imperative of integrating artificial and human intelligence in cybersecurity, which is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and resilience

amidst technological advancements. We have developed robust automation and integration capabilities to tackle key cyberattacks effectively. For instance, when a user reports a suspected phishing email, we can swiftly execute the necessary response actions within just 20 minutes if confirmed as phishing.

Without automation, this process would require our customers to allocate upwards of three hours, involving multiple teams. With automation and integration, our analysts can access all necessary information from a single console, saving over 500 hours of human effort per month.

Over a year, this translates to 6,000 hours of effort saved. By embracing automation and AI, Help AG’s SOC teams enhance their ability to protect organisations against cyber threats. This approach not only improves security posture, but also allows analysts to focus on strategic thinking, threat hunting, and proactive security measures. While automation is a powerful tool, it augments rather than replaces human expertise.

Over the past few years, our Managed Security Services team has focused extensively on automation and AI to provide efficient, consistent, and advanced security services.

What are the key elements of Help AG’s ‘Cybersphere Nexus’ strategic approach, particularly regarding securing AI and intelligent defence mechanisms, advancing post-quantum cybersecurity and championing sustainable cybersecurity practices?

The Help AG Cybersphere Nexus represents our commitment to advancing cybersecurity through innovative technologies and sustainable practices, focusing on three pivotal areas: securing AI, post-quantum cryptography and sustainable cybersecurity. We are dedicated to enabling the safe use of AI in enterprise organisations, identifying innovative AI-powered security solutions, and ensuring oversight, control and predictability of AI.

With the rise of quantum computing, traditional encryption methods will soon become inadequate. We are collaborating with pioneers to deliver encryption that can withstand quantum threats, ensuring our cybersecurity defences remain robust and effective against future threats.

Sustainable cybersecurity goes beyond protecting data — it’s about doing so in an environmentally responsible and economically viable manner. Through the Cybersphere Nexus, we are leading the way in green computing technologies and practices that minimise our carbon footprint while maximising security efficacy.

HELP AG ANALYSTS CAN ACCESS ALL NECESSARY INFORMATION FROM A SINGLE CONSOLE, SAVING OVER 500 HOURS OF HUMAN EFFORT PER MONTH

SHARKNINJA MOVES: EYE ON THE MIDDLE EAST

Global product design and tech company SharkNinja recently introduced multiple products into the UAE and Middle East market. In an exclusive interview with Gulf Business, Tom Brown, President EMEA, shares the strategy driving the company’s foray into new markets

By Neesha Salian

Q&A

What are the key factors that influenced SharkNinja’s decision to focus on the Middle East and UAE?

Geo expansion is a key pillar of our global growth strategy, and we see the UAE, and wider Middle East as a region that is in a high growth phase, with increasing consumer demand for premium quality home, kitchen, and beauty products that fuse cutting-edge innovation with a ordability.

We’ve deep-dived into the retail landscape in the UAE, and we see a wonderful opportunity for consumers to benefit from our innovation. Our motivation is driven by the desire to delight customers with products that they love. In the UAE, and Middle East, our ambitions are not only to increase our market share but to grow the market across di erent categories. The key to this is establishing a regional hub to scale our capabilities and e ciencies. We’ve formed centres of excellence in everything from commercial operations to marketing, with core groups supporting our teams across the region. Massive advances in technology mean speed to market is critical, and we have a global in-house team of more than 800 engineers and designers across the US, UK, and China, allowing for round-the-clock product development cycles, and enabling ideas to go from sketch to production very quickly.

How has SharkNinja’s success in the US and European markets influenced your strategy for the Middle East? Our geo expansion journey began in 2014, when we launched into the UK, soon followed by France, Germany Italy, and Spain.

In 2022, we decided to accelerate, and we went from being in a handful of countries to focusing on the Nordics, Benelux, and Poland. The international market was a strong growth driver in 2023, driven by success in the UK, Europe and Latin America. What’s exciting is that this outstanding growth is just the beginning. In the Middle

East, we wanted to start with UAE and learn, and then of course we aspire to take our expansion further across the region. We’ll continue to launch new products every year, and depending on consumer insights, products tailored to the Middle East. SharkNinja delivers a ordable, accessible innovation to the consumer, and the combination of performance, quality and extraordinary value is something that has propelled our growth over the past 15 years and will continue to fuel our growth in the years ahead, including here in the UAE.

What lessons from these markets are you applying to your Middle Eastern expansion?

Even in subcategories that haven’t seen disruptive technology in decades, such as cookware and cutlery, SharkNinja has found a way to bring innovation to the table. We’re able to disrupt massive and fragmented markets through our proprietary consumer insights and innovative product development and testing approach. And we’re applying this rigorous approach to our regional expansion in the Middle East.

Give us an overview of SharkNinja’s product range in the consumer appliances sector. Which products will you be introducing first in the UAE?

We’re introducing to the region more than a dozen products across Shark and Ninja. Globally, we’re market leaders in multiple categories; our Ninja air fryers, multicookers, and blenders are number one across several countries, while Shark is the UK’s number one vacuum cleaner brand. Meanwhile, Shark Beauty is the fastest growing hairstyler brand in the US, with our Shark FlexStyle hairstyler launching to a phenomenal response, backed by celebrity hair stylists and influencers alike. Then there’s the Ninja Woodfire BBQ and Grill, and the Woodfire Outdoor Oven as well as the Ninja CREAMi ice cream maker, which took TikTok by storm with more

“WE

LAUNCH

ON

AVERAGE

25 NEW PRODUCTS EVERY YEAR, AND ALL SHARKNINJA PRODUCTS GO THROUGH RIGOROUS TESTING IN CONSUMER HOMES BEFORE THEY LAUNCH. ”

TOM BROWN PRESIDENT EMEA SHARKNINJA

than one billion views. We have recently announced our new global Ninja Ambassador, David Beckham, who has a passion for cooking and commitment to exceptional performance. Both David Beckham and the Ninja team will be working together to demonstrate the benefits of our current products whilst also supporting product expansion. We are driven by creating products that address problems and pain points that people thought they just had to live with or meet needs they didn’t know they had.

Give us an overview of the primary target demographic for SharkNinja’s products in the region.

We want to sell to everyone in the market, and our consumers have always been very educated and discerning; they prioritise accessible innovation that is affordable and practical, and our strategy has always been to focus on delivering products that offer great performance, high quality and at an affordable value. We are committed to investing wherever the consumer is, whether that is TV and film sponsorship, social media, advertising, digital, in-store and experiential. I have mentioned our new global ambassador for Ninja, David Beckham but we have already built incredible buzz through our relationship with Chris Appleton, hairdresser to the stars with our Shark FlexStyle, and we would love to utilise our global ambassadors alongside local ambassadors in the UAE to drive a positive impact on consumers’ lives.

How will SharkNinja adapt to the unique needs and preferences of Middle Eastern consumers?

We would never bring something to market that isn’t fit for purpose for that market, and we’re enhancing our Middle East insights and social listening teams to ensure we understand the consumers in this market. We’re also expanding our agency network to increase our exposure, capabilities, speed, and visibility, in doing so, staying a step ahead of the trends on social media, ready to activate

the right product feature to grab the imagination of consumers, and drive demand.

In terms of products, we know that consumers really love our air fryers, which are more energy efficient than conventional ovens, but we also know that, within EMEA, we have limited space on our worktops and countertops. This is why, we have engineered a new form factor that is only 29 centimetres wide – small enough to fit into a standard kitchen cabinet. This is all without any sacrifice to the capacity. It’s a great example of SharkNinja’s approach to localising product design.

How is the company incorporating the latest tech trends into its products?

We launch on average 25 new products every year, and all SharkNinja products go through rigorous testing in consumer homes before they launch. Our commitment to innovation is evident with our ongoing efforts to stay ahead of changing consumer needs. We identify both known and unknown consumer problems throughout our product innovation process. As consumer needs change, our innovation cycle changes with them. All the Shark and Ninja products go through rigorous testing in consumer homes before they launch and we are dedicated to incorporating consumer feedback to help ensure we deliver a five-star experience.

What kind of after-sales service and support can customers in the Middle East and UAE expect?

We’ve appointed Al Khayyat Investments (AKI) as our exclusive distribution partner in the UAE, and customers can benefit from AKI Consumer Goods’ specialised industry expertise, cutting-edge infrastructure, and best-in-class service teams. This means more localised teams, with a deep understanding of their consumers, all with regional support.

SHARKNINJA’S STRATEGY HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO FOCUS ON DELIVERING PRODUCTS THAT OFFER GREAT PERFORMANCE, HIGH QUALITY AND AT AN AFFORDABLE VALUE

STREAMLINING SECURITY

Amidst the Middle East’s digital transformation, cyber threats loom larger than ever. Meta at SentinelOne’s Meriam El Ouazzani delves into the transformative role of behavioural and generative AI in fortifying defences and strategies to streamline security operations

By Neesha Salian

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

META AT SENTINELONE

Q&A

What are the factors that have contributed to the recent surge in cyber threats in the Middle East?

As the region’s rapid digitisation has expanded attack surfaces, providing more opportunities for malicious actors, a lack in cybersecurity measures and awareness among Middle Eastern organisations has made them vulnerable targets.

Additionally, the growing sophistication of cybercriminals and the proliferation of ransomware-as-a-service have made cyber attacks more accessible and profitable. Geopolitical tensions have also fuelled cyber warfare, leading to increased attacks for disruption.

How has the integration of behavioural and generative AI techniques enhanced cybersecurity measures?

Behavioral AI analyses user and system behaviour to detect anomalies, identifying potential threats in real-time.

Generative AI, on the other hand, creates synthetic data to simulate cyber attacks, helping to improve defense mechanisms and prepare for potential threats.

Together, these techniques augment cybersecurity by improving threat detection accuracy, reducing false positives, and enhancing overall system resilience. This allows organisations to stay steps ahead of emerging cyber threats and better protect their digital assets.

How can companies streamline and simplify the roles of their security teams, leveraging AI and automation?

AI-powered tools can handle routine tasks like threat monitoring, anomaly detection, and incident response, reducing the manual workload for security personnel. Automation can be implemented to orchestrate and execute response actions, enabling faster incident resolution and minimising human error.

By integrating AI-driven technologies into security operations, companies empower their teams to focus on strategic tasks such as threat analysis, policy development, and proactive security measures, ultimately enhancing overall cybersecurity posture while optimising resource utilisation.

With the evolving threats and regulatory requirements, how can organisations e ectively ensure the security of their data in the cloud?

Organisations must prioritise a comprehensive cloudbased approach. This includes encryption of data both in transit and at rest, robust access controls, and continuous monitoring for suspicious activities.

Regular security audits and compliance assessments help adhere to evolving regulatory requirements.

Utilising cloud-native security solutions and leveraging AI for threat detection and response further strengthens defenses. Additionally, developing a culture of security awareness among employees through training and policies minimises the risk of human error. By combining these strategies, organisations can mitigate risks and protect their sensitive data in the cloud.

What did you showcase at GISEC 2024 and how will it improve the security posture of enterprises in the Middle East?

At the recent GISEC event, we showcased Purple AI, an advanced security analyst empowering early threat detection and rapid response. Our flagship Singularity Platform, featuring Singularity for Identity, Cloud Workload Security, and the Singularity Data Lake, breaks down security silos for enterprise-wide visibility and control driven by real-time AI.

With Purple AI and Singularity, organisations gain the ability to identify threats earlier, respond faster, and stay ahead of attacks. This secures enterprises in the Middle East by protecting every surface of their attack landscape and enhancing resilience through actionable insights from the Singularity Data Lake.

“BY INTEGRATING AI-DRIVEN TECHNOLOGIES INTO SECURITY OPERATIONS, COMPANIES EMPOWER THEIR TEAMS TO FOCUS ON STRATEGIC TASKS SUCH AS THREAT ANALYSIS, POLICY DEVELOPMENT, AND PROACTIVE SECURITY MEASURES, ULTIMATELY ENHANCING OVERALL CYBERSECURITY

POSTURE WHILE OPTIMISING RESOURCE UTILISATION.”

MERIAM EL OUAZZANI

DRIVING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN SAUDI ARABIA

Since the early days of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative and the country’s digital transformation plans, one company, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has been there since the beginning

By Gareth van Zyl

Cra ting and driving many of Saudi Arabia’s digitisation e orts has been one of the key tasks that consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has been tasked with in recent years.

At LEAP 2024 in Riyadh, PwC Middle East announced six strategic agreements with prominent local entities: Ahad, Digital Government Authority (DGA), Ejada, Mobily, Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), and Tawuniya (in partnership with Oracle).

Riyadh Al Najjar, the Saudi Arabia country leader for PwC Middle East, has previously emphasised the transformative potential of technology in realising Vision 2030, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in innovation. At LEAP 2024, he highlighted PwC’s role in catalysing change and guiding organisations towards a future abundant in innovation and prosperity.

In an interview with Gulf Business, Fadi Komati, Tech Strategy and Regulations lead at PwC Middle East, has underscored the significance of these agreements in driving the Saudi Vision 2030 forward.

He has further emphasised the pivotal role of technology transformations in translating the vision into reality and a rmed PwC’s commitment to supporting clients in delivering excellence and nurturing next-generation talent in Saudi Arabia.

From aspects such as AI, smart destinations, property technology, space innovation, geospatial analytics,

RIYADH AL NAJJAR

SAUDI ARABIA COUNTRY LEADER

MIDDLE EAST

“GOVERNMENTS IN THE REGION, INCLUDING SAUDI ARABIA, ARE ADVANCING THEIR SPACE PROGRAMMES WITH AMBITIOUS GOALS. PWC SUPPORTS THESE ENDEAVOURS BY LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY, SUCH AS AI, DATA ANALYTICS, AND IMAGE RECOGNITION, TO ENHANCE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF SPACE MISSIONS.”

technologies like AI and machine learning enable proactive service delivery aligned with significant life events. Whether it’s a child’s graduation triggering university applications or the birth of a child prompting essential document issuance, these services are seamlessly facilitated through technology interfaces, enhancing citizen-government interactions.

How does PwC contribute to digital transformation initiatives?

PwC offers a spectrum of services ranging from strategy development to execution, supporting government entities in their digital endeavours. This includes formulating comprehensive government and portal strategies, implementing digital platforms, and automating back-office processes. With partnerships with major technology players like Oracle, SAP, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, PwC ensures the delivery of technology-agnostic solutions, followed by ongoing support and managed services.

and tourism digitisation, Komati has said that there are many key digitisation opportunities in the kingdom. In this interview, Komati reveals more.

How long have you been based out of Saudi Arabia for?

Yes, I have been based in Saudi Arabia for about 20 years, witnessing the transformative changes within the Kingdom. As part of a large team in the early 2010s, I contributed to drafting the National Transformation Plan and Vision 2030. Since then, I have seen significant progress and ambitious plans, such as LEAP, driving towards the Vision 2030 objectives, heavily relying on digital transformation.

What does digital transformation entail, especially in Saudi Arabia?

Digital transformation leverages technology to streamline services and provide seamless user experiences. For instance, in the realm of cognitive government, advanced

Artificial Intelligence is a significant focus this year. How is PwC integrating AI into its services? AI integration is integral to PwC’s service delivery, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. From automating mundane tasks to generating code and applications swiftly, AI optimises internal processes. Externally, PwC assists clients in embracing AI within their digital transformations, customising services through data analysis and AI-driven insights, ultimately improving stakeholder experiences.

What about space technology? How does PwC contribute in that area?

Governments in the region, including Saudi Arabia, are advancing their space programmes with ambitious goals. PwC supports these endeavours by leveraging technology, such as AI, data analytics, and image recognition, to enhance various aspects of space missions. From autonomous rocket navigation to satellite-based telecommunications and advanced satellite imagery analysis, PwC facilitates the integration of technology to drive innovation and efficiency in space-related activities.

ENABLING BETTER HYBRID WORKING SPACES IN SAUDI

Global tech giant Logitech has developed hybrid communication tools that use AI to improve the communications experience. Hardware in this space is also advancing rapidly. Interestingly, Logitech is further entrenching its position in big emerging markets such as Saudi Arabia, as Mohammed Sharif, the regional sales manager at Logitech Middle East, explains in this interview

MOHAMMED SHARIF

REGIONAL SALES MANAGER

LOGITECH MIDDLE EAST

TBy Gareth van Zyl

with a front-of-room camera such as the Logitech Rally Bar or Rally Bar Mini to provide a front-and-centre view of meeting participants around the table. In this interview, Sharif provides further insight into his company’s operations and strategy in Saudi Arabia.

Mohammed, what are the key focus areas that Logitech is currently rolling out in countries such as Saudi Arabia, particularly in the enterprise sector? Logitech is renowned on the consumer side, but we are equally recognised in the enterprise sector, where we provide video conferencing solutions for meeting rooms. Our aim is to create modern workspaces by integrating with various virtual communication platforms such as Microso t Zoom, Cisco Webex, etc. Our main objective is to simplify the user experience, enabling IT and non-IT sta to engage in video collaboration e ortlessly.

Given the significant changes in this post-pandemic environment, could you provide insights into how o ce workers are communicating these days, considering your involvement in setting up infrastructure?

he impact of Covid-19 has completely changed the way the world goes to work, with work from home and hybrid working spaces becoming far more commonplace as a result. For example, gig economy platform Upwork has estimated that 22 per cent of the US workforce (about 36 million Americans) will work remotely by the year 2025.

In countries such as the UAE, it’s commonplace for many companies to allow their workers to work from home. The key challenge with remote work, as ever, is keeping e ective communication and productivity going. Here, technology is evolving beyond simple Zoom or Microso t Teams calls to include other, more sophisticated enterprise technologies that enable both hybrid and remote collaboration. In Saudi Arabia, the biggest market in the GCC, this trend is equally relevant, according to Mohammed Sharif, the regional sales manager at Logitech Middle East.

In fact, earlier this year at LEAP 2024, the company showcased some of its latest AI-driven communications technology such as its RightSight, RightSound, and RighLight o ering. RightSight uses AI to detect people and frame people to create more immersive meeting experiences. Meanwhile, RightSound optimises the human voice and enhances conversational clarity. Finally, RightLight helps everyone look their best on camera, regardless of lighting conditions. Logitech also showcased its Rally Bar Huddle, which brings a premium video conferencing experience to huddle and small rooms at the touch of a button. The company further showcased Logitech Sight, an AI-powered tabletop companion camera that works

Certainly, modern workspaces are now divided into three categories. The first is ‘Personal Workspaces’, where individuals maintain their home desks with enterprise solutions. The second is the ‘Teamwork Space’, encompassing meeting rooms and the o ce environment. The last category is ‘Flexibility’, where emphasis is placed on desk comfort and mobility. We o er three solutions to facilitate access to meetings.

So, if I understand correctly, is the focus primarily on enabling a hybrid environment?

Yes, precisely. The aim is to enable and simplify connectivity. Since meetings shouldn’t be a concern for IT, we prioritise the user experience for non-IT sta by o ering plug-and-play devices.

What is Logitech’s perspective on the local Saudi Arabian market? How much e ort and energy is Logitech investing in this market, and why?

We have a dedicated Logitech team in Saudi Arabia, covering the central, west, and east regions, along with our service partners. Our comprehensive system includes distribution channels and tier-two service partners, demonstrating Logitech’s commitment to the Saudi market. We recognise the potential and align with Vision 2030, introducing new initiatives to the market.

Are there any unique attributes about how corporate o ce workers communicate in the Saudi market?

Large-scale customers increasingly embrace the hybrid environment, providing it as an option for their employees. Consequently, the need for appropriate infrastructure has become paramount. What was once an accessory solution pre-pandemic is now a core solution for every entity in Saudi Arabia.

SPACE OBSERVATION: A FAST-GROWING SECTOR IN SAUDI ARABIA

The technology behind space observation satellites has evolved dramatically over the years, and both the public and private sectors are highly involved in using this technology for various purposes. One of the biggest companies in this space, Serco, has also just moved its regional Middle East headquarters to Saudi Arabia. In this interview, Amar Vora, who is the head of space at Serco Middle East, tells us about opportunities in this field

By Gareth van Zyl

What does Serco do?

Serco is a global, multinational services company. We provide services directly to the government, but we also work with private sectors to enable the services that we provide to the government across a multitude of different sectors, everything from transport, healthcare, all the way through to defence and space. When I say services, a lot of our services revolve around operations, management, and also enabling services that provide the government with the ability to deliver programmes to its citizens. For example, if you walk through Dubai Airport,

a lot of the ground sta supporting passengers through the airport — they are all our personnel. But we have a large presence in space globally and that’s something that I’m responsible for.

In terms of space, we are quite active in the European context providing services to the European Space Agency (ESA) in terms of operating some of their most powerful Earth observation spacecra t to date. We are the operators behind those spacecra t, but we also manage the ground infrastructure on behalf of the agency. And we have quite a big division around understanding how we can utilise the space data for novel applications across many di erent sectors. Part of my responsibility, as head of space in the Middle East, is looking at how we can leverage all the capabilities that we have globally in space and bring them to the emerging market in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia and UAE.

AMAR VORA HEAD OF SPACE

SERCO MIDDLE EAST

Earth observation is an interesting concept. Can you tell us more?

Definitely. So when we say observation, it is basically the bird’s eye view of the Earth, everything from a national, global level, all the way down to pinpoint accuracy, down to 50 centimetres or less, in some cases. And yes, the number of applications are endless and are being discovered on a day-to-day basis. We are seeing everything from oil and gas operators now using Earth observation data to better monitor their pipeline network to monitoring methane emissions, which is now of growing importance in this climate area that we’re in, at the moment, globally. From the agricultural sector using Earth observation data to better monitor their crops and understand the yield of their crops. In addition, the technology used to track maritime ship tracking, for example, is an application that maybe the more defence or security related entities are more interested in. Earth observation is a growing market at the moment and we’re starting to see more space assets, satellites, being launched with different types of earth observation technologies. This includes everything from optical — what you and I see today, down to very fine sort of granularity — and all the way through to radar synthetic aperture radar, which can see through clouds. It can also see through subsurface properties as well to hyperspectral which allows us to derive various characteristics from the data and and being able to diffuse all these types of data sets allows us to have more powerful insights that allow the decision makers in the market to understand what’s happening across the areas that are of interest to them. So part of my responsibility and what I’m actively working on in the Middle East is looking at how we can bring in Earth observation, data analysis, and insights to support the decision makers in these regions to better prepare for what’s to come.

Serco has a presence in Saudi Arabia correct?

Yes, our regional headquarters are actually in Saudi Arabia. We moved it earlier this year and we are currently in a lot of the giga projects. So we have operations in AlUla, we have operations in the Red Sea as well. And we work with many royal commissions across many different programmes. Currently, a lot of our services do revolve around advisory services. It’s a model that we

“IN TERMS OF SPACE, WE ARE QUITE ACTIVE IN THE EUROPEAN CONTEXT PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY (ESA) IN TERMS OF OPERATING SOME OF THEIR MOST POWERFUL EARTH OBSERVATION SPACECRAFT TO DATE.”

SO WHEN WE SAY OBSERVATION, IT IS BASICALLY THE BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE EARTH, EVERYTHING FROM A NATIONAL, GLOBAL LEVEL, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO PINPOINT ACCURACY, DOWN TO 50 CENTIMETRES OR LESS, IN SOME CASES.

have adopted, dubbed advisory with purpose. It’s a division that we launched last year, which looks at providing advisory services to operate in the long run because that is where our strengths lie because that is where we find that our customers really do value the operational perspective that we bring into this. And when it comes to space, even though there is a heritage space sector here in Saudi Arabia, it is still quite nascent. There are very ambitious clients coming out of the Saudi Space Agency and hopefully soon to be launched a national space strategy which will outline their full extent of their ambition, which we expect to be quite ambitious and quite grand, and we are positioning ourselves to be one of the key partners to government and to the wider space ecosystem in this market as they grow into the different components of the space value chain. So we already have quite a big presence, several 100 personnel in Saudi Arabia, a couple of 1000 across the Middle East and we see Saudi as being one of our key growth markets for the region, if not globally and we are continuing to invest in our growth in this region. Another area that we see as quite important for us to enable the services we want to deliver is the Saudisation aspect. We are fully committed to ensuring that we train, transfer and transform knowledge in the Saudi community and that’s through direct recruitment and training programmes or through training and transfer programmes to our customers themselves.

Would demand for your services range from public governments to private corporations as well?

That’s right. And we have traditionally been a public service provider. We’ve traditionally worked directly with the public, but we are starting to explore what it means to work directly with the private sector as well. This is because our services really can be used across the board, especially when it comes to the remit that I am involved in, which is space. Space has no bounds, space has no limit. So an application for one user can quite easily be an application for a private sector user.

NAVIGATING CLOUD SECURITY

We explore the challenges organisations face from cloud adoption and how they can harness its power securely

By Neesha Salian

EMEA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AND SECURITY STRATEGIST TENABLE

Q&A

The UAE is focused on becoming a global hub for business and innovation which is driving digital transformation in the region. This has led to rapid adoption of cloud technologies.

A recent report from McKinsey & Company suggests that cloud services could deliver as much as $183bn in value by 2030, generated from creating and scaling new products.

In an interview with Gulf Business, Bernard Montel, EMEA technical director and security strategist at Tenable, explores the challenges organisations face from cloud adoption and how they can harness its power securely.

What are key considerations organisations should consider when adopting the cloud?

Business leaders have embraced cloud technology to revolutionise their working practices. Public cloud o ers scalability, fl exibility and freedom to work wherever, whenever. However with it comes risks as the modern attack surface is more complex with more moving parts – virtual machines, containers, Kubernetes, serverless, data, networks, and identities – including people, and machines. O ten distributed across multiple cloud providers. According to IDC, having two cloud environments does not double the complexity, but quadruples it.

Identities in particular are an emerging threat given they are the keys to accessing cloud resources. If compromised, they enable attackers to gain access to everything, particularly sensitive data and systems. Ensuring we keep our credentials private, so not overly sharing them, is a quick win.

Who is responsible for security in the cloud?

The short answer is we all are. In any kind of cloud deployment model, even in So tware as a Service (SaaS) where operating system and application layer security are managed by the SaaS provider, organisations are still required to protect their own data, identities and application configurations.

One of the biggest challenges organisations face with the cloud is that vulnerabilities impacting cloud service providers are not reported in a security advisory or assigned a CVE identifier; they are o ten addressed by the CSP without notice to the end user. This lack of transparency makes risk assessment challenging. Without release notes, security advisories or any identifier for tracking, organsations face massive challenges in evaluating the security posture of a cloud provider.

Thinking broadly when securing the cloud, there is more to consider than how cloud-specific resources are configured to determine security posture. Security teams must audit the identity aspect, virtual machines, serverless functions, Kubernetes clusters, and containers, etc. From there, organisations can map the relationships between identities and systems they access. Understanding this context enables proper assessment of exposures and allows security teams to prioritise remediation based on actual risk.

Beyond the general guidance, what are some steps organisations can take to boost cloud security? While the technology skills gap has been a recurring challenge for many years, recent reports suggest that this is particularly true in the cybersecurity sector. Organisations o ten share that resources are constrained by a lack of ‘good people’ to hire. All too o ten they su er from a lack of resources, expertise, or both, making it even more important to take action to reduce risk rather than reactively contain incidents. Almost daily there are headlines where a cloud instance has been inadvertently misconfigured with

BERNARD MONTEL

“BUSINESS LEADERS HAVE EMBRACED CLOUD TECHNOLOGY TO REVOLUTIONISE THEIR WORKING PRACTICES. PUBLIC CLOUD OFFERS SCALABILITY, FLEXIBILITY AND FREEDOM TO WORK WHEREVER, WHENEVER.”

the result that a database or other sensitive system has been left exposed.

Organisations must be laser-focused on robust identity practices and access management controls to have the greatest impact and help reduce risk to boost cloud security. One key takeaway is that identities are the keys to accessing cloud resources. If compromised, they enable attackers to gain access to everything, particularly sensitive data and systems.

You were at GISEC this year. What did Tenable showcase at the event? We showcased our exposure management solutions that illuminate the attack paths that exist within an organisations› infrastructure, across IT and operational technology environments, before threat actors can exploit them. These include:

Tenable One Exposure Management Platform — combines risk-based vulnerability management, web application security, cloud security and identity security.

Tenable Cloud Security — a multi-cloud solution that simplifies cloud complexity and, through precise contextual analysis, enables teams to efficiently identify and address accurately prioritized security gaps.

Tenable OT Security — an industrial security solution that identifies assets in the OT environment, communicates risk, prioritizes action and enables IT and OT security teams to work better together.

Tenable Identity Exposure — a fast, agentless Active Directory and Azure AD security solution that allows organisations to see everything in their complex AD environment, predict what matters to reduce risk and eliminate attack paths before attackers exploit them.

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SAFEGUARDING AGAINST VULNERABILITIES

From cloud intrusions to supply chain vulnerabilities, CrowdStrike’s Roland Daccache offers invaluable insights and strategic recommendations to fortify organisations against evolving threats

By Neesha Salian

ROLAND DACCACHE SENIOR MANAGER OF SYSTEMS ENGINEERING CROWDSTRIKE

Q&A

With the increasing prevalence of cloud intrusions and supply chain attacks, what strategies do you recommend organisations adopt to protect their digital assets?

It is essential for organisations to understand the attack surface within the parameters of their business. Digital assets are scattered across cloud environments, subsidiaries and third-party vendors, and they represent many of the easiest entry points to internal networks and the sensitive data they contain, leading to increased exposure to cyber risk. Therefore, taking stock of an organisation’s digital footprint is important.Once this is done, we recommend an organisation to follow the below five tips to stay protected:

01. Make identity protection a must-have

Due to high success rates, identity-based and social engineering attacks surged in 2023. Stolen credentials grant adversaries swi t access and control — an instant gateway to a breach. To counter these threats, it is essential to implement phishing-resistant multifactor authentication and extend it to legacy systems and protocols, educate teams on social engineering and implement technology that can detect and correlate threats across identity, endpoint and cloud environments.

02. Prioritise cloud-native application protection platforms (CNAPPs)

Cloud adoption is exploding as companies realize the potential for innovation and business agility that the cloud o ers. Due to this growth, the cloud is rapidly becoming a major battleground for cyberattacks. Businesses need full cloud visibility, including into applications and APIs, to eliminate misconfigurations, vulnerabilities and other

security threats. CNAPPs are critical: Cloud security tools shouldn’t exist in isolation, and CNAPPs provide a unified platform that simplifies monitoring, detecting and acting on potential cloud security threats and vulnerabilities.

03. Gain visibility across the most critical areas of enterprise risk

Adversaries o ten use valid credentials to access cloudfacing victim environments and then use legitimate tools to execute their attack, making it di cult for defenders to di erentiate between normal user activity and a breach. To identify this type of attack, it’s important to understand the relationship between identity, cloud, endpoint and data protection telemetry, which may be in separate systems. By consolidating into a unified security platform with AI capabilities, organisations have complete visibility in one place and can easily control their operations. With a consolidated security platform, organisations save time and money and can quickly and confidently discover, identify and stop breaches.

04. Drive e ciency as adversaries are getting faster

It takes adversaries an average of 62 minutes – and the fastest only two minutes – to move laterally from an initially compromised host to another host within the environment. Legacy SIEM solutions have failed the SOC. They are too slow, complex and costly, and they were designed for an age when data volumes – and adversary speed and sophistication – were a fraction of what they are today. Businesses need a tool that’s faster, easier to deploy and more cost-e ective than legacy SIEM solutions.

05. Build a cybersecurity culture

Though technology is clearly critical in the fight to detect and stop intrusions, the end user remains a crucial link in the chain to stop breaches. User awareness programs should be initiated to combat the continued threat of

phishing and related social engineering techniques. For security teams, practice makes perfect. Encourage an environment that routinely performs tabletop exercises and red/blue teaming to identify gaps and eliminate weaknesses in your cybersecurity practices and response.

How are you addressing the challenges posed by cloud intrusions and supply chain vulnerabilities?

Our latest 2024 Global Threat Report shows that cloud intrusions increased by 75 per cent with cloud-conscious cases increasing by 110 per cent year-on-year. As far as supply chain vulnerabilities are concerned, throughout 2023, targeted intrusion actors consistently attempted to exploit trusted relationships to gain initial access to organisations across multiple verticals and regions. To address vulnerabilities posed by cloud environments and third-party relationships, CrowdStrike is innovating relentlessly across the CrowdStrike Falcon platform – from endpoint security and XDR, cloud security, managed services, security and IT operations, threat intelligence, identity protection, data protection and observability.

Cloud security is very important to CrowdStrike and our recent acquisition of Flow Security, the industry’s first and only cloud data runtime security solution, is testament to that. As cloud has emerged as the new cyber battleground, organisations must implement a unified security platform that natively protects data at rest and in motion as it traverses across the cloud estate. This acquisition builds on our cloud momentum, which includes the acquisition of Bionic last year. With this acquisition, we will offer the industry’s most comprehensive cloud security platform.

How does CrowdStrike leverage AI to both defend against and augment stealthy attack campaigns?

The CrowdStrike Falcon platform represents the cutting edge of AI-native cybersecurity. AI enhances CrowdStrike Falcon Identity Threat Detection to provide visibility into identity-based attacks and thwart lateral attack movement within networks. The Falcon platform also leverages AI-powered IOAs and AI-powered behavioral analysis for enhanced threat detection. CrowdStrike Falcon Insight XDR brings AI-native capabilities to extended endpoint threat detection and response. Our Charlotte AI leverages the latest in generative AI to provide an intelligent

“BY CONSOLIDATING INTO A UNIFIED SECURITY PLATFORM WITH AI CAPABILITIES, ORGANISATIONS HAVE COMPLETE VISIBILITY IN ONE PLACE AND CAN EASILY CONTROL THEIR OPERATIONS.”

security assistant to help users of all skill levels as they take on the complexities of DevSecOps.

What advancements in AI-driven cybersecurity solutions do you foresee in the coming years to combat increasingly sophisticated threats? As adversaries reach new heights of attack sophistication with AI, organisations must also be equipped to meet them on the battlefield with an equal, if not superior, response. Things like conversational AI will make security teams faster, more productive and help them to learn new skills, which is critical to beat the adversaries in the emerging generative AI arms race. We’ve seen this impact firsthand with Charlotte AI. The generative assistant is a gamechanger for security teams, delivering insights about their environments that are quick, actionable and accurate in a conversational and easy-to-understand way via conversational AI. By leveraging multiple foundational AI models, Charlotte AI turns hours of work into minutes or seconds, democratising cybersecurity and delivering value across the entire Falcon platform.

Access brokers have gained attention for their role in facilitating cyberattacks. Tell us how they operate within the cybercrime ecosystem. Access brokers are threat actors who gain and sell access to organisations to facilitate criminal activities. Access brokers are highly organised and advertise on underground forums, often categorizing their offerings with contextual details such as business vertical, revenue and asset exploitation. Our report states that the number of accesses advertised by access brokers increased by 20 per cent in 2023 compared to 2022.

Many access brokers carefully study their victims. They analyse organisations’ attack surfaces to find vulnerabilities they can exploit or use sophisticated social engineering techniques to trick employees and steal credentials. Access brokers seek the path of least resistance into an organisation and have quickly adapted as endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities have evolved to better detect them. In 2023, academic, retail, and professional services were the top three targeted sectors according to our report.

Which industries do you see as the most vulnerable to cyber threats currently, and why?

Today’s cyber threats are particularly alarming due to the widespread use of interactive intrusion techniques, which involve adversaries mimicking expected user and administrator behaviour, making it difficult for defenders to differentiate between legitimate user activity and a cyberattack. In 2023, CrowdStrike observed a 60 per cent year-over-year increase in the number of interactive intrusion campaigns, with a 73 per cent increase in the second half compared to 2022. The most frequently targeted industries were technology, telecommunications, finance and government.

BY LEVERAGING MULTIPLE FOUNDATIONAL AI MODELS, CHARLOTTE AI TURNS HOURS OF WORK INTO MINUTES OR SECONDS

THE RISING POPULARITY AND IMPACT OF REAL-TIME PAYMENTS

For businesses, it’s time to rethink where real-time payments sit in the customer journey and the end-to-end payments landscape, says ACI Worldwide’s Santhosh Rao

By Neesha Salian

Q&A

While the benefits of the region’s move towards a ‘cashless economy’ are somewhat obvious, why is the growing utilisation of real-time payments –essentially a subset of electronic payments – so important?

Real-time payments (RTP) are the pinnacle of electronic payments, allowing the full potential and promise of the paradigm to be unlocked. According to our Prime Time for Real-Time report, real-time payments in the Middle East region accounted for 12 per cent of electronic transactions in 2023 and are expected to grow to 22 per cent by 2028.

As the name suggests, real-time payments are payments that are initiated and settled in real-time. Money is transferred instantaneously between banks and banking systems, providing immediate funds availability and up-to-the-second account information for both the sender and receiver. This brings a host of benefits, such as the ability to instantly transfer funds to family and friends with a few taps and swipes, or conveniently pay for a product or service via a link or QR code.

Payroll is another area where real-time can be immensely impactful, allowing gig workers to be paid instantly for services rendered. For businesses, real-time payment improves cash flow and liquidity.

Apart from enabling instant settlements, real-time payments have proven to be safer than other systems such as cash, cards and checks. Because they have more metadata associated with each transaction, they can help e ectively fight fraud and conduct analytics. They also o er robust traceability, with clear delineation of where funds came from, where they go and why.

Given the potential benefits, what are the implications for consumers and businesses of the region being the fastest-growing RTP market globally for a second consecutive year?

According to our report, the Middle East has been crowned the fastest-growing real-time payments market globally for the second consecutive year. The 2023-2028 CAGR for the region is 28.8 per cent, outpacing the global CAGR of 16.7 per cent, and transactions are expected to rise from 855 million to 3 billion by 2028.

Oman, Kuwait and Qatar all launched schemes in 2023, joining the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and UAE.

As consumers’ preferences shi t towards digital payments with rising expectations for immediacy and frictionless experience, payments go beyond a transaction and become a powerful touchpoint for businesses to di erentiate themselves. For businesses, it’s time to rethink where real-time payments sit in the customer journey and the end-to-end payments landscape.

Financial institutions will have to work more closely with fintechs and digital wallet providers to power the rich overlay services that fuel frequent use by enabling di erentiated customer experiences across numerous payment channels. We expect to see more merchants and consumers embracing real-time payments through apps, QR codes and mobile wallets.

Can you tell us about the work ACI Worldwide has done in supporting regional governments and enterprises in advancing their RTP maturity. What are some of the learnings from these e orts?

As the real-time payments partner of choice for countless organisations, we specialise in delivering so tware that enables banks, merchants and billers to bring new payment types to market at speed, adapt to shi ting regulatory mandates, and rapidly launch new valueadded services according to consumer demand.

Globally, ACI powers 26 domestic and pan-regional real-time schemes across six continents, including 10 central infrastructures, providing solutions to central banks, participant banks, fintechs and other payment service providers.

In the region, we work with several leading government and private-sector financial entities. This includes our close collaboration with the central bank of one of the GCC countries to successfully implement the nation’s real-time payments scheme.

This payment modernisation initiative enables the country’s banks to move forward with the digitalisation

SANTHOSH RAO

SVP MEASA

ACI WORLDWIDE

“REAL-TIME PAYMENTS THRIVE IN INDIA AND BRAZIL, WHERE INNOVATIVE USE CASES HAVE FOUND MASS ADOPTION BY CONSUMERS OR BUSINESSES.”

of bank branches, offering customers new, innovative financial services.

To protect customers against rising fraud attacks, this central bank also deployed ACI Fraud Management, our enterprise fraud management and prevention solution. Using advanced machine learning, behavioural biometrics capabilities, predictive analytics, and expertly defined rules, this solution helps the nation’s banks identify and mitigate financial crime.

Globally, India and Brazil are far ahead of the pack in terms of RTP maturity. What are some of the most impactful use cases already implemented in those markets that you believe will deliver the most value for businesses and consumers in the Middle East? Real-time payments thrive in India and Brazil, where innovative use cases have found mass adoption by consumers or businesses. Mobile wallets and QR codes are fast entry points, connecting consumers to

real-time payment rails domestically and internationally.

Our report has found a strong correlation between real-time payment growth and mobile wallet adoption. In India, 91 per cent of consumers used mobile wallets in 2023. In Brazil, the instant availability of funds and easy access via mobile have made PIX more popular than card payments. Brazil’s mobile-first consumers can now open bank accounts fully digitally, making PIX widely available for peer-to-peer, bill, retail and e-commerce payments.

Merchant adoption and uptake are crucial for real-time payments growth and ubiquity. Whether utility or tax bills, transport tickets or road tolls, subscription payments or the weekly grocery shop, consumers in successful markets are now paying in real time via QR codes, mobile apps or online accounts.

In India, cross-border linkages are a major opportunity for value growth. Cross-border payment has the potential to significantly reduce the costs associated with international money transfers, spurring trade, tourism and remittances, paving the way for more use cases. Countries like Singapore, France, UAE, Malaysia and Indonesia have already accepted India’s UPI, with more countries rolling it out.

It seems almost inevitable that new financial instruments raise issues with new types of fraud and crime. Are there nuances in securing real-time payments that regional governments and financial institutions should be aware of?

To effectively address the growing impact of fraud and financial crime and harness the power of payment data, banks and financial institutions are challenged to unify immense volumes of diverse data across the payments ecosystem, in real-time, to facilitate precise, intelligent decision-making with optimal efficiency.

As the financial world moves into the era of artificial intelligence (AI), it is critical to be proactive, rather than prescriptive, in combatting scammers. Generative AI is changing the nature, speed and scale of attacks, and the industry is rising to the challenge with consumer rights, education programs and government interventions.

Failures in legacy infrastructure exacerbate the rise of fraud. Many merchants experience false positives due to outdated payment models, which drives the need to update AI models. However, this incurs costs for merchants and results in either customer friction or lost revenue.

Additionally, the growing variety of digital payment options complicates security management. Denying access to preferred payment methods reduces revenue directly.

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BREAKING NEW GROUND IN SAUDI’S ENTERPRISE SPACE

Cloud communications and workstream collaboration services company, Avaya, has expanded to almost 200 countries ever since being established in 2000. Saudi Arabia, in particular, has proven to be a key market for the company. In this interview, Ahmad Dorra – who is the sales leader for customer experience solutions Middle East, Africa & Turkey at Avaya – reveals his take on the opportunities for enterprise tech in the kingdom

Enterprise tech player Avaya has become well-known across the globe for supplying contact centres and communications solutions that many corporations have come to rely on.

The company provides services to 220,000 customer locations in 190 countries across the globe. One of those locations is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the company has had a presence for many years.

This year, Avaya also had a presence at LEAP 2024, which is one of the region’s biggest technology conferences. And with artificial intelligence on the rise, the company has also pivoted towards this latest technology trend in a big way.

By Gareth van Zyl

“As Saudi organisations transform, they are looking to AI to enhance e ciency, improve experience personalisation, and deliver granular customer insights – all without compromising security or privacy,” said Nidal Abou-Ltaif, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Sales, Avaya, and President, Avaya International in a statement regarding LEAP.

“But they also need to be able to innovate at their own pace, enhancing existing capabilities while preserving the trusted and reliable experiences they have built over time,” he said.

Ahmad Dorra — who is the sales leader for customer experience solutions Middle East, Africa & Turkey at Avaya — was also one of the team from Avaya who attended the event.

And he too has a good understanding of the Saudi Arabian market and the opportunities it presents. In this interview with Gulf Business, he explained more about how his company is approaching the GCC market.

AHMAD DORRA SALES LEADER FOR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE SOLUTIONS

MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA & TURKEY AT AVAYA

“AT AVAYA, WE VIEW OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH CUSTOMERS AS PARTNERSHIPS RATHER THAN MERE TRANSACTIONS. OUR APPROACH TO AI ISN’T MERELY ABOUT DEPLOYING TECHNOLOGY BUT RATHER ABOUT STRATEGICALLY LEVERAGING AI ACCORDING TO SPECIFIC VERTICALS AND BUSINESS PROCESSES.”

You recently represented Avaya at the LEAP event in Saudi Arabia. Could you elaborate on Avaya’s observations regarding the current state of the Saudi market and how it aligns with the company’s strategic objectives?

Avaya has established a significant presence in Saudi Arabia, boasting a major office in the region. Given this, the Saudi market holds immense importance for us within the broader GCC landscape. We take pride in serving a diverse and extensive customer base in Saudi Arabia. The market’s trajectory is fascinating as it undergoes rapid transformation, particularly in its embrace of innovative technologies to enhance citizen and customer experiences. Specifically, we’ve noted a significant uptick in AI adoption, especially concerning customer experience initiatives.

Given the momentum you’ve described in the Saudi market, do you foresee Saudi Arabia surpassing the UAE in terms of demand for Avaya’s solutions and services?

Saudi Arabia undeniably presents substantial opportunities for growth and development. While we cater to

the entire GCC region, there’s a palpable momentum in Saudi Arabia, particularly among forward-thinking customers eager to leverage cutting-edge solutions. Our role extends beyond merely providing technology; we actively partner with our customers to facilitate seamless adoption, aligning with their unique strategies and objectives.

Can you delve further into how Avaya is embracing and adapting to AI technologies, particularly within the context of the Saudi market?

Absolutely. At LEAP, we’ve highlighted our focus on generative AI, which represents a significant evolution beyond conventional AI applications like ChatBots. We’re expanding the horizons of AI within the customer experience realm, empowering businesses to drive growth and foster customer loyalty through innovative solutions.

It seems Avaya’s approach to AI extends beyond conventional chatbot functionalities. Could you elaborate on how Avaya collaborates with its customers to leverage AI effectively?

We view our relationships with customers as partnerships rather than mere transactions. Our approach to AI isn’t merely about deploying technology but rather about strategically leveraging AI according to specific verticals and business processes. Drawing from our extensive global experience, we work closely with our customers to deliver tailored AI solutions that address their unique challenges and objectives, ultimately enhancing their overall experiences.

Lastly, could you shed some light on how the Saudi Arabian government has responded to Avaya’s offerings in the market?

As part of our strategy, we’re committed to aligning with the dynamic pace of the market. With a substantial presence among government clients, we’re actively collaborating with them to chart out roadmaps for complex technologies like AI. It’s a collaborative journey, and we’re dedicated to working closely with our government partners to deliver on our promises and drive meaningful impact across the kingdom.

TRANSFORMING GAMING LANDSCAPE WITH WEB3

GameCentric’s Saad Khan talks about his strategic plans to revolutionise gaming with a shift to Web3, build a diverse audience base in MENA and launch innovative brand engagement strategies

By Marisha Singh

SAAD KHAN FOUNDER AND CEO GAMECENTRIC

Q&A

Tell us about your platform. GameCentric was launched in December 2023 with significant funding of $1.5m from an angel investor. What sets us apart is our comprehensive understanding of the gaming industry, backed by insights from our diverse team of gamers. Through a comparison of 12 global platforms, we identified critical gaps, such as inconsistent tournaments and a lack of prize pools. Unlike many platforms that prioritise esports, GameCentric caters to both casual and competitive gaming. We aim to address infrastructure challenges, including instant prize payouts and enhanced socialisation features for gaming communities. By o ering a centralised platform focused solely on gaming, GameCentric stands out as a dedicated hub for gamers worldwide.

What drove the funding for GameCentric?

The $1.5m investment marks the initial equity round for GameCentric, reflecting the investor’s confidence in our vision. Our investor is deeply committed to technology-driven products, aligning perfectly with our focus. Moreover, our exploration of the crypto and token space underscores our commitment to innovation and futureproofing our platform. The funding infusion will fuel our expansion beyond the MENA region, targeting markets in Southeast Asia, India, South America, and Africa.

What are your expansion plans?

We have expanded our game selection from 15 to over 50 titles. Our expansion plans are geared towards reaching a broader audience and fostering inclusivity within the gaming community. Currently, we boast a registered database of over 135,000 users. Over the next 18 months, we aim to grow our platform to accommodate

approximately 3.5 million gamers from various regions. Notably, we organised one of the first girl gaming tournaments four years ago, before the onset of the pandemic, which was highly successful. Since then, we’ve observed an increasing number of female gamers joining our platform, although their gender isn’t always apparent from their usernames. To better understand our user demographics, we’ve enhanced our platform’s profiling capabilities to gather more comprehensive data about our users. This will enable us to track the participation of female gamers in our tournaments more accurately. Additionally, we’re planning to launch specialised leagues, including a women’s league, a college league, and tournaments for people of determination, to promote inclusivity and diversity within the gaming community.

What distinguishes your Web3 gaming platform from others?

Our Web3.0 gaming platform o ers users the opportunity to play for free while earning rewards in fiat currency, such as dollars, along with loyalty and reward points. We’ve seamlessly integrated a Web3 wallet into our platform, allowing users to sign in using their email address or mobile number, which automatically connects to their Web3 wallet. This incentivises users to transition from fiat to Web3 and acquire tokens, which will be released by us in Q3 this year. Prize pools are readily available on users’ profiles based on the number of fiat or Web3 tokens in their wallet, facilitating easy payout mechanisms.

Why did you choose the UAE as your company’s base? With 20 years of experience in the UAE, establishing our company in Dubai felt like a natural progression. Operating for seven years under the name Gamers of Media events, we rebranded as GameCentric in December 2023. The UAE’s burgeoning gaming industry, coupled with its support for events like the Dubai Esports Gaming Festival, influenced our decision. We actively participate in such events, collaborating with over 100 schools and organising online and o ine tournaments.

Additionally, our focus on gaming education aligns with the UAE’s vision for future job creation, as announced by the Dubai Future Foundation. We aim to contribute to the growth of the gaming ecosystem by providing career opportunities and educational modules to aspiring gamers and developers.

Where do you envision GameCentric in 2030?

Under the GameCentric banner, our goal is to become the world’s largest gamer community within the next five to seven years. We aspire to o er the best user experience by partnering with various game publishers, sponsors, brands, and industry influencers. By 2025, we aim to have a robust and active gaming database, fostering engagement and interaction among users.

Looking ahead to 2030, we envision GameCentric as the go-to platform for gamers worldwide.

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