The Zero-Trust Framework is a Holistic Approach

Careful planning is necessary for securing, managing, and monitoring an enterprise IT infrastructure.

Rather than developing a framework from the ground up, security leaders can leverage publicly available methodologies to enhance their own information security programs.

The zero-trust security model is a wellknown framework that differs from other security approaches in terms of methodology and benefits. This model assumes that all users, devices, and resources are untrustworthy, regardless of their origin or connection to the corporate network.

This is a contrast to traditional security frameworks that establish security boundaries, where those outside are trusted less than those inside. In the zero-trust model, there are no boundaries, and nothing is inherently trusted.

Although this approach is more restrictive, its main advantage is that it provides a more secure environment, protecting against unauthorized access to sensitive data and digital assets.

The reason for this shift is due to the growing number of users, autonomous IoT devices, and networked applications that corporate networks must support.

Many organizations have already abandoned the traditional secure network perimeter security approach as they have moved their apps, data, and services to the cloud and edge compute locations.

The surge of remote workers is another reason for the increased adoption of the zero-trust model. It is clear that the change from boundary-based security to resource-based security was necessary due to the increased attack surface area caused by more distributed users, devices, and networked services.

In this month's issue, we speak to industry experts about the state of Zero Trust Network Architecture in 2023. We hope you enjoy reading the magazine. If you have any suggestions, please write to chris@ ryshamedia.com. Happy reading!

MARCH 2023

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Macnica to Acquire CyberKnight

Macnica Inc, part of Macnica Holdings Inc., a $7.3 billion global value-added-distributor and solutions provider, has announced its intent to acquire a majority stake in Cyber Knight Technologies (CyberKnight).

ManageEngine’s 11th Middle East User Conference Focuses on the Future of Digital Enterprises

ManageEngine, the enterprise IT management division of Zoho Corporation, announced the successful conclusion of its recent 11th Middle East user conference, held at The Ritz Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre. The conference was one of the largest customer events worldwide for the company, which celebrated its 20th anniversary, and brought together customers and partners from across the region.

The two-day event opened with a keynote by ManageEngine president Rajesh Ganesan, who focused on the future of work in the digital enterprise, and a presentation by Chad Routh, the principal analyst at Forrester. “While the expectation is that technologies like AI, edge computing, and extended reality will make future work efficient and optimal, making this technology itself work presents a big challenge for business leaders. ManageEngine’s mission is to address this challenge with a full-stack platform that inherently offers AI, ML, analytics, search, workflows, orchestration, and low code extensibility across the entire stack,” said Ganesan.

Routh highlighted future-fit technology and demonstrated how it enables organizations to reconfigure business structures quickly to ensure their capabilities meet future needs. “Technology executives are realizing that value creation is more important than many of the IT metrics that they have been focusing on all these years. They have discovered that to become a successful modern enterprise—being more adaptive, creative, and resilient—they must first shift their focus from cost efficiency to business value effectiveness. Forrester calls this a Future Fit Technology strategy. Regardless of your current IT maturity levels, getting the right partners and platforms in place—focused on delivering business value—will help accelerate your organization’s success,” Routh remarked during his presentation.

His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, head of cybersecurity, United Arab Emirates government, addressed the gathering on the second day of the event. Participants attended technical workshops on a range of domains such as IT security, identity and access management, IT service management, IT operations management, and unified endpoint management. The event also provided attendees with a platform for networking with their industry peers and one-onone meetings with company leaders.

“ManageEngine has listened to our requirements over the years and has proven its commitment by continuously enhancing its products and improving the customer experience. The conference gave us direct access and quality time to interact with both the technical and leadership teams of the company. Sharing our experiences and challenges with industry colleagues, as well as being able to attend the workshops, was invaluable,” said Jason Ahluwalia, director of global IT services, Kerzner International.

Headquartered in Shin-Yokohama, Japan, Macnica operates globally across Japan, USA, China, Southeast Asia, Australia, India, Brazil, and Europe and focuses on AI, IIoT, mobility, cyber security, big data, healthcare, biotech, retail, robotics, and semiconductors. Macnica’s product portfolio is based on some of the most advanced technologies in the world.

“The company is dedicated to providing customers with local engineering, technical services, support, and solutions. Macnica has been in the cybersecurity business for more than 20 years and has a wide range of cybersecurity solutions. CyberKnight was founded in 2019 by industry veterans Avinash Advani (CEO) and Vivek Gupta (COO) and has rapidly grown into one of the largest cybersecurity VADs in the Middle East in just three years,” the press statement said.

“The strategic relationship will support Macnica’s growth plans to expand its geographical footprint into the Middle East, and then Turkey and Africa in due course. Furthermore, the collaboration will bring together Macnica’s renowned Japanese technology and professional services excellence, paired with CyberKnight’s Zero Trust Security expertise and Middle East experience,” the companies announced.

“Headquartered in Dubai, CyberKnight’s 50+ team has an on-ground presence in key regional markets, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, and Egypt. Since its inception, CyberKnight has developed a channel of more than 400 partners across the region including VARs, SIs, global SIs, MSSPs, and consultants, that have in turn sold one or more of CyberKnight’s 30-vendor cybersecurity portfolio solutions to over 600 enterprises, primarily in the banking & finance, telco, energy, and government sectors,” the press statement added.