The Integrator

Cybersecurity: Protecting What Matters Most

In today's world, technology has become an essential part of our lives. From smartphones to computers, we use technology to stay connected, work, and keep ourselves entertained. However, with the convenience of technology also comes the danger of cyber threats. These threats can compromise our personal information, damage our reputations, and cause significant emotional distress. That's why cybersecurity is not just about protecting our devices and information - it's about protecting what matters most to us.

Imagine waking up one day to find out that your bank account has been drained, your social media accounts have been hacked, and your personal information is being shared online. It's a nightmare scenario that can leave you feeling violated, helpless, and angry. You may wonder how this could happen to you, and what you could have done differently to prevent it.

But there is hope. By taking cybersecurity seriously and implementing strong security measures, we can protect ourselves from potential cyber-attacks. This means using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping software and security programs up-todate, and being cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments.

It may seem like a hassle to take these steps, but it's a small price to pay for protecting what matters most to us. Our personal information, our financial stability, and our emotional well-being are all at stake. By investing in cybersecurity, we can sleep better at night knowing that we are doing everything in our power to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

In conclusion, cybersecurity is not just a matter of protecting our devices and information - it's about protecting what matters most to us. It's about taking control of our digital lives and making sure that we are doing everything we can to stay safe online. So, don't wait until it's too late. Act today and make cybersecurity a priority in your life.

Vivek Sharma Publisher

ACRONIS’ END-OF-YEAR CYBER THREATS REPORT FINDS AVERAGE COST OF DATA BREACHES

Acronis its latest cyberthreats and trends report for the second half of 2022 which found that phishing and the use of MFA fatigue attacks, an extremely effective method used in high-profile breaches, are on the rise. Conducted by Acronis’ of note, the report found that threats from phishing and malicious emails have increased by 60% and the average data breach cost is expected to reach US$5 million by next year. The research team who authored the report also saw social engineering attacks jump in the last four months, accounting for 3% of all attacks. Leaked or stolen credentials, which allow attackers to easily execute cyberattacks and ransomware campaigns, were the cause of almost half of reported breaches in H1 2022.

“The last few months have proven

to be as complex as ever – with new threats constantly emerging and malicious actors continuing to use the same proven playbook for big payouts,” said Candid Wüest, Acronis VP of Cyber Protection Research. “Organizations must prioritize

all-encompassing solutions when looking to mitigate phishing and other hacking attempts in the new year. Attackers are evolving, using some of the tools, like MFA, that we rely on to protect our employees and businesses against us.”

INTERSEC 2023 SETS NEW VISITOR RECORD TO MAKE THIS YEAR ITS LARGEST IN 24 EDITIONS

Europe, Asia, and the Americas accounting for 49 per cent of the total headcount. Footfall meanwhile was spread across 48,331 gross square-metres of dedicated product showcases for commercial and perimeter security, homeland security, fire and rescue, safety and health, and cybersecurity.

“With emerging technologies playing a leading role in driving change across the ecosystem, the success and future of the security and surveillance industry lie in moving from an industry-driven strategy to a customerfocused strategy,” says the report.

Intersec recorded its biggest visitor turnout in history when it wrapped up a three-day run at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) earlier last month.

Some 43,305 industry professionals from 131 countries attended the event’s 24th edition, the largest in the series’ history with over 800 exhibitors from 55 countries spread across nine DWTC halls and the Trade Centre Arena. The visitor turnout saw a significant uptick in international visitors, with attendees from the GCC,

Alex Nicholl, Show Director, Intersec, added: “This year’s heightened visitor numbers underline the industry shift to this new era of cognitive security and surveillance likely to dominate the sector going forward. It demands a heightened focus on customised technology and partnership requirements, both of which Intersec deliver.”

“Such events add real value to the ecosystem as solution providers get an opportunity to showcase their capabilities in the latest technologies and features, while end customers can see live demonstrations and gain a hands-on sense of the technologies they are interested in.

PURE STORAGE FURTHER EXPANDS SLA OFFERINGS FOR EVERGREEN//ONE

Pure Storage has announced continued growth of its subscription service offerings, including its Evergreen portfolio, in addition to a new energy efficiency service level agreement (SLA) for Evergreen/One. The introduction of the new SLA represents the first and only energy efficiency guarantee in the enterprise storage as a service market and supports Pure Storage’s mission to provide customers with the most sustainable storage technology to meet their goals.

Momentum Highlights:

 Evergreen//One Energy Efficiency SLA: On the heels of introducing the Pure1 Sustainability Assessment and the Energy Savings Visualizer to help customers

dramatically reduce their environmental footprint, the new Evergreen//One SLA guarantees energy efficiency for organizations of any size.

 Subscription Services Growth: As a result of increased demand from existing and new customers for its subscription offerings - including its Evergreen Portfolio (Evergreen// One, Evergreen//Forever™, Evergreen//Flex™), Pure Cloud Block Store, and Portworx - in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023, Pure achieved:

Industry Significance:

The enterprise storage industry has long been burdened by substantial energy usage, high costs, short technology refresh cycles, forklift

upgrades, unplanned downtime, and overall data storage complexity.

Global enterprises, however, are on a path to embrace flexible, consumption-based operating models and modern services that both drive stronger value and efficiencies, and contribute to the overall reduction of environmental impact over time.

A recent IT Sustainability Impact Survey revealed that 86% of sustainability program directors recognize that companies cannot reach their sustainability goals without significantly reducing their technology infrastructure energy usage. However, organizations cannot manage sustainability without a reliable and consistent way of measuring it.

KODAK ALARIS EARNS BLI 2023 SCANNER LINE OF THE YEAR AWARD

year, the award recognizes the product line deemed best overall, based on rigorous lab evaluations of several vendors.

“When it comes to document scanning, Kodak Alaris is king,” said Lee Davis, Senior Analyst in Keypoint Intelligence’s Office Group. “Our testing revealed that scanners from Kodak Alaris provide superior media handling, image quality, OCR accuracy, file compression, and workflow automation capabilities compared to the competition.”

Keypoint Intelligence has presented Kodak Alaris with the Buyers Lab (BLI) 2023 Scanner Line of the Year Award. This is the seventh time in eight years that Kodak Alaris has earned this coveted accolade. Each

“We’re extremely proud to once again have our comprehensive product portfolio recognized by Keypoint Intelligence. This award endorses our expertise for image quality, highly accurate data extraction, and successful process automation,” said Don Lofstrom, President & General Manager at Kodak Alaris. “Investment in R&D and a commitment to innovation are high on our list of priorities so that we can deliver on our promise to provide solutions that help businesses turn paper-based information into actionable digital data, quickly and efficiently.”

HPE (ARUBA) - LEADER FOR 17 YEARS RUNNING IN 2022 GARTNER MAGIC QUADRANT

Gartner Inc.’s latest “Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure.” Additionally, in the Gartner companion report “Critical Capabilities for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure,” Aruba scored among the three highest scoring vendors across all five Use Cases, with the highest scores achieved for Remote Branch Office and WLAN-Only Refresh/New Build Use Cases.

powered Aruba ESP (Edge Services Platform) architecture, which includes:

• Aruba Central, our industryleading cloud-native solution for unified wired, wireless, and SD-WAN management

• An extensive portfolio of Wi-Fi 6 and 6E Certified APs and intelligent switches for data center, campus, branch, and remote work environments

Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company announced that yet again, HPE (Aruba) has been positioned in the Leaders Quadrant in

For customers looking to accelerate digital transformation projects, replace older infrastructure and enhance their network security posture, Aruba was evaluated and recognized as a Magic Quadrant Leader for both the Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision. We believe this recognition demonstrates the strength of the AI-

“We’re honored to be recognized by Gartner as a Leader for the 17th time in enterprise wired and wireless LAN infrastructure and are thrilled with the results of the Critical Capabilities report,” said David Hughes, chief product and technology officer for Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company.

RIVERBED ALLUVIO IQ UNIFIED OBSERVABILITY DELIVERS MORE IT INSIGHTS AND SECURITY COMPLIANCE

Riverbed, the leader in unified observability, today announced new updates to Alluvio IQ, its cloud-native, SaaS-delivered Unified Observability service that empowers IT with actionable insights to remediate problems faster and improve the digital experience. The latest capabilities expand Alluvio IQ’s reach of machine learning and automated investigations to include end user experience telemetry from Alluvio Aternity Digital Experience Management to solve issues in remote and SASE environments as well as integrate with thirdparty tools. Alluvio IQ enables IT organizations to “shift left,” enabling all staff to do the job of more experienced IT experts, freeing-up senior IT staff to focus

on strategic business initiatives.

“IT teams are struggling with the complexity of today’s environments. Siloed tools designed for a single domain

have created blind spots in new environments such as remote work and SASE. IT teams often need to look at different perspectives, from flow, packets, infrastructure, and end user experience to fully understand a problem and its impact,” said Richard Tworek, Chief Technology Officer, Alluvio, at Riverbed. “The latest release of Alluvio IQ now includes the end user experience perspective powered by Alluvio Aternity to help diagnose issues in remote work and SASE/SSE environments. “Alluvio IQ is helping my team realize a selfhealing network. Alluvio IQ is a game changer in monitoring and unified observability,” said Earl Foster, Manager Network Services, American Airlines.

David Hughes Chief Product and Technology Officer for Aruba

Richard Tworek Chief Technology Officer, Alluvio, Riverbed

CREATIVE. CONNECTED. CONSCIOUS.

THE MEASA REGION’S LEADING EVENT FOR CONTENT CREATION, BROADCAST, PRODUCTION, AND SATELLITE INDUSTRIES

Tap into new business potential as thousands of key buyers, thought leaders and decision makers from over 120 countries come together to design, shape and co-create the future.

Discuss and dive into trends, challenges, innovations and opportunities.

Explore, meet and exchange experiences with a diverse range stakeholders including industry executives, integrators, engineers, solutions providers and more.

A focus on sustainable practices across the content creation and delivery ecosystem with special conference content and workshops.

Organised by

TEXUB ANNOUNCES THE FUTURE OF 3C TRADE AT AMBIENTE 2023

communication (mobility) products. Launched at Ambiente 2023, in Frankfurt, Germany, the brand’s new focus will be on 3C trade –computers, consumer electronics, and communication products.

Axel Holst Managing Director, TEXUB - Europe

TEXUB has expanded its product offerings with the addition of consumer electronics and

Fueled by a broad range of cutting-edge technology, from devices such as mobile phones and computers, to the infrastructure and connectivity that supports them, Europe is a high-impact region regarding digital transformation, and one of the most promising markets for emerging technologies. As a result, third-party marketplaces, such as TEXUB, have a significant opportunity to contribute to the deployment of ICT, CE and mobility products within Europe. “Ambiente 2023 was an important platform

for the launch of our new product line – consumer electronics and communication products – as it helped us showcase TEXUB as a true IT, consumer electronics and mobility marketplace globally,” said Axel Holst, Managing Director, TEXUB - Europe. “Our participation in this mega exhibition also gave us the chance to highlight our training program – DigiNOMICS, and demonstrate firsthand to international buyers and sellers how easy it is to onboard their products and transact on the portal.”

“Ambiente not only elevated TEXUB’s visibility in Europe but allowed us to amplify our message to a wider audience in the region and further beyond, while building connections with leading industry players,” concluded Holst.

TRELLIX LAUNCHES XTEND GLOBAL CHANNEL PARTNER PROGRAM

Trellix, announced the launch of its Trellix Xtend Global Channel Partner Program. Xtend was developed to increase profitability, engagement, and growth for partners through widespread adoption of the Trellix XDR platform. With Trellix’s large, established installed base, Xtend partners can up-sell and cross-sell Trellix solutions — including Endpoint, Security Operations (SecOps), Network Detection & Response (NDR), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Email Security, Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services, and more within existing accounts.

“Partners are at the forefront of our global sales strategy,” said Britt Norwood, SVP of Global Channels and Commercial at Trellix. “To be effective, our new partner program had to be built from the ground up with their

needs in mind. We spent a great deal of time listening to partners, reviewing industry best practices, and developing the right approach to enable partners

to increase profitability, better support their customers, and lead in the XDR market.”

“The launch of the Trellix Xtend program comes at a crucial time for organizations, as an evolving security landscape continues to give rise to new threats to their data, finances and reputations. Our partner-led approach is focused on anticipating the needs of our channel ecosystem, and we’re committed to providing EMEA channel partners with the right elements to drive growth and build their own customised services,” added Luca Brandi, EMEA Channel Sales Director at Trellix. “By bringing the best of our expertise and solutions into one place, our program aims to equip our partners with the resources and capabilities to become trusted, valuable advisors to their customers through our XDR platform.

Britt Norwood SVP of Global Channels and Commercial, Trellix

SANS INSTITUTE TO ENHANCE REGIONAL SECURITY AWARENESS WITH SANS DUBAI FEBRUARY 2023

from February 27 to March 4, 2023. The training event will focus on threat detection and elimination, strengthening security architecture and managing a security operations center (SOC), while tailoring defence practices to specific organizational needs.

students will have a holistic understanding of the current attack landscape and enable them to evade and eliminate sophisticated threats as soon as they complete the course.”

SANS Institute, the global leader in cybersecurity training and certifications, has announced SANS Dubai February 2023 to be held in-person at the Ritz Carlton, Dubai,

“Modern business is so driven by IT that cyber risk has evolved into business risk. To remain resilient, we believe that knowledge about the adversary is core learning for all security teams. SANS Dubai February is specifically designed around the roles, responsibilities, and disciplines that are common within these security teams,” says Ned Baltagi, Managing Director, Middle East, and Africa at SANS Institute. “With hands-on experience in threat-monitoring from leading industry experts,

The training program consists of three main modules offered through both in-person training and simultaneous live online sessions. Course modules will be led by Kevin Ripa for FOR578: Cyber Threat Intelligence; Maxim Deweerdt for SEC511: Continuous Monitoring and Security Operations; and John Hubbard for MGT551: Building and Leading Security Operation Centres. Sessions will run from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM GST, including breaks. Students also could attend SANS Community Nights, where they can engage and network with the local InfoSec community in Dubai.

MOZN ANNOUNCES A NEW AI-POWERED ANTI-FRAUD PRODUCT, TO BOLSTER RISK MANAGEMENT AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

Mozn, a market leader in enterprise artificialintelligence technologies, announced an advanced AI-powered Anti-Fraud product capable of proactively identifying suspicious patterns and preventing criminals from targeting organisations and their clients to profit from financial crime.

Released as an additional product suite to the company’s innovative Anti-Money-Laundering (AML) platform, FOCAL, Anti-Fraud product was announced at Saudi Arabia’s LEAP 2023 tech conference at Riyadh Front Expo Centre. In the spirit of LEAP – which gathers tech innovators and leading experts from around the world to discover new ideas and build new partnerships – FOCAL Anti-Fraud leverages powerful AI to address the increasing volume and complexity of fraud in emerging markets.

“Banks, fintech providers, insurance companies and brokers, and indeed any industry that finds itself in the crosshairs of fraudsters will welcome the announcement of FOCAL Anti-Fraud,” said Dr. Mohammed Alhussein, Founder and CEO of Mozn. “At Mozn, we not only address the challenges of today; we look out for what is ahead to ensure that the hurdles of this year and the next are no

barrier to economic innovators both inside the kingdom and across the region. FOCAL Anti-Fraud penalises fraudsters, not consumers, and delivers rapid timeto-value by empowering better decisions. Mozn will continue to fight financial fraudsters with our stateof-the-art AI-powered products and solutions so that businesses can improve their risk management and enhance protection for themselves and their customers.”

Ned Baltagi MD, MEA at SANS Institute

LEAP23 ANNOUNCES INVESTMENTS OF $580 MILLION AS SAUDI ARABIA ACCELERATES DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

LEAP23, the world’s most visionary technology event, announced a series of new investment and funding programmes designed to accelerate the Kingdom’s digital transformation in multiple fields.

The announcements, which equate to US$580 million and follow more than US$9 billion of investments revealed earlier this week, include the launch of a major new data centre and two dedicated academies to develop the technical skills of homegrown talent, and provide them with the tools of the future.

Powered by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in conjunction with Tahaluf – a strategic joint venture co-owned by Informa PLC and SAFCSP – LEAP23 boasts an exhibitor and convention line-up of transformational talent, a product showcase of advanced and generative technology potential, and a celebrity cast of billionaire entrepreneurs, business magnates, sporting heroes, and musical icons turned futurists and financiers.

On-show business across the show floor at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre has been unprecedented, with the latest announcements underlining the role of LEAP23 in realising the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives.

One of the most prominent announcements was revealed by Ignite – a programme under Saudi’s Digital Content Council - which launched several initiatives, a package of financing programmes, and pioneering private sector partnerships amounting to US$170 million.

Elsewhere, technology consulting services company Wipro announced investments of US$110 million to expand its cloud studio service, develop digital healthcare solutions, and support the development of local talent.

Unity, the global games development platform, also announced the establishment of its first regional

academy and a centre for developing electronic games - in partnership with the MCIT - to create and foster technical talents.

Zoho, a leading IT, software development, and cloud computing company, outlined plans to expand its presence in the Kingdom with new office openings and the establishment of a cloud area for its services. Zoho also confirmed an allocation of US$300 million over the next 10 years as a portfolio balance to support Saudi startups aiding the country’s digital transformation.

Having entered the data centre arena in 2021, DAMAC Group announced the expansion of investments in large data centres in the Kingdom with a total capacity of more than 55 megawatts.

Finally, Amazon announced the establishment of its first regional academy to develop and train more than 30,000 talents. The academy will provide more than 35,000 professional certificates in the fields of cloud computing and artificial intelligence. The academy is part of a national partnership with MCIT that encompasses the Ministry’s Future Skills initiative, affiliated Saudi Digital Academy, Human Capacity Development Programme, and Tuwaiq Academy.

GROWING SCALE OF GEOPOLITICAL CONFLICTS AND CYBERCRIME WILL IMPACT IT/OT SYSTEMS OF MANY INDUSTRIAL SECTORS

By: Anton Shipulin, Industrial Cybersecurity Evangelist, Nozomi Networks

What technologies will be the most popular in the IT/ TECH Industry in 2023?

From cybersecurity in general and industrial sectors standpoint, where we are experts, these are some technology trends I see in 2023. The growing scale of geopolitical conflicts and cybercrime will impact IT/OT systems of many industrial sectors, especially energy, oil and gas, military, and airspace. In turn, organizations in the sectors build more effective cybersecurity approaches and demand more advanced cybersecurity technologies.

That includes more deep, timely and intelligent security monitoring of office, data center and process control network malicious and anomaly activities and host activities, including detailed information about assets, hardware, software, their components, and vulnerabilities. This is where processes and technologies of Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) will be evolving by governments, manufacturers, and asset owners, but in

2023 the SBOM maturity will still be low.

The critical situation with cyberattacks will make incident response processes to get faster and more effective, to get more automated and integrating detection, analysis, and response processes, this is where Extended Detection and Response (EXR) technologies will be evolving. Incorporating machine learning and AI, and based on adversary Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) knowledge from MITER ATT&CK framework for Enterprise and ICS.

But at the same time, we will see more IT/OT integration and boundaries fading away, despite inherent risks of it. This will be in the form of industrial controllers’ virtualization, containerization, and cloud adoption.

As a final trend, I see that in 2023 cybersecurity will be integrated more into business risk management strategy of many companies and will be one of the main responsibilities of the C-suite.

INGRAM MICRO Emphasizes the Challenges in the SME Sector and the Path Forward

Ingram Micro assists companies in maximizing the value of the technology they create, sell, or utilize, enabling them to further grasp the potential of technology. The Integrator had the chance to have an exclusive conversation with Dr. Ali Baghdadi, SVP & Chief Country Executive, META, Ingram Micro.

Tell us about the cyber security solutions that Ingram Micro offers and distributes, and how prepared is the Middle Eastern market in terms of cybersecurity adaptation and awareness.

As we all know, one of the biggest challenges in cybersecurity is the need for comprehensive solutions. Previously, a product could have been an antivirus or something similar, but today, we must look for complete solutions to protect cyberspace. At Ingram Micro, we have a full range that comes not only from the leading vendors but also from emerging vendors – which we refer to as the EVG (Emerging Vendor Group) – offering unique, modern, and advanced solutions.

In addition to distributing or supplying those products, we offer several complementary services to support our solutions.

As part of Ingram Micro’s global strategy, we established what we call ‘’centers of excellence.’’ So far, we have six centers of excellence worldwide. One of these centers is in Dubai, while others are in the Netherlands, Belgrade, Mexico, California, Singapore, and India, and they function as MSSPs (Managed

Security Service Providers). Their services include penetration testing, assessments, and consulting. They are vendor-agnostic.

Additionally, we have developed tools that are available for free to our partners. Using our tools, consumers can determine the solution that best suits their needs. One is a NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) questionnaire, and the other is a Basic Vulnerability and Exposure questionnaire. The purpose of these tools is to help the customer understand what their needs are likely to be so that a solution can be provided accordingly.

What recommendations do you have for SMEs in 2023 and beyond?

Specifically, what aspects should they be paying attention to or adopting?

To protect businesses, it is critical to understand how criminals, hackers, and organizations attack them. Educating your employees is always a wise idea. In my opinion, this is the most vital piece of basic knowledge that will save you from trouble. Many fundamentals must be adhered to, including choosing the correct password and not clicking on a

suspicious link, which could likely be a phishing email.

So, never stop updating your software and never sleep on it. Regularly updating your device’s operating systems when notified to do so will help patch security gaps and keep you safe from cyber threats to a substantial extent. Employing multi-factor authentication (MFA) is another highly effective security control to protect an organization’s valuable data. Rather than just asking for a password, MFA entails using two or more independent credentials to achieve authentication.

Our overall view is that SMEs are reasonably approaching the subject of cybersecurity with seriousness and adapting to changes. SME companies are aware of the cybersecurity threats and are working in their capacity to deal with them. In addition, Ingram Micro is working on educational material all the time. We have training centers, and we market their worth.

What are the most recent market trends in cloud-based security technology?

We see SaaS and other software as a

service being used to deploy security products. So, this could be why companies prefer to pay a monthly subscription fee rather than a lump sum upfront. However, the actual product is in the hands of the vendor, where it is being upgraded and updated, so the company need not worry about managing its own installed software. Some cloud vendors do these activities for their consumption, but as your company grows, they will need to know how many IP addresses or assets you now have and charge you accordingly. We at Ingram Micro invested in our own cloud platform about eight years ago. Since then, we have invested in acquiring software companies, and have been able to enhance our platform’s functionality using our CloudBlue platform technology. CloudBlue helps aggregate and provision software and security vendors.

Could you share more insights on the launch of “Ingram Micro Xvantage” in Europe & North America? What are the benefits the MEA region should expect from it?

Ingram Micro Xvantage is a fully digital and intelligent, self-learning global experience platform—much like those we use daily to hire a driver, order groceries or find a place to stay. The platform is used by Ingram Micro’s associates, solution providers and vendor partners—each having their own unique view—to connect, collaborate, learn and manage Ingram Micro’s entire business of products, services, software, cloud and business solutions in one “single pane of glass.” The Xvantage digital experience platform is powered by a global real time data mesh containing many years of operating and transactions data, as well as by several proprietary engines which are enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

Is Ingram Micro adopting application software like e-commerce, logistics, and supply chain to follow the sales engagement process with this partner network?

Ingram Micro has its online e-commerce platform, known as IM360, as well as warehouse

management software, known as IWM, or Ingram Micro Warehouse Management. We also have many clever software modules that are part of Xvantage. These modules are visible and accessible to the outside world via Xvantage. In addition to e-commerce, we also offer business intelligence tools that are artificially

INGRAM MICRO

Dr. Ali Baghdadi SVP & Chief Country Executive, META, Ingram Micro

intelligent to help determine what our partners require based on past interactions. Considering what they might like to buy and whom they are working with, we can recommend the most appropriate solutions. There are hundreds of advanced tools included in Xvantage, so you don’t have to deal with each tool separately. Our goal is to make it easier for our partners to deal with this by providing more value.

most important stocks. We place orders in advance to ensure we will be able to accommodate the demand from these regions. Furthermore, we hold stocks on behalf of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, and Morocco at our Dubai warehouse.

How

is Ingram Micro tackling the delays in hardware due to global supply chain issues?

As with everyone else, the supply chain of components has affected the hardware supply. We are working closely with vendors who have been impacted. It is encouraging to see that the situation is improving. We have been collaborating with our vendors to better understand what is being supplied and then advising them on what the market requires. As part of our inventory management system, we have a large central warehouse facility called IMPE (Ingram Micro Pan Europe Warehouse) that acts as a buffer to store inventory and serves the entire EMEA region (Europe, the Middle East, & Africa). It is there that we keep the

We also helped educate our partners on how to transition from hardware to software solutions. As a result, we were able to replace many hardware products with software solutions, thus allowing us to expand our cloud and software solutions business.

Is there a message you would like to convey to our audiences pertaining to your overall engagement, SMEs, partner network, or security-based mapping?

We have a tremendous opportunity in the security sector. First, you must educate and specialize in the right skills; the fundamentals are important, and then you can become a specialist. This is one of the fastest-growing sectors. Every company must deploy skilled people in these areas; there is an opportunity here. Leveraging the support we offer at Ingram Micro, you can obtain fundamental training and a better understanding of the solutions out there.

"Educating your employees is always a wise idea. In my opinion, this is the most vital piece of basic knowledge that will save you from trouble."

Dr.

Ali Baghdadi SVP & Chief Country Executive, META, Ingram Micro

AXIS EXHIBITS INDUSTRY-LEADING TECHNOLOGY AT INTERSEC 2023

Axis Communications is a global leader in the security and surveillance industry, they manufacture network cameras for the physical security and video surveillance industries. Its product line comprises network cameras, video encoders, network audio systems, video management software, and related accessories. The Integrator engages with Andrea Sorri, Segment Development Manager Smart Cities EMEA at Intersec 2023

Discuss the latest Axis communication products for the enterprise-centric market. We now have new cameras with improved image quality and increased edge capabilities for running analytics as a feature of the camera itself. These cameras deliver high-quality video surveillance and powerful deep learning-based analytics that run on the edge.

What solutions are you covering and showcasing at Intersec 2023?

Camera technology continues to advance regarding image quality and integration possibilities, so we are expanding our portfolio. We offer smart city solutions, products with effective cybersecurity features, and network audio solutions. And we are presenting our sustainability strategies addressing common challenges.

At Intersec 2023, we unveiled three new products:

• AXIS P1468-XLE – The world’s

first explosion-protected camera designed for Zone/Division 2 hazardous locations. This sturdy, fixed bullet camera offers an optimal solution for the relatively larger Zone/Division 2 areas of a hazardous location.

• AXIS Q1961-TE – Dependable remote temperature monitoring camera. This halogen-free camera is ideal for addressing operational efficiency, as it allows users to monitor temperatures remotely and access smart filtering functionality that reduces false alarms.

• AXIS A1610 and AXIS A1610-B – Scalable, customisable network door controllers. Plenum-rated AXIS A1610 Network Door Controller and its support model, the edgebased UL-recognised AXIS A1610-B Network Door Controller, have been optimised for small and large installations and are fully integrated within Axis end-to-end systems and supported by Axis partner solutions. Each device can store up to 250,000

credentials and 250,000 event logs to accommodate users’ evolving needs.

Discuss the focus and relationships Axis communication has with large enterprises in the middle east. The enterprise business necessitates integrated solutions. We are concentrating on developing the simplest component that can assist consumers in integrating existing installations with new installations. That is also the focus of our SMEs.

Discuss your network cameras' reach and demand.

The main focus of our technologies is to do more with less, which means our cameras will now offer more purposes and scopes. Traditionally, the cameras could only be used for public safety. We can now provide the same device for various other applications or cases, such as mobility, environmental monitoring, operational efficiencies, etc.

Andrea Sorri Segment Development Manager Smart Cities EMEA, Axis Communications

TP-LINK ELABORATES ON OMADA PRO, VIGI WITH EXPANSION IN DIGITAL SURVEILLANCE AND ENTERPRISE NETWORKING

TP-Link is a global provider of networking products. The company offers a range of networking devices. With a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, TP-Link has established itself as a leader in the industry. The company has a strong presence in both the consumer and enterprise markets. Naseer Karim, pre-sales manager at TPLink, recently sat down for an exclusive interview at Intersec to discuss about the TP-Link Portfolio.

Elaborate on your product VIGI and share how is the company approaching the international market for digital surveillance products?

VIGI is a product designed for IP digital surveillance, as the industry moves towards IP. We are testing a limited product line to determine which products to bring to the market and are working aggressively to secure certification. In terms of solutions, we offer a range of verticals, cameras, lens types, and management products. TP-Link's unique solution sets us apart from competitors and we have a VMS product line on the way to the international market. Consumer networking is our main revenue contributor, but we see a shift towards digital surveillance,

enterprise networking, and consumer electronics (Tapo). We see a bright future for all of these products.

What are TP-Link's plans for 2023 TP-Link plans to work with system integrators to sell more cameras for residential or commercial building projects. The company will spend more time training and educating system integrators and channel partners about their products. The company will continue all its training activities and structure for system integrators and channel partners.

What type of partnerships does TP-Link has and how these relationships useful in the future? We are providing a lot of ideas to

the market and motivation. We recently introduced a new programs in Georgia, which are meant to motivate partners. If they achieve the set target goal, they can spend time in Georgia (sponsored by TPLink). We are also getting feedback from partners and customers if a device is not fulfilling their requirement, we collect positive feedback then evaluate and bring to the R&D team for modifications. This helps us grow all our product lines.

How was your experience at Intersec?

This was our first time participating at Intersec, and we did not expect such a high return, but we are very happy to see the large crowds and meet valuable people. This is a great platform for us to grow.

Naseer Karim Pre-sales Manager at TP-Link

CHAPGPT IS THE NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR MOMENT FOR THE AI ERA

How has AI revolutionized the world, and what are some potential benefits and drawbacks of the same? AI has not revolutionized the world yet, but the potential is very high. The reason is that AI techniques allow for a few things that were not that easily possible with prior computing. These include the application of probability reasoning, learning, and improving, and now generating digital artifacts. These vastly expand the scope of computers into many other aspects of business and society, across all areas. Further, we might be able to solve problems and create things that were not possible before. But, of course, while the promise is vast, the reality is that these benefits will not come to fruition easily till the technology develops and can be applied for success. Such a powerful set of technologies will also be applied for nefarious purposes at a vast scale for fraud and other crimes, by individuals and sophisticated groups. As we use AI more, we must be careful about this and other such issues as biases in decision-making that AI can bring, if not managed appropriately.

What distinguishes ChatGPT from earlier advancements in conversational AI, and why is it causing such a stir?

Earlier conversational AI elements were much simpler in scope in what they can do in terms of what they can do and mostly in fixed domains. Or they can find answers from digital knowledge repositories or the internet. ChatGPT can generate responses using specific AI techniques at a much more sophisticated level across a wide array of topics. This ability, akin to ‘creation’, makes it much more powerful. There is a sense of wonder at what it creates with very little prompting from us. ChatGPT does have issues though – it generates content, but not all responses are correct. While it gives a sense of sophistication, it is not at a stage where enterprises can automatically assume what it does is correct. Further, it is not trained with the most current information and that can lead to errors.

Discuss ChatGPT's complexity, issues, and prospects for success in the near future. This ability to generate responses is a sophisticated and powerful aspect of generative AI. But the aspect of accuracy is an important one to be handled for serious use. In my view, ChapGPT is the Netscape navigator moment for the AI era – where a powerful easy to interface shows the potential of the technology.

It is not the final one, but an early precursor to a new world of opportunity and risk. While ChatGPT shows potential, it is not the only form. We will see many more over time and further innovations built on them. Generative AI also has wondrous applications in drug discovery, material science, and many other areas where creativity, innovation, and synthesis can lead to powerful discoveries or creations.

The integrator had an exclusive interview with Rajesh Kandaswamy, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner

Rajesh Kandaswamy Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner

"THIS ABILITY TO GENERATE RESPONSES IS A SOPHISTICATED AND POWERFUL ASPECT OF GENERATIVE AI."

AT MILESTONE, WE STRIVE TO BE INVOLVED IN EVERY STEP AND PRODUCT THAT MAKES UP THE COMPLETE SOLUTION

At Intersec 2023, The Integrator got the opportunity to talk with Jos Beernink, Vice President of EMEA at Milestone Systems. This was a valuable chance for The Integrator to contact a prominent figure in the company and get to know some of the insights of the company.

down silos of legacy software using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. This focus will allow us to unite all systems into a single open platform, providing end-users with an integrated solution that offers endless possibilities. By leveraging the latest advancements in AI and machine learning, we aim to make our platform even more efficient, user-friendly, and capable of providing actionable insights and predictions.

Talk about Milestone, its partner strategy, and what are your plans for the year 2023.

Milestone is a standalone company in the Canon Group and we specialize in making video technology that connects cameras to recorders for operators to monitor. Milestone’s business has evolved into data-driven video management software that combines video data with other data sources to create an intelligent system.

Our company has established partnerships with two key groups. The first is technology partners, which include prominent manufacturers of cameras and access control systems. These partners work closely with our company to provide cutting-edge technology solutions for end-users. The second is indirect partners, value-added resellers and integrators operating within the market. These partners are essential in distributing our products and services to end-users.

Our strategy for 2023 is focused on making our platform even smarter and more efficient and break

Discuss the products and the services of Milestone. At our company, we strive to be involved in every step and product that makes up the complete solution. This sets us apart from others as we refer to ourselves as an open platform. This means that we connect to a wide range of suppliers and offer a seamless integration process for our clients. This offers a significant advantage for our clients because it ensures smooth integrations and provides them with a choice of the bestof-breed devices. If a customer already uses a specific device or wants to include a particular device as part of their platform, this is only possible with our software. Unlike other manufacturers who only allow integration with their own solutions, our platform is open for integration with a wide range of software. However, it is essential to note that our platform is not open source, meaning others cannot program on it. Instead, our platform is available for integration, and everyone can seamlessly integrate.

Regarding cybersecurity and software security, maintaining the highest possible standards is of utmost importance, and this can be a significant challenge, especially when considering open-source software.

How was the response for Milestone at Intersec 2023

We were experiencing a high level of activity at Intersec, and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to connect with both our partners and end users. It is a unique chance for us to showcase our product and highlight its features and capabilities. Our end users come from a wide range of industries, including law enforcement, and we are proud to have such fantastic customers. Additionally, we were surrounded by technology partners that complement and integrate with our product, adding further value.

Jos Beernink Vice President of EMEA, Milestone Systems

MOBILE ACCESS CONTROL IS BECOMING IMPORTANT IN THE CURRENT HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT

HID is a U.S. manufacturer of secure identity products. The Integrator had an opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Gustavo Gassmann - Vice President & Head of Emerging Markets

What are the major trends in PACS right now?

The largest impact of trends today is related to identities and the digital transformation of mobile technology. People are using their mobile devices for various activities such as building entry and using credentials. This results in a large transfer of information regarding mobile technology. HID has been talking about mobile access since 2014 and, at the time, it was seen as the future, now it is a rapidly growing trend. In commercial real estate, we are closely aligned with the concept of smart buildings and the integration of mobile technology and solutions into the environment. This is a promising market for us, particularly in the Middle East.

In the past, the focus in commercial real estate was mainly on controlling access through main doors, but today it has evolved to include a wider range of solutions. A significant portion of commercial real estate has some form of automation for almost every door in the building. Although HID may not always be the provider of all the automation, everything can be interconnected, including security. Commercial real estate is a crucial market for us and one of the largest verticals, particularly in the Middle East, where we have a long-standing presence.

Talk about the presence of HID in MEA region?

We have our regional head office

based in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. We’ve experienced rapid growth over the years and have continuously adding new team members to help support customers in the emerging markets that our organization serves. Due to high growth in countries such as India and Brazil, we have established centers of excellence in different regions. Our office in Dubai provides support in areas such as sales, technical support, and customer service. Although we do not have production or warehousing in Dubai, all services are still provided to customers through our channels and distributors. About five years ago, we shifted our approach by investing in and engaging directly with end-users, while still utilizing

our channels and distributors to add value. Our aim is to understand their needs and gather valuable feedback, which will help us better develop customised solutions and provide better service. Additionally, we have a dedicated team of experts who focus on serving our main global accounts in the region.

Discuss the importance of Access Control in the current environment?

Access control is becoming increasingly important in the current hybrid work environment. With more people working from home, access control solutions are being adapted to accommodate remote work. This has resulted in a significant increase in the relevance and potential of mobile access control in both large and small offices, and some homes as well. Mobile access is the use of a mobile device (e.g., smartphone, tablet or wearable) to gain access to secured doors, gates, networks, services and more., making physical security more convenient and relevant. The growth of smart buildings, where readers equipped with Bluetooth® and Near Field Communication technologies are integrated into every door, has further increased the importance of mobile access control in the industry. The fast-growing industry presents an opportunity for everyone to take a share of the market. Overall, mobile access control is becoming a crucial aspect of every organization as hybrid work becomes the new culture.

Gustavo Gassmann Vice President & Head of Emerging Markets, HID

A CLEAR CONCISE CHANNEL PARTNERSHIP STRATEGY RESULTS IN ACCELERATED GROWTH

Omnix International is leading provider of solutions in digital infrastructure, digital transformation, computer-aided engineering, cybersecurity, cloud computing and managed services, with over 30 years of experience and a proven track record of across the globe. The Integrator got an opportunity to to have an exclusive interview with

Simran Bagga, Vice President,

Omnix

Engineering and Foundational Technologies

that provides specialised consulting services to help clients bring products or technology to market. The specialization of engineering services will range depending on the project scope. Since the inception of the team, the impetus has been on the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry.

Your strategies for channel partnership?

A clear concise channel partnership strategy results in accelerated growth, higher brand awareness, increased revenue and expanded geographic coverage. Over the years we’ve found that setting the right expectations and creating a win-win environment are some of the key elements of a successful channel partnership.

What are the Engineering services that you provide with respect to the market demands?

Omnix is a specialist provider of engineering drafting and design services - this is where the design is detailed in 2D drawings and diagrams before being turned into a 3D model using computer-assisted design (CAD) software. We also provide construction management services, as well as integrated engineering services and specialised engineering consulting to offer unique solutions for diverse projects. We work with a variety of organisations across multiple industries.

One of our other major focuses is to develop and manage a project-based business that provides specialised consulting, which enables clients to bring products or technology to market. In addition, we work with a variety of organisations across industries to help negotiate and evaluate business contracts with both vendors and manufacturers.

One of the core focus areas for the Omnix Engineering and Foundation Technologies’ team is to develop and manage a project-based business

We begin by first conducting thorough research into new partners, so we can assess mutual goals and objectives, and we move forward with a partnership if our purposes are aligned. Setting KPIs and outlining commitment is critical at the outset as, in a partnership, each side has their own vested interests. Good partnerships are those that are transparent and built on the understanding - and reality - that the success of one partner contributes to the success of the other.

Channel partners can be a source of valuable frontline product feedback, so continuous dialogue and communication are an absolute must with product managers and engineers. Partner enablement is absolutely critical as ‘if you don’t put it in, you don’t get it out’ applies in partnerships.

We also empower our channel partners in three key areas: technical training, building industry expertise, and sales training. Timely and relevant industry information that is shared with partners consistently can ensure they stay ahead of the competition. As a company, we are committed to keeping on top of the latest technological trends, opportunities and challenges in different industries, so we can educate our partners to keep them competitive and ahead of the game.

By maintaining a relentless focus on profitability, returns on capital employed (ROCE), and return on investment (ROI), we win the trust and confidence of our channel ecosystem, which contributes to our own business success.

Simran Bagga Vice President, Omnix Engineering and Foundational Technologies

SEAGATE SHOWCASES THE LATEST DATA STORAGE SOLUTIONS AT INTERSEC 2023

Seagate Technology manufactures and sells hard disk drives for enterprise applications; client compute applications, client non-compute applications, personal data backup systems, portable external storage systems, and digital media systems. The Integrator meets with Jermaine Campbell, senior sales manager at Seagate, at Intersec to discuss their latest solutions and better understand the needs of the upcoming data revolution.

Discuss the scope of Seagate's products, such as SSDs, NAS, and Skyhawk hard drives.

Seagate is a data company. Everything we do is datafocused. Data requires either mass storage or highperformance computing. Whether it be high-capacity NAS applications or high performance, we have SSD, Nytro for super high performance, and enterprise applications. Even more interesting in this setting, is for surveillance. We have a separate brand of surveillance drives named Skyhawk and Skyhawk AI, featuring specially designed firmware compatible with AI and video application software and offering unique services to support the surveillance market ,. We look at the market in separate vertical applications and then customize our products to get the best performance in that particular vertical application.

How is this product line performing in the market?

Seagate has been the market leader in many of the verticals in which we operate for a while, so the response is positive. People rate us on the quality of the products rather than just specifications which is why we are a trustworthy brand.

What are your channel strategies and your plans for 2023?

We have the Seagate Partner Program (SPP). This partner program is divided into several verticals. Our partners, buyers, or surveillance partners can check the boxes indicating which vertical they operate in. Then we classify and tailor our partner program to provide them with the appropriate information, training, and rewards based on the partner vertical they operate. So, whether it's products or partners, we ensure everything is in order so that we speak the correct language and provide the right benefits.

So, this has made it easier for the partners to collaborate.

Absolutely. Our primary focus at Intersec is to meet all our partners. And we do say to our partners that you've traveled this far to meet us. Therefore, the next step is to come and sign up for our partner programs so that you can stay in touch with Seagate and understand the road

map information, request evaluation products, and learn what makes Seagate's unique selling points.

So, how was your experience at Intersec 2023?

We're delighted to be here. We demonstrated, just from the visual aspect of the booth, that we are a forwardthinking company. We are at the cutting edge of technology. We're bringing new technologies with us. Our booth appears futuristic. So, everything we are is trying to come through this stand. That's the most important aspect of our presence here.

When we first arrived last year, there was a lot of emphasis by many on being our partner. And many needed to familiarize themselves with the specifics of our branding at that time. Because we had been following up with the partners, they are now coming with open arms. They have got to know Seagate very well. By now they have shaken our hands very well and have established a great relationship with us.

Jermaine Campbell Senior Sales Manager, Seagate

HIKVISION SEEKS TO PROVIDE A COMPLETE SOLUTION TO IT`S CUSTOMERS

with Integration of Technologies and Application scenarios

Hikvision is an AIoT solution provider with video at its core competency. Robert Wang, the Vertical Business Director of Hikvision, was recently interviewed exclusively by The Integrator at Intersec 2023.

What are the products and the services that Hikvision offers and what did you display at Intersec 2023?

In 2023, at Intersec Hikvision displayed its latest commercial display with a resolution surpassing even 4K. Visitors at the booth could witness the exceptional color and performance, as well as the innovative 3D naked Eye LED technology. Our major focus is on video security solutions, but we also offer a full range of offerings for management of vehicle entrance and exit, people access control, employee time and attendance which, provide comprehensive building solutions. We work with multiple partners such as system integrators and technology partners to provide a complete solution to end users. Our target markets include the logistics, smart traffic, enterprise, energy, education, hospitality, and retail industries.

Talk about the presence of Hikvision in the market?

In the Middle Eastern region, we have a strong presence in countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE and have worked on several successful projects

with prominent customers. In 2022, we collaborated with Americana Group, the largest retail group in the region, to provide business intelligence and AI features that improved efficiency and increased sales for the retail sector. Additionally, we worked on a project at KNO School in Oman, where we provided a smart campus solution for the school to ensure a safe and secure environment for students. Our solution included interactive screens, transforming traditional blackboard classrooms into modern digital ones, allowing for easier interaction between teachers and students. The classroom is equipped with several features. The most notable one is the interactive screen that allows for seamless interaction with all activities. The teacher can prepare and upload their teaching materials to the screen, which is fully synchronized. The class schedule is pre-arranged, and there's a class panel in front of each classroom that can be controlled from the booth. Currently, the classroom is set up for a chemistry and mathematics class.

What are the new products and the services that you showcased at Intersec 2023?

Intersec is not just about showcasing products this year. Our focus is on the combination of technology and application to provide a complete solution to our customers. We also have high-definition commercial displays with AI features for retail analysis and industrial cameras designed for the energy sector. Our goal is to integrate these products and provide vertical solutions by combining technology, applications, and user experience. Our product line is extensive, but we understand that working alone is not enough. We collaborate with third-party partners and integrate with the security industry. Our approach is to provide a universal platform that can be used across all verticals and work with partners to design specific, tailored solutions based on their field knowledge and experience. This allows us to create detailed solutions for retail, hotels, hospitals, etc.

Robert Wang

Vertical Business Director, Hikvision

SAFEGUARD YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE: A CYBERSECURITY GUIDE

By Satish Sabnis Regional Manager, Sales – Cybersecurity, Catalyst Business Solutions

In today's digital age, digital transformation rapidly shapes how we live and work. The increasing adoption of technology and digital devices has revolutionized businesses' operations, allowing for greater efficiency and productivity. However, this increased reliance on technology has also resulted in a corresponding increase in the threat of cyber-attacks. As organizations embrace digital transformation, prioritizing cybersecurity is crucial to protect sensitive information and maintain the integrity of their systems. Implementing comprehensive cybersecurity measures is a vital component of any digital transformation strategy, allowing organizations to fully realize the benefits of technology while minimizing the risk of cyberattacks. In short, securing your cybersecurity posture is not just an IT issue; it is a business imperative in the digital transformation era.

The global cybersecurity market has witnessed substantial growth in recent years, driven by the need for solutions to protect against various cyberattacks, with ransomware being the primary type. This growth is expected to continue as the threat of cyberattacks escalates. The consequences of these attacks can range from financial losses to reputational damage, making cybersecurity a critical concern for organizations.

Cybersecurity experts agree that education and proactive measures are essential to secure against cyber-attacks. Atiq Raza, a renowned technology leader, notes, "Cybersecurity is not just a technology problem; it's a business problem." This highlights the importance of taking a comprehensive approach

to cybersecurity that includes technology solutions, education, and proactive measures. Gaurav Banga, CEO of Balbix, adds, "Cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and frequent, making it more important than ever for organizations to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity." This emphasizes the need for organizations to invest in cybersecurity solutions and take proactive measures to secure their posture.

There are several steps organizations can take to secure their cybersecurity posture. One of the essential steps is implementing strong passwords and twofactor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security to the login process. It is also crucial to keep software and systems updated to ensure any vulnerabilities are patched and to educate employees on cybersecurity best practices. Implementing endpoint protection and regularly backing up data can help protect against cyber-attacks and prevent data loss in the event of a breach.

Advances in technology, the increasing reliance on the internet, and the growing sophistication of cyber attackers will shape the future of cybersecurity. As such, it is imperative for organizations to take proactive measures to secure their posture and minimize the risk of cyber-attacks. With the right approach and investment, organizations can secure their cybersecurity posture and protect against the growing threat of cyber-attacks.

It is important for organizations to continuously monitor their cybersecurity posture and

stay updated with the latest developments in the field. This can be achieved through regular risk assessments, penetration testing, and training programs for employees. Additionally, organizations can benefit from engaging with a cybersecurity vendor or consultant to comprehensively evaluate their systems and recommend additional steps to enhance their posture. By staying informed and proactive, organizations can be well-prepared to respond to any potential cyber threats and protect their sensitive information. With the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, it is essential to be proactive and vigilant in safeguarding against cyberattacks.

Satish Sabnis Regional Manager Sales-Cybersecurity Catalyst Business Solutions

FINESSE DEPLOYS RPA AT NESTO/WIG GROUP

Nesto is a multinational company that operates a chain of hypermarkets and supermarkets. Since its establishment in 2004, the company has developed a network of more than 100 retail outlets across the GCC and India. The group attributes its rapid growth to its unwavering focus on providing its customers access to top-quality products from world-renowned brands at competitive prices.

With the advent of digital technologies and e-commerce disruptors, supermarkets and hypermarkets have been forced to reinvent their operating models. Nesto Group has invested heavily in its digital transformation and continues to do so, keeping its customers in mind at all times. They have partnered with Finesse, the leading digital transformation enabler in the GCC to support them on automating key processes within the business, using Robotic Process Automation (RPA).

THE CHALLENGE -

A top customer need for Nesto Group is the ability to access deals and promotions. The Marketing department, manually create Midweek and Weekend Promotions and upload the respective flyers into their inhouse application for 40 + stores which is mundane and repetitive in nature.

This process of creating or updating a promotional activity is a repetitive, cumbersome and error-prone process. An incorrect entry would lead to confusion at the many stores where the promotion was present and also result in customer churn.

THE SOLUTION -

As a use-case for automating this process, Nesto Group and Finesse agreed to use Automation Anywhere’s RPA bot solution. The digital bot, once deployed, would mimic

the human task by creating and uploading the weekday or weekend promotions into the inhouse application on a weekly basis.

THE RESULT -

With the RPA solution provided by Finesse and Automation Anywhere, 100% of the promotion entry process into the inhouse tool has now been automated. The implementation has saved approximately 12 hours of manual effort each week, thus increasing the productivity of the employees involved in this effort by over 80%.

While this RPA implementation has no doubt directly reduced the manual effort for the marketing team at Nesto Group, it has also improved operational efficiencies for the Group, while also providing its customers a better experience, at all times.

Eljo J P, CBO & Director of Finesse said “We are grateful to Nesto Group for trusting us and partnering with us to automate their processes using Automation Anywhere's RPA bots. It has been proven that automation marks the next stage of digital transformation and has generated success for customers. There is an almost limitless number of benefits that customers can derive from RPA. Our team will continue to work closely with Nesto to ensure that the goals of the initiative are met.”

RPA in Nesto/WIG has helped to improve efficiency and reduce costs, by automating repetitive tasks and freeing up employees to focus on more high-value activities. We should always keep in mind that RPA is never a replacement for human workers, but rather it is just a tool that can help to improve efficiency and productivity. It is also important to note that though Robotic Process Automation is not entirely an Artificial Intelligence tool, it can be considered to be a strong workflow-based tool to help automate repetitive tasks.

DATA PROTECTION IN THE CLOUD: 3 BEST PRACTICES

By: Rick Vanover, Senior Director of Product Strategy, Veeam

The “Global DataSphere” is exploding in size. IDC predicts that by 2026, the amount of data in the world will have doubled again. While most enterprises have digitised their operations, they continue to add more strategic workloads and create more data. So, as the amount of data enterprises have to deal with grows exponentially, moving to the cloud based on an elaborated strategy offers significant benefits like scalability, flexibility and cost-effective storage.

Gartner expects total worldwide end-user spending on public cloud services will reach a record $592 billion this year, a 21 per cent increase from 2022. The Cloud security alliance (CSA) reported that 96% of companies say they have insufficient security for sensitive cloud data.

KNOW YOUR DATA

Before you can protect anything, you need to know who’s storing what and where. Is everyone in the business using the same accounts? To make sure this is done right, IT teams often need to play detective or go on a journey of discovery across the business. To find these threads, it is often necessary to look through finances and collect invoices for cloud costs across the organisation.

Automated data classification engines can help you sort through and organise - so you’re not blindly trying to protect everything to the nth degree. Once you know exactly what you have stored on the cloud (and where) only then can you start looking at how this data is secured.

KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

There is a big gap in awareness of the shared responsibility model on which cloud security is built on. This means they assume the provider is responsible for certain security measures when in reality it's their job. The provider is responsible for the security of the infrastructure and the physical facilities that host it. Securing applications, data and access to the environment, however, is the responsibility of the customer.

In practice, this means enterprises need to ensure they have backups of all critical and sensitive data

stored in the cloud in case of breaches or outages. The best practice is to have multiple backups in different locations (e.g. one on-premises as well as a cloud copy) and have copies of data across different mediums, with at least one copy being kept offsite, offline and immutable - even better yet, all three.

The other core security responsibility that lies with the enterprise is controlling access and privileges. If every user of your cloud has access to God Mode, any breach is going to be devastating.

KEEP IT COST-EFFECTIVE

Data needs to be on the right storage platform in the cloud - and this will change during its lifecycle. For example, it might move from block resource to object storage to archive storage. The costs associated with these are variable, so make sure you’re not storing (or backing up) data in inefficient ways.

This is one small part of avoiding eventual “bill shock” for cloud computing and storage costs. Beyond simple data, costs are API costs, data egress (transfer) and more. I always recommend enterprises have an established “cloud economic model” that they follow to prevent costs from piling up and ensure spending matches expectations.

Rick Vanover Senior Director of Product Strategy, Veeam

NOBU HOSPITALITY ANNOUNCES NOBU HOTEL, RESTAURANT AND BRANDED RESIDENCES

ELAF AL TAQWA HOTEL HONOURED WITH PRESTIGIOUS GLOBAL AWARD

Marjan welcomes the celebrated Nobu Hospitality to the Emirate on its flagship Al Marjan Island. This follows the signing with Enevoria Development, who recently acquired a beachfront plot on Al Marjan Island, to build the luxury Nobu hotel and branded residences, and the famous Nobu restaurant.

Enevoria Development will develop a Nobu Hotel and 300 Nobu branded luxury residences that shall provide residents and visitors with unrivalled guest services and bespoke amenities. The large-scale project with a total area of 70,000 square meters will also include a spa and fitness facility, swimming pools, and the exclusive Nobu restaurant featuring contemporary Japanese cuisine providing a unique gastronomic experience.

Abdulla Al Abdouli, CEO of Marjan, said: “With the arrival of Nobu Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah now joins an elite group of cities worldwide to put on display the power of Japanese minimalism, exceptional hospitality, and worldclass dining the brand is renowned for.”

Evgeniy Yakubovskiy, General Manager of Enevoria Development FZ-LLC, said: “As high-end property developers, we are delighted to partner with one of the leading and fastest growing global luxury hospitality brands on Nobu Al Marjan Island. Our collaboration with Nobu Hospitality will be instrumental in creating a signature international property ensuring impeccable lifestyle that is an integral part of our brand philosophy.”

Trevor Horwell, CEO of Nobu Hospitality, commented: “We are thrilled to be continuing our expansion within the UAE and the vision for Al Marjan Island aligns seamlessly with the Nobu brand.

Elaf Al Taqwa Hotel was honoured with Traveller Review Award 2023 by Booking.com, recognising its continuous efforts to deliver exceptional services to guests and raise the standards of hospitality excellence.

The hotel achieved a rating of 9 out of 10, which reflects the level of satisfaction of the guests with the services the hotel provides. The score reinforces the leading position of Elaf Al Taqwa as one of the luxury hotels that combines modern touches with authentic hospitality values to welcome visitors and pilgrims in Madinah.

The award by one of the world’s largest online travel agencies demonstrates the hotel’s commitment to realising Elaf Group’s vision and strategy to ensure the satisfaction of visitors and provide them with one-of-its-kind experience during their stay at the establishment.

Dr Adel Ezzat, CEO of Elaf Group, said: “We are truly honoured to receive this recognition. This strengthens our position as a leading hospitality service provider in the kingdom and recognises our efforts to ensure the satisfaction of our guests. At Elaf Group, we believe true luxury should always deliver a personalised experience and we keep this as our brand promise as well. In line with this, we continue to invest in our capabilities, empower our teams with the tools they require and elevate authentic service. We look forward to welcoming our guests with top quality facilities and services to exceed the customer expectation, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.”

The 11th Annual Booking.com Traveller Review Award recognises travel providers from across 220 countries and territories for their commitment in offering excellent service and hospitality in the past year.

Dr Adel Ezzat CEO of Elaf Group

SUNMONEY SOLAR GROUP LAUNCHES ASSET-BACKED CRYPTOCURRENCY

FTFT CAPITAL’S CRYPTO CREDIBITLITY CAMPAIGN EDUCATES AND EMPLOYS STUDENTS

SunMoney Solar Group, which runs the world’s largest Community Solar Power Program, has recently opened applications for its own valueproducing asset-backed cryptocurrency token, the SDBN2 token, after successfully selling all the SDBN1 tokens introduced earlier. The SDBN2 token is a digital currency that is based on the Smart Digital Business Network (SDBN) business model, which was designed to offer financial assistance and support for businesses and individuals that wish to transition to solar energy. This cryptocurrency is backed by the increasing solar power-producing capacity of the SunMoney Solar Group.

The SDBN2 token provides investors with a unique opportunity to invest in a physical, real-world asset with lasting value. Not only does it provide an efficient way to manage and store energy, but it also automatically generates wealth for its holders through dividends on a monthly basis. In addition, users have access to real-time energy data and analytics that can be used to make informed investment decisions. For those looking to capitalize on renewable energy sources, investing in the SDBN2 token is a great option. With an established infrastructure and reliable guarantor system, this digital currency has immense potential for growth and profit.

SDBN2 token purchasers will benefit from a steady, monthly passive income generated through the company’s available solar power plant capacity. This is enabled by a state-ofthe-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) system that optimizes the use of sunshine to maximize yield.

FTFT Capital has launched a CryptoCredibility campaign designed to help students be more well-versed with blockchain and cryptocurrencies. The campaign focuses on positively engaging students to help them gain a stronger understanding of the technology and lift their confidence.

The campaign is the brainchild of Ola Lind, Director - FTFT Capital and Global Blockchain Business Council UAE Ambassador whose vision is to short bridge the gap between mass adoption and the current dynamics of the crypto ecosystem by providing a platform for blockchain innovation and education.

The hour-long interactive session introduced the young adults to the world of cryptocurrency, talking about the different kinds of cryptocurrencies, their uses, and a brief introduction on how to get started. FTFT Capital is leveraging its employees, customers, and contacts for this campaign to offer students a hands-on-immersive learning experience and the opportunity whenever possible to secure employment or internships that will allow them to learn alongside industry leaders, develop their own projects, and hone their skills and expertise in the sector.

GEARING UP THE REST 26% OF THE POPULATION

A report by YouGov showed that 68% of young adults (1824) in the UAE are seeking to invest in cryptocurrencies in the next 5 years; however, 20% of them stated that they don't have enough knowledge about it. without adequate information or investigation.

“With major improvements taking place in the crypto and blockchain field, we want the younger generation to look at this as a full-fledged career path rather than just an investment,” said Ola Lind, Director of FTFT Capital.

Ola Lind Director, FTFT Capital

Peter Bahorecz Chief Networking Officer, SunMoney Solar Group

A NEW FINTECH PLATFORM FUNDING POSSIBILITIES, LAUNCHED IN THE UAE

TELR AND URPAY SIGNED STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP-LEAP23

Telr, the award-winning online payment gateway, and "urpay" digital wallet, a product of neoleap, which is a leading fintech company whose role is to develop the individual and business sectors to be safer and more secure, announced a strategic partnership that allows Telr merchants in Saudi Arabia to accept " urpay" as a payment method for customers buying goods and services online in the Kingdom.

Agroup of six professional entrepreneurs across the UAE and India, who have invested in more than 75+ start-ups and helped businesses raise US$500 million worth of capital, have joined hands to launch a Fintech Platform called Funding Possibilities that will connect start-ups with investors, borrowers with lender and buyers with the seller.

Funding or access to capital has significantly hindered the growth of start-ups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the UAE. Funding Possibilities is a sought-after platform for both seekers and providers of capital, providing access to various forms of capital beyond equity, including traditional debt, alternative and structured finance. It aims to make private markets more accessible and transparent.

It seeks to give retail investors access to start-ups and enable retail investors to contribute to the overall startup ecosystem and new-age businesses.

Funding Possibilities is a sector and stage agnostic platform aiming to build more than ten profitable unicorns, i.e., Profi-Corns, in the coming decade.

The launch of Funding Possibilities comes barely three weeks after the launch of the Dubai Economic Agenda 'D33' by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, that includes 100 transformative projects, with economic targets of Dh32 trillion over the next ten years, doubling its foreign trade to reach Dh25.6 trillion and adding 400 cities as key trading partners over the next decade. More than 400,000 SMEs operate. They represent more than 60 per cent of the UAE's non-oil economy and provide employment opportunities for 86 per cent of the workforce in the private sector, the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development reports.

The partnership agreement between the two companies aims to expand the horizon for merchants in the Saudi market by adding a secure digital wallet, enriching the supported payment methods, and improving their customers' payment experience. Telr is constantly working hard to offer new payment methods to their customers, enriching the collection of offered payment methods that aim to unlock new opportunities for merchants in Saudi Arabia. This partnership supports the continuous efforts toward the transition to digital payments and is in line with the Kingdom's vision to build a cashless society by 2030.

Khalil Alami, Founder & CEO of Telr, valued the signing of this agreement, pointing out that Telr is constantly seeking to come up with a new safe payment to serve all merchants and users around Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Alami also added, "Through this integration, our merchants will be connected to a growing set of payment methods supported by Telr, which aim at enhancing their competitive position in the field of e-commerce and ease the online shopping process for their customers in Saudi Arabia. "

COST OF AN EMAIL-BORNE SECURITY ATTACK CAN ON AVERAGE EXCEED $1 MILLION

Highlights:

• 75% of organizations surveyed experienced a successful emailborne attack in the last 12 months.

• Recovering from an email-borne security attack can cost victims more than $1 million on average.

• 69% of those hit by ransomware say the attack started with an email.

• Having a higher proportion of remote workers increases security risk and recovery costs. Barracuda Networks, a trusted partner and leading provider of cloud-first security solutions, today published its 2023 Email Security Trends report that shows how email-based security attacks affect organizations around the world. 75% of the organizations surveyed for the report had fallen victim to at least one successful email attack in the last 12 months, with those affected facing average potential costs of more than $1 million for their most expensive attack. 23% said that the cost of email-based attacks has risen dramatically over the last year.

The frontline to survey, conducted by independent research firm Vanson Bourne and commissioned by Barracuda, questioned IT professionals from the most senior roles in companies with 100 to 2,500 employees, across a range of industries in the U.S. and EMEA and APAC countries.

The fallout from an email security attack can be significant.

The most widely reported effects were downtime and business disruption (affecting 44% of those that had been hit), the loss of sensitive, confidential, and business-critical data (43%), and damage to brand reputation (41%).

There were notable differences between industries. For example, financial services organizations were particularly affected by the loss of valuable data and money to attackers (cited by 59% and 51% of victims, respectively), while in manufacturing the top impact was the disruption of business operations (53%). For healthcare institutions the recovery costs involved in getting systems up and running again quickly were the most significant (44%). Regardless of size or industry, however, organizations with more than half their employees working remotely faced higher levels of risk and recovery costs.

Organizations also feel underprepared to deal with the threat of malware and viruses (34%), advanced email attacks like account takeover (30%) and business email

compromise (28%), and even more basic threats like spam (28%).

“Email is a trusted and ubiquitous communications channel, and that makes it an attractive target for cybercriminals. We expect email-based attacks to become increasingly sophisticated, leveraging AI and advanced social engineering in their attempts to get the data or access they want and evade security measures,” said Don MacLennan, SVP, Engineering & Product Management, Email Protection, Barracuda.

“Email-based attacks can be the initial access point for a wide range of cyberthreats, including ransomware, information stealers, spyware, crypto mining, other malware, and more. It is not surprising that IT teams around the world don’t feel fully prepared to defend against many emailbased threats. Growing awareness and understanding of email risks and the robust protection needed to stay safe will be key in keeping organizations and their employees protected in 2023 and beyond.”