Sandhya D’Mello spoke to Tony Zabaneh, Director of Systems Engineering at South Middle East, Fortinet, about tackling modern cybersecurity challenges.
Is the UAE at the forefront of adopting cybersecurity solutions, especially with its strong focus on digital transformation?
The UAE is a leader in digital transformation, with initiatives that have driven the country to become nearly paperless. With such advancements come new threats, and cybersecurity becomes paramount. The leadership’s vision for digitalisation pushes the need for robust cybersecurity solutions, and organisations here are proactive in adopting these to ensure safety and security.
How are businesses in the UAE responding to these trends? Are they keeping pace with the rapid changes?
Businesses in the UAE are definitely catching up. We work with organisations across different sectors—private, public, and almost every vertical in the country. The awareness of the problems is there, and organisations are progressing toward effective solutions. I wouldn’t say they’re lagging; they are very much in tune with the challenges, especially through educational initiatives and events like GITEX. The knowledge and education are there—it just takes time to implement.
What are the key cybersecurity challenges organisations face today, and how does Fortinet address them?
One of the biggest challenges today is the fast pace at which cyber threats evolve, particularly with zero-day vulnerabilities and organised crime. It used to take months for zero-day exploits to be reported, but now, we see that happening in just a few days. The challenge is automating the response to these threats and ensuring seamless integration across multiple security technologies. Fortinet addresses these challenges by ensuring that our solutions automate, communicate, and deliver effective security responses in real time.
How important is innovation to Fortinet’s approach to cybersecurity?
Innovation is critical. In today’s world, if you aren’t innovating—if you aren’t applying AI and leveraging cutting-edge technologies—you’re already behind. At Fortinet, we invest heavily in R&D, leading the way in AI-driven cybersecurity solutions. We’re constantly evolving to ensure that our customers are equipped with the latest tools to protect their environments, and we demonstrate these advancements during events like GITEX.
With many companies moving data to the cloud, how is Fortinet addressing cloud security in the region?
Cloud security is indeed critical, especially for industries with strict data sovereignty regulations, such as the public sector, banking, and healthcare. Fortinet ensures that organisations can maintain security whether their data remains on local servers or is moved to the cloud. Our CNAP (Cloud-Native Application Protection) solutions help organisations align their cloud security strategy with their overall security approach, ensuring consistent protection across all environments.
How should businesses prioritise their cybersecurity efforts in today’s threat landscape?
Every organisation I interact with has a cybersecurity vision and projects in place. Cybersecurity isn’t something that can be tackled in a day—it’s an ongoing process. The key is continuous enhancement, better integration, and increased automation. I’ve seen organisations across various sectors in the UAE, from public services to aviation and healthcare, prioritise security as a long-term strategy.
Has cybersecurity awareness in the UAE grown to the point where organisations are allocating larger budgets to it?
Yes, cybersecurity awareness is on the rise, and organisations are increasing their budgets for it. As we’ve moved beyond traditional infrastructure spending, security is now a primary concern. The perimeter of organisations is no longer confined to physical locations—employees can access data from anywhere, which means security must extend beyond the office. Investing in security is as crucial as investing in the infrastructure itself.
How has the cybersecurity landscape evolved in the UAE as digital transformation accelerates?
With the UAE’s rapid digitalisation, cybersecurity has evolved alongside it. Every organisation, big or small, relies on digital platforms, and cybersecurity is now a non-negotiable part of the digital economy. From paying for services via a simple QR code to managing critical infrastructure, security is always a priority. This is reflected in the increased focus we see at major events like GITEX.
Image Credit: Fortinet
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