Dubai’s homegrown cybersecurity startup launches the region’s first cloud-based DNS firewall service, strengthening digital defense for businesses across MENA.
Dubai-resident, Wissam Saadeddine is on a mission to offer a secure digital space through his home-grown, recently launched, Secure Domains. The self-funded venture — which is open to raise funds in mid-2025 — was founded with the mission to deliver unparalleled cloud-based cybersecurity services. It is the first company in the GCC and Africa to offer cloud-based DNS firewall services and security through its flagship SaaS product, ‘DNS Armor’.
The product DNS Armor stands out for its top-tier security features and user-friendly interface, allowing it to be tailored precisely to meet the unique needs of each client. Its flexible implementation and highly customizable design ensure that it can be applied and scaled efficiently according to specific requirements.
Wissam Saadeddine, Co-Founder of Secure Domains spoke to CPI Media Group about what compelled him to take the entrepreneurial journey and offer the best to the Middle East region with Dubai playing a key role in nurturing his ambition to protect businesses from cyber threats.
Interview Excerpts:
Q. Can you discuss the importance of DNS in digital security based on your experience?
During my previous work stint, which spanned nearly a decade, I gained profound insights into the critical role of DNS (Domain Name System) in securing digital infrastructures. We always emphasize DNS as the foundational layer of defense in any security architecture—be it for organizations or individuals aiming to safeguard their business and minimize risks.
Throughout those years, we observed a growing awareness of DNS’s importance, though it was initially overlooked by many in their security strategies. This shift in perspective became crucial as businesses increasingly moved towards digital transformation and cloud services. Essentially, every online activity begins with a DNS query, whether it’s checking emails or accessing applications like WhatsApp. This initial transaction, the DNS query, seeks to locate and connect with the desired online destination.
Recognizing the potential of DNS to act as a security filter, it can significantly enhance protection by screening out malicious sites right from the start, thus mitigating risks early in the cyber kill chain. This realization led me to appreciate DNS not just as a utility but as a potent security tool, which, however, hadn’t received adequate attention for its integration into broader security frameworks.
My previous workplaces continued to emphasize the importance of DNS, particularly in distributed and borderless infrastructures. However, the focus on DNS as a primary security gateway remained inadequate. This led to the creation of a new platform, developed in collaboration with my colleague Mohammad and other developers, aimed at utilizing the full potential of DNS.
We envisioned a platform that was not only robust and compliant with data sovereignty and local regulations but also MSP-ready, supporting multi-tenancy to cater to service providers. This comprehensive approach has enabled us to offer a customized DNS service that meets the specific needs of diverse organizational environments, thereby reinforcing DNS as the cornerstone of digital security architecture.
Q. DNS is often overlooked as a critical security layer. What are the biggest challenges in raising awareness about its importance, and how does your platform address these gaps?
Organizations must prioritize DNS as the first layer of defense in their cybersecurity architecture. Everything we do online, from checking emails to using apps, starts with a DNS query. If we empower DNS with security features, it can serve as a powerful filter to block threats at the earliest stage of the cyber kill chain.
Over the period of time, I realized that DNS security still wasn’t getting enough attention as the first security gateway and that’s when I started thinking—why not create our own platform? Together with Mohammad (one of our key developers), we saw a major gap in the market: Limited awareness about DNS security’s role as the first layer of defense; Compliance challenges—existing DNS services from global providers did not fully comply with local data sovereignty and residency regulations set by governments and central banks; and MSP readiness—we needed a multi-tenant, MSP-ready platform that service providers could offer as a fully managed solution for their customers.
With these three key pillars in mind, we built our own cloud-based DNS security platform, hosted locally to ensure regulatory compliance while providing robust, first-line defense against cyber threats. Now, we are actively marketing it across the region, ensuring that organizations have a secure, compliant, and scalable DNS security solution.
Q. What were the driving factors behind the decision to build a localized solution instead of relying on multinational solutions?
The idea started about a year and a half ago. We believed in the concept and the service we wanted to deliver, but we needed to make it our own and market-ready. Instead of relying on multinational solutions that are shipped to our region, we decided to build a solution locally—tailored for this market, compliant with regulations, and fulfilling the region’s needs.
Q. When you launched DNS Armor, what was the initial response? Was there resistance to your solution?
We just launched DNS Armor recently so we don’t have an extensive track record yet. However, we did a pre-launch phase, engaging with customers and partners, and the response was better than expected. Businesses are keen to adopt a UAE-based vendor rather than relying on global providers, there is a strong support for a regionally built security platform compliant with local regulations.
Q. What are your growth plans for the MENA region?
The platform is already up and running across multiple countries. Our cloud infrastructure is operational in the UAE, Qatar, and other parts of the region. For now, our focus is on expanding in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, while also partnering with MSPs in Kuwait and Egypt. Our go-to-market strategy is channel-driven, working through partners to grow across the broader MENA region.
Q. Looking beyond DNS Armor, what innovations do you plan for 2025?
Our roadmap is built on three key phases:
- Enhancing DNS security – Leveraging AI and threat intelligence to detect sophisticated cyber threats.
- Expanding to DDI (DNS, DHCP, and IP Address Management) – Strengthening network security.
- Developing a Secure Web Gateway – To protect all internet traffic, beyond just DNS.
Eventually, we aim to build a full-fledged SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) platform, but we are starting by establishing a robust security foundation first.
Q. How does DNS Armor address cybersecurity threats in the region?
A major cybersecurity gap is that data can leak through DNS traffic, bypassing even the most advanced security solutions. Attackers can stealthily extract data using zero-day domains—domains with no history of being malicious—making them difficult to detect.
DNS Armor prevents this by:
- Using AI-driven threat intelligence with 30 million+ malicious domain indicators (IOCs).
- Detecting and blocking malicious DNS traffic before it reaches an organization’s network.
- Preventing data exfiltration by monitoring DNS queries in real time.
This solution protects users anywhere, whether they are in an office or working remotely, ensuring DNS is the first line of defense against cyber threats.
