December Issue 2025

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Trust, Transformation THE MIDDLE EAST CHANNEL AND THE FUTURE OF

As the Middle East accelerates its journey toward a digital-first, AI-driven economy, one truth is becoming increasingly clear: technology alone is no longer the differentiator. Trust, execution, and the ability to deliver measurable outcomes now define success across the region’s IT ecosystem. In this issue of Channel Post MEA, we explore how distributors, vendors, and partners are redefining their roles to meet this new reality — moving beyond transactions to become strategic enablers of transformation.

Our cover story spotlights SecureNet Distribution, a company that exemplifies this shift. In an in-depth conversation, Melwin Dsouza, Founder and CEO of SecureNet, shares how the organization has evolved from a focused distribution venture into a service-led, value-driven enabler across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. SecureNet’s journey reflects a broader regional trend: enterprises and partners no longer seek access to products alone, but demand expertise, speed, and dependable guidance in navigating cybersecurity, networking, and cloud complexity. SecureNet’s emphasis on people, partners, and purpose highlights how trust has become the most valuable currency in today’s channel landscape.

“Middle East channel is no longer just a route to market. It is a strategic ecosystem — intelligent, adaptive, and outcome-focused — playing a central role in shaping the region’s digital future.”

Complementing our cover story, this issue’s feature explores how tech vendors and distributors are reinventing channel strategy in the Middle East. From AI-enabled partner programs and subscription-led models to outcome-driven engagement and localized enablement, the region’s channel is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. As customer expectations rise and competition intensifies, partners are evolving into advisors, architects, and service providers — delivering value across the entire technology lifecycle.

Throughout this edition, leaders from across the industry — including F5, AmiViz, NTT Data, Westcon-Comstor, Check Point, Fortinet, HP, NetApp, NVIDIA, Mindware, Cisco, and many others — share insights into how AI, cloud, security, and data-driven strategies are reshaping go-to-market models. A common theme emerges: sustainable growth now depends on specialization, technical depth, and the ability to align technology outcomes with business objectives.

We also examine landmark announcement such as Cisco’s 360 Partner Program, a transformation that underscores the industry’s pivot toward lifecycle engagement, services-led value, and measurable ROI — particularly critical as enterprises prepare infrastructure and data foundations for AI adoption.

As you navigate this issue, one message resonates strongly: the Middle East channel is no longer just a route to market. It is a strategic ecosystem — intelligent, adaptive, and outcomefocused — playing a central role in shaping the region’s digital future.

Adding a lighter touch to this issue, our popular monthly horoscope returns with fresh perspectives for the month ahead — offering readers a moment to pause, reflect, and find inspiration beyond the world of technology.

We hope this edition provides clarity, inspiration, and actionable insight as you build, adapt, and lead in this new era of channel transformation.

TO THE NEW ERA: HPE PARTNER READY VANTAGE

STRENGTHENS REGIONAL FOOTPRINT WITH STRATEGIC MARKETING DRIVE

MIDDLE EAST DRIVES GROWTH THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND INNOVATION

CyberKnight

Partners with Teramind to Strengthen Insider Risk Management in MEA

CyberKnight has announced a strategic partnership with Teramind, the global leader in insider risk management and workforce analytics. Trusted by over 10,000 organizations worldwide, Teramind’s unified platform delivers advanced activity monitoring, behavioral insights, and real-time policy enforcement across cloud and on-premises environments.

As digital transformation accelerates in the Middle East and Africa, the collaboration will equip enterprises and government entities with privacyfirst visibility tools tailored to sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government. “Insider risk management is becoming a board-level priority, and Teramind’s analytics-driven platform adds a critical layer of visibility and control,” said Wael Jaber, Chief Strategy Officer at CyberKnight. Matthew Trotter, SVP at Teramind, added the partnership marks a milestone in global expansion.

Cohesity Named Cisco SolutionsPlus “Top Durable Growth and Innovation Partner FY25”

Cohesity has been recognized as the “Top Durable Growth and Innovation Partner for FY25” in Cisco’s SolutionsPlus program, highlighting three years of sustained revenue performance, customer success, and joint innovation.

Key achievements include first-to-market solutions integrating Cohesity with Cisco SecureX, Cisco XDR, and UCS X-Series; multiple Cisco Validated Designs across security and data protection; and the upcoming launch of Cohesity Gaia software on Cisco AI PODs—scalable AI infrastructure stacks with NVIDIA AI Enterprise.

“This award reflects over seven years of joint innovation,” said Vikram Kanodia, VP of Tech Alliances at Cohesity. The recognition underscores Cohesity’s growth trajectory and deep collaboration with Cisco to deliver resilient, full-stack data protection and ransomware solutions worldwide.

Micron to Exit Crucial Consumer Business, Focus on Enterprise Growth

Micron Technology announced it will exit the Crucial consumer business, ending sales of Crucial-branded products at global retailers, e-tailers, and distributors by February 2026. The company will continue shipments until fiscal Q2 and maintain warranty support.

The move reflects Micron’s strategy to prioritize enterprise and commercial segments amid surging AI-driven demand for memory and storage. “Exiting the Crucial consumer business allows us to better serve strategic customers in faster-growing markets,” said Sumit Sadana, EVP and Chief Business Officer.

Micron will redeploy team members into open roles to minimize impact. The Crucial brand, long associated with quality and reliability, leaves a 29-year legacy as Micron sharpens its focus on profitable growth vectors in data center and enterprise solutions.

Spectrum Networks Named Finalist for 2025 Microsoft Training Services Partner of the Year

Spectrum Networks has been recognized as a finalist for the 2025 Microsoft Training Services Partner of the Year Award, honored among a global field of partners for excellence in innovation and customer solutions.

“We are deeply honored by this recognition, which underscores our commitment to delivering training that enhances organizational capability across the Microsoft ecosystem,” said Sanjeev Singh, Managing Director.

Selected from over 4,600 nominations across 100+ countries, Spectrum Networks was recognized for outcomes-driven skilling at scale across Microsoft’s cloud, AI, security, and data portfolios. With role-based curricula, hands-on labs, and certification pathways, the company continues to accelerate adoption, close skills gaps, and drive measurable business results across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia Pacific.

Salesforce has introduced Agentforce in Arabic, enabling organisations across the UAE and Middle East to deploy autonomous AI agents that operate natively in Arabic. The launch supports national priorities around digital transformation, talent development, and language inclusion, empowering government entities, enterprises, and community-focused organisations.

With Arabic support now available for Service Agent and Employee Agent, organisations can deliver 24/7 customer and citizen services, improve operational efficiency, and empower Arabic-speaking employees through intelligent digital assistants. “This milestone enables organisations to become truly Agentic Enterprises, where humans and AI agents collaborate seamlessly to drive excellence and innovation,” said Mohammed Alkhotani, SVP & GM, Salesforce Middle East.

The initiative builds on Salesforce’s broader regional investment, meeting growing demand for trusted AI and modern customer experience platforms.

Salesforce Launches Agentforce in Arabic to Accelerate AI Adoption in UAE Kingston Tops Global SSD Channel Shipments in 2024 with 36% Market Share

TrendForce has named Kingston the number one third-party SSD supplier in the channel for 2024, with Kingston accounting for 36% of global shipments— nearly triple the share of the second-place supplier at 13%. Despite a 14% YoY decline in overall channel SSD shipments due to weak consumer demand, Kingston grew its market share, reinforcing its leadership through strong channel presence, diverse portfolio, and customer support.

In 2024, Kingston expanded across client, data center, industrial, and external SSD segments, launching the NV3 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, the DC2000B for servers, and the Red Dot Award-winning XS1000 External SSD. Industrial SSDs were also refreshed for demanding environments. Kingston’s continued innovation positions it to capitalize on rising AIdriven demand for high-capacity, high-performance storage.

NTT DATA Wins 2025 Microsoft GSI Growth Champion Partner of the Year

NTT DATA has been named the 2025 Microsoft Global System Integrator (GSI) Growth Champion Partner of the Year, recognized for excellence in innovation and client solutions built on Microsoft technology. Selected from over 4,600 nominations across 100+ countries, the award highlights NTT DATA’s rapid growth since becoming a Microsoft GSI Partner in July 2023.

The company also won

three additional Partner of the Year Awards: Converged Communications Partner of the Year, Germany Partner of the Year, and Portugal Partner of the Year (for the second consecutive year). NTT DATA was further named a finalist in AI Innovation, Manufacturing, Migrate SAP, and Sustainability Changemaker categories, underscoring its global collaboration with Microsoft and leadership in driving enterprise transformation.

CloudSEK Partners with Seed Group to Strengthen Cybersecurity in the Middle East

CloudSEK has announced a strategic partnership with Seed Group to deliver next-generation cyber risk-management capabilities across public and private sectors in the Middle East. The collaboration brings CloudSEK’s AI-powered Cyber Threat Intelligence platform to the region, enabling faster detection, contextual analysis, and proactive mitigation of cyber threats.

By continuously mapping digital footprints and analysing data from open, deep, and dark-web sources, CloudSEK provides real-time, actionable intelligence across 170 use cases, including brand monitoring, attack surface management, and supply chain security.

“This partnership will bolster Dubai’s digital hub and advance regional cybersecurity,” said Hisham Al Gurg, CEO of Seed Group. CloudSEK Founder and CEO Rahul Sasi added, “Expanding into the GCC marks a pivotal milestone as we empower organisations to stay ahead of evolving threats.”

80% of UAE Channel Partners Not Yet AI-Ready, Says Westcon-Comstor Research

A new survey by global distributor Westcon-Comstor reveals that 80% of UAE channel partners are not yet equipped to design and deliver AI-ready networking solutions, despite strong customer demand. Only 20% currently offer advanced AI-integrated services, below the global average of 26%.

The study, conducted among 500 senior decision makers across five countries, highlights readiness gaps in the UAE. Just 30% of partners believe customer infrastructures are fully prepared for AI workloads, compared to 33% globally. Nearly half (48%) are developing AI capabilities, while 28% are still “exploring” AI alongside traditional networking—the highest figure among surveyed markets, suggesting UAE partners are behind peers in embedding AI into offerings.

Most partners already support customers in areas like visibility, security, and automation. However, fewer are active in emerging technologies such as intent-based networking (39%) and zero-trust architecture (34%), underscoring the need for advanced skills to drive transformation.

Barriers to AI adoption include integration with legacy systems, compliance challenges, and internal skill shortages. Customers also report uncertainty around technology choices, creating opportunities for partners to act as trusted advisors.

Despite these hurdles, growth prospects are strong. AI-enhanced network security analytics was cited by 44% of UAE respondents as the biggest revenue driver over the next 12–18 months. Other opportunities include autonomous/self-healing networks (40%), AI-powered observability and diagnostics (36%), and edge-to-cloud optimisation (34%).

“UAE partners are slightly less confident in their AI maturity than global peers, but this can change,” said Rakesh Parbhoo, EVP, Middle East and Africa at Westcon-Comstor. “With the right strategy, they can build capabilities to meet customer needs and succeed with AI-led networking.”

Patrick Aronson, CMO and EVP, Asia-Pacific, added: “AI is changing the game. Partners who lean in now, build capability, and get closer to customers will lead the next wave of growth.”

MEEZA, Naufar Strengthen Partnership to Advance AI in Qatar’s Healthcare

Qatar’s leading Managed IT Services and Solutions provider, MEEZA, Naufar, a specialised substance use treatment and rehabilitation provider, have renewed their strategic partnership. The renewed collaboration marks a significant milestone with the introduction of advanced software platforms and technology infrastructure management services leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) designed to enhance healthcare delivery, optimize operations, and advance research in mental health and personalized care.

Building on a successful partnership that established a secure and future-ready IT foundation, this new agreement highlights a joint commitment to leveraging AI-driven innovation. MEEZA, will support Naufar in implementing digital platforms, managed infrastructure, and AI-enabled applications such as GPU-as-a-service, designed to enhance clinical workflows, research capabilities, and data-driven decision making, ensuring in-country compliance, security, and agility

Through this renewed partnership, Naufar is set to advance its digital transformation journey by integrating Artificial Intelligence across its clinical and operational systems. The collaboration will enable personalized patient care through advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and precision medicine solutions. It will also strengthen clinical decision-making with AI-assisted tools for diagnosis, treatment planning, and recovery management, while enhancing efficiency and productivity through intelligent workflow automation and optimized resource utilization. In addition, AI-driven insights will enrich research in mental health, providing a deeper understanding of treatment outcomes and long-term recovery patterns.

Saleh Al Muhanadi, Acting Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer of Naufar, stated: “At Naufar, we continuously seek to integrate innovation and technology in ways that directly enhance the quality and

personalization of care we provide. Our renewed partnership with MEEZA marks a pivotal step in this journey, further strengthening our commitment to elevating patient care and streamlining operations through the strategic use of AI and digital transformation.”

Mohammed Ali Al-Ghaithani, Chief Executive Officer of MEEZA, added: “Our strengthened partnership with Naufar reflects MEEZA’s mission to drive digital transformation in Qatar through AI, Cloud, and Cybersecurity. By harnessing the MEEZA services and AI capabilities, we are enabling Naufar to lead in applying next-generation technologies in healthcare to create smarter, safer, and more effective solutions for patients and clinicians alike.”

The renewal of this agreement underscores MEEZA and Naufar’s shared vision of using digital innovation—particularly Artificial Intelligence—to revolutionize healthcare in Qatar.

Redington Honors its Channel Partners in Kuwait

Redington successfully hosted its flagship channel partner event, The Forum 2025, in Kuwait – an evening dedicated to celebrating partnerships, showcasing innovation, and unlocking the country’s digital potential. Bringing together leading vendors, partners, and industry stakeholders from across Kuwait’s ICT ecosystem, the event served as a platform to reaffirm Redington’s commitment to enabling growth through its Unlock Next vision, helping partners embrace cloud, software, and AI-driven transformation.

In his keynote address, Jeetendra Berry, President, GCC and Levant, Redington Group, spoke about Redington’s strategic evolution from a technology distributor to

an orchestrator of opportunities, empowering partners to accelerate innovation and stay ahead of customer needs.

“Kuwait is entering a pivotal phase in its digital evolution, and Redington is privileged to stand alongside the nation’s partners in shaping that future.”

“Our journey has always been about anticipating what’s next – transforming from distribution to orchestration, from products to platforms, and from enablement to true transformation. We’ve built the agility and ecosystem depth to stay ahead of every market curve, and that’s what allows us to empower partners in Kuwait to scale with confidence, drive sustainable innovation, and unlock the country’s full digital potential.”

The evening culminated with the Ecosystem Partner Awards 2025, honoring channel organizations that have demonstrated exceptional performance, collaboration, and innovation across business categories.

The winners included the following companies -

1. Cloud Partner of the Year 2025 – CPT Computer Accessories Company

2. Infrastructure Partner of the Year 2025 – Hadaf Al-Khaleejia Trad. & Cont. Est

3. Security Partner of the Year 2025 – Future Technology Systems Company

4. Computing Partner of the Year 2025 – Eureka Trading Company WLL

5. Unified Solutions Partner of the Year 2025 – Burhan Technology Computer Co. WLL

6. Consumables Partner of the Year 2025 – Al Maha Stationery & Office Supplies

7. Emerging Partner of the Year 2025 – Middle East Telecommunications Company WLL

8. Highest Growth Partner 2025 – Kuwaiti Digital Computer Company

9. Retailer of the Year 2025 – Easa Husain Al-Yousifi & Sons Co

10. Consistency & Excellence Award 2025 – KuwaitNet Gen Trad & Cont Co WLL

11. Partner of the Year 2025 – Xcite General Trading Co. S.P.C

Mindware Becomes Autodesk Authorized Training Center to Drive Regional Skills Development

Mindware announced that it has signed an agreement with Autodesk to deliver official Autodesk-certified training programs across key regional markets. The agreement designates Mindware as an Autodesk Authorized Training Center (ATC), enabling the company to offer hands-on, instructor-led training and accredited certification pathways aligned with Autodesk’s global standards. As an ATC, Mindware is authorized to conduct official Autodesk training and deliver certification exams, strengthening its role in supporting professional development across the architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and design sectors.

Brent Norman, Autodesk Unit Director at Mindware, said the agreement reflects the company’s commitment to bridging the digital skills gap and equipping professionals with advanced, industry-relevant competencies. He noted that becoming an ATC marks a significant expansion of Mindware’s education and enablement portfolio, complementing its broader digital transformation initiatives and reinforcing its position as a regional hub for skills development.

Mindware will begin offering Autodesk-certified training across select Middle East markets, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco, with plans to expand into Sub-Saharan Africa. The initial training portfolio will cover leading Autodesk solutions such as AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, Infraworks, Inventor, Fusion 360, 3ds Max, and Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC). These programs address key disciplines including architecture, engineering, construction, BIM, manufacturing, mechanical design, and product lifecycle management.

Training will be delivered through a hybrid model, combining in-person sessions at Mindware’s regional training centres with virtual instructor-led classes for remote learners. All programs will adhere strictly to Autodesk ATC standards, using official courseware, digital labs, and assessment methodologies. Mindware trainers bring extensive real-world industry experience, and all

instructors will undergo Autodesk’s official accreditation process to ensure compliance with global quality benchmarks.

Through this initiative, Mindware aims to make Autodesk’s globally recognised certifications accessible to students, early-career professionals, experienced engineers and designers, enterprise customers building internal capabilities, and channel partners seeking deeper technical expertise.

“This partnership is part of a broader roadmap to expand Mindware’s education portfolio into areas such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, AI, and data analytics, establishing Mindware as a comprehensive centre of excellence for IT and engineering certifications,” said Mostafa Kabel, CTO at Mindware.

Claudette Reuter, Sr. Manager Emerging Markets Channel Sales at Autodesk, added that the collaboration will help expand access to highquality digital design and engineering skills, enabling professionals and enterprises to build the capabilities needed to drive innovation and deliver transformative projects across the region.

Anomali Launches MSSP Program to Transform Managed Security Services

Anomali has announced the launch of its Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) Program, a new initiative designed to help MSSPs worldwide deliver faster, more efficient, and more secure services across multiple clients through a unified, multi-tenant platform built on an open security data lake architecture. MSSPs today face increasing challenges in managing complex environments, balancing scalability, data isolation, and retention requirements for multiple customers. Many providers still rely on separate instances or manual data exports, methods that are inefficient, costly, and difficult to scale. The Anomali MSSP

Program addresses these issues by combining true multi-tenancy with federated search and a fully open data lake, enabling MSSPs to manage and analyze security across all clients simultaneously without compromising control or compliance.

According to Alexandre Depret-Bixio, Senior Vice President for Anomali’s MENA Operations, the program is designed to remove barriers that have slowed down managed security providers for years. By offering an open data lake foundation, MSSPs can store, retain, and analyze telemetry from multiple customers in one place without lockin, while maintaining strict data separation. The program integrates ThreatStream and Security Analytics into a high-performance open data lake, giving MSSPs centralized management of threat feeds, observables, and dashboards. Data remains in customeror MSSP-controlled storage, ensuring independence, long-term retention, and compatibility across the broader security ecosystem.

Anomali Copilot, powered by Agentic AI, is fully integrated into the platform, enriching alerts, prioritizing threats, and surfacing contextual insights across multitenant environments. This transforms intelligence and analytics into decisive action, scaling analyst expertise across every customer. By consolidating threat intelligence and analytics into a single, open data lake, MSSPs can reduce investigation times, eliminate manual processes, and maintain transparency over client data. During incidents, providers can instantly identify affected clients, coordinate responses, and generate tailored reports, ensuring speed, accuracy, and compliance across engagements.

The Anomali MSSP Program delivers open, scalable, and intelligent cross-tenant visibility from day one, setting a new benchmark for how managed security services are delivered and scaled.

Darktrace Enhances Email Security with Multi-Domain Detection, Outbound Protections, and SOC Integrations

Darktrace has announced a series of enhancements to its Darktrace / EMAIL solution, aimed at detecting and stopping attacks across communication channels, strengthening outbound protections, and streamlining SOC workflows. The new capabilities are designed to help security teams catch sophisticated threats that evade traditional tools, safeguard sensitive data, and preserve trust in digital communications while reducing operational complexity.

To address the rise of multi-channel campaigns, Darktrace introduced integration between Darktrace / EMAIL and Darktrace / IDENTITY, enabling stronger multidomain detection and response. Suspicious patterns such as email bombing can now trigger heightened sensitivity around targeted users, helping to spot account takeovers or impersonation attempts more quickly. This cross-domain correlation extends into applications like Salesforce, where Darktrace can assess potentially malicious tickets created from email, giving teams faster, coordinated responses.

Detection accuracy has also been strengthened by layering behavioral insights with traditional threat intelligence, integrating antivirus verdicts and structured feeds to enrich alerts with deeper context and enable faster triage. These enhancements build on Darktrace / EMAIL’s ability to combine behavioral and content analysis across inbound, outbound, and lateral email, as well as Microsoft Teams messaging, learning normal communication patterns and spotting subtle deviations that define modern attacks.

Recognizing the importance of outbound security, Darktrace observed a 1,317% surge in phishing attacks during Black Friday, underscoring the need to protect trusted channels. To combat brand abuse, Darktrace / EMAIL–DMARC now includes BIMI support, allowing verified brand logos to appear in inboxes and reinforcing trust in legitimate communications. Alongside this, Darktrace introduced the industry’s first label-free behavioral DLP powered by a proprietary language model, capable of identifying over 35 categories of PII and PHI. By learning how users handle sensitive data and

intervening when behavior deviates, the solution prevents misaddressed emails and unintended data sharing.

To reduce friction for SOC teams, Darktrace / EMAIL now integrates with Jira and ServiceNow for automated ticket creation, and with sandbox analysis for rapid threat validation. These join existing integrations with Microsoft Defender for Office 365 and Microsoft Security Copilot, consolidating visibility and accelerating investigations.

“Email is the starting point for attacks that expand into identities, cloud, and collaboration tools,” said Connie Stride, SVP of Product at Darktrace. “Our latest innovations extend multi-domain detection and strengthen safeguards on outbound messages, giving teams the visibility and precision to stop modern attacks before they progress.”

Westcon-Comstor and Check Point Launch Renewal API to Drive Channel Partner Growth

Westcon-Comstor announced a significant milestone in its automation journey with Check Point Software through the launch of a renewal API designed to accelerate channel partner growth. Built for scalability, the API is intended to deliver substantial value to partners while paving the way for a fully automated quote-tocash process. By streamlining renewals, the solution enables faster turnaround times, reduces manual touchpoints, and improves overall accuracy.

Partners are already experiencing tangible benefits, including greater visibility and a simpler, more efficient quoting experience. The initiative has demonstrated measurable results in terms of time savings, monetary value, and operational efficiency. Westcon-Comstor has become the first distributor in the Europe,

Middle East, and Africa region to successfully deliver such a project for Check Point, reinforcing its position as a leader in digital distribution.

The launch follows seven months of close collaboration between the two companies. The renewal API integration reduces quote turnaround by speeding up the delivery of renewal quotes to partners and end-users. It automates data flow, eliminating manual entry and minimizing errors while freeing up valuable resources. The API is also built to scale, ensuring it can handle increasing volumes as the partnership continues to grow.

Marianne Nickenig, Vice President of Revenue Operations Europe at Westcon-Comstor, expressed pride in the achievement, noting that the project highlights both technical excellence and collaboration. She emphasized that the renewal API represents a crucial step in automating the quote-to-cash process and simplifying operations for partners, allowing them to focus on customer value creation. With renewals becoming a strategic priority, she added that Westcon-Comstor’s role as a value-added distributor is to facilitate growth through initiatives like this.

Sylvia Fath, Head of Distribution EMEA at Check Point Software, highlighted the immense value the new API brings to joint partners. She explained that by simplifying operational processes, the companies are making it easier than ever for partners to conduct business. Fath described the achievement as a testament to the strength of the partnership and a key accelerator of joint automation initiatives, adding that both organizations look forward to building on this success to deliver further innovation and efficiency to the channel.

TII and Space42 Partner to Launch UAE’s First Space-to-Ground Quantum Communication Network

The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has announced a landmark collaboration with Space42 to co-develop and deploy the UAE’s first space-toground quantum communication network, marking a major milestone in the nation’s advanced technology roadmap. The initiative will integrate satellite and ground-based systems powered by sovereign Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology, enabling ultra-secure data transmission and reinforcing the UAE’s long-term vision for trusted digital infrastructure. Signed at the Dubai Airshow, the agreement lays the foundation for enhanced cyber resilience and national leadership in secure communications across both terrestrial and space domains.

Under the partnership, TII and Space42 will jointly develop, test, and deploy a space-based QKD solution that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to protect sensitive data against current and future cyber threats. Building on TII’s ongoing research and development in quantum communications, the collaboration will focus on validating secure quantum links via satellite and ground stations. These efforts are expected to pave the way for the future commercialization of quantum-secure space systems, supporting government, defense, and critical infrastructure use cases.

Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, said the collaboration represents a critical step toward establishing a national quantum communication network. By combining TII’s deep research capabilities with Space42’s advanced satellite infrastructure, she noted, the initiative will strengthen the UAE’s cyber sovereignty, protect strategic data assets, and position the country at the forefront of nextgeneration secure communication technologies that will underpin the digital economy.

Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Space Services at Space42, said the partnership aligns with the company’s ambition to become a global leader in non-terrestrial network solutions. Integrating satellite platforms with TII’s QKD technology,

he added, moves quantum-secure communications from research to realworld capability, reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in space-enabled data security.

The agreement establishes a structured framework covering research and development, quantum payload design, satellite integration, and ground infrastructure operations. It also outlines objectives for rigorous testing, validation, and in-orbit demonstration of QKD technologies under real mission conditions.

Through joint steering committees, technical working groups, and ongoing knowledge exchange, TII and Space42 aim to accelerate sovereign innovation, develop national talent, and solidify the UAE’s position as a global hub for quantum-secure communications.

Through joint steering sessions, technical coordination, and knowledge exchange, TII and Space42 aim to accelerate sovereign innovation, nurture national talent, and solidify the UAE’s position as a global hub for quantumsecure communications.

Saudi Cybersecurity Startup COGNNA Secures $9.2M

COGNNA, the Saudi-based pioneer in AI-led Security Operations, announced at Black Hat MEA 2025 the successful closing of its Series A funding round, raising $9.2 million. The round was led by Impact46, co-led by BNVT Capital, and joined by Vision Ventures and tali ventures.

This achievement marks a defining milestone in COGNNA’s mission to safeguard organizations against cyber threats through agentic AI, positioning the company as one of the fastest-growing and most influential cybersecurity startups in the region.

The new investment will accelerate COGNNA’s global expansion across product development, sales, and operations. With demand for intelligent and scalable cybersecurity solutions rising, the company plans to enhance its AI capabilities, broaden its reach across MENA and international markets, and strengthen its engineering and SOC operations teams. CEO Ibrahim AlShamrani emphasized that the funding represents more than financial backing, describing it as validation of COGNNA’s vision to protect the digital future of humanity. He highlighted the company’s ambition to build a global force in cybersecurity where AI and human expertise converge to empower organizations to operate securely, innovate boldly, and scale fearlessly.

CTO Ziyad AlSheri reinforced this vision, noting that COGNNA’s mission has always been to transform cybersecurity from reactive defense into intelligent prevention. He explained that the company’s AI-led platform is designed to anticipate threats rather than simply respond to them, creating an Agentic SOC that adapts and protects in real time. The funding will accelerate research and development in AI and automation, enabling COGNNA to scale globally while continuing to deliver proactive and predictive security solutions. At the heart of its offering is the “Nexus” platform, which delivers measurable impact for organizations by enabling faster threat detection

and resolution, reducing operational costs, and integrating seamlessly within minutes. Backed by a leadership team with experience from Fortune 500 companies and global technology leaders, COGNNA is positioning itself as a key player in the $500 billion cybersecurity market projected for 2030. Investors share this confidence, with Impact46 praising the company’s technical depth and agentic AI capabilities, and Vision Ventures highlighting its ability to address real operational gaps in the region. Together, these endorsements underscore COGNNA’s potential to evolve from a regional innovator into a global cybersecurity leader.

Clover Security Raises $36M to Redefine Product Security for the AI Era

Cybersecurity startup Clover Security announced $36 million in funding to secure the AI-native product wave. The company’s funding round was led by Notable Capital and Team8 with participation from SVCI. Clover Security is also backed by industry heavyweights, including Wiz co-founders Assaf Rappaport and Yinon Costica, Shlomo Kramer of Cato Networks, Rene Bonvanie, and executives from Snyk, CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Atlassian, and Google.

AI is transforming software development, making it faster and more complex than ever. But most security tooling still focuses on detecting vulnerabilities after they’ve already been introduced.

Clover flips that model by embedding AI agents into tools like Confluence, Jira, GitHub, Cursor, and Slack to detect design flaws early and enable developers to build securely from the start. Its AI agents replicate the

thinking of experienced security engineers, understand how systems behave, anticipate where security flaws can show up, and apply security principles long before development begins. As a result, security teams are relieved from repetitive manual work, while developers receive real-time security feedback within their everyday workflows.

“Existing security tools are reactive, forcing teams to fight fires instead of preventing them.” said Alon Kollmann, Co-Founder and CEO of Clover. “In today’s world of AI-native development, that model no longer works. Teams are moving faster and building more than ever. Security teams are left alone to manage unprecedented complexity. Clover changes that by helping product security teams scale by working where products start, in design.”

Clover is already deployed at dozens of companies across banking, enterprise technology, and fintech, including Fortune 500 companies. Its customer base includes Udemy, ServiceTitan, Lemonade, PROS, and Virgin Money.

“It’s rare to see a security startup reach millions in ARR while operating in stealth,” says Oren Yunger, Managing Partner at Notable Capital. “That kind of growth doesn’t happen by chance. Clover is not just keeping up with the AInative era, but delivering the security foundation this generation of software needs.”

“As a product security leader, my biggest challenge has always been scale,” says Iain Mulholland, Cloud CISO at Google Cloud and an advisor to Clover . “There are never enough security engineers. Clover’s design-led approach to product security really excites me because it directly tackles that challenge.”

Saudi Startup, Strataphy Raises $6 Million to Offer Cooling Solutions for AI Infrastructure

Strataphy, a deep-tech company pioneering next-generation cooling solutions for AI and industrial infrastructure, has raised $6 million in seed funding. The round was led by Outliers VC and Shorooq Partners, with participation from PlusVC (+VC).

The funding will accelerate Strataphy’s proprietary technology, expand its fullservice stack, and grow engineering and operations teams to support deployments across giga-projects, industrial facilities, and hyperscale data centers in MENA and beyond.

Cooling has become one of the biggest constraints on hyperscale expansion and industrial growth, particularly in hot-climate regions where it consumes nearly half of total electricity use. The Middle East represents one of the largest and fastest-growing cooling markets globally, valued at more than $120 billion annually, including $13 billion in Saudi Arabia alone.

SPhotonix Secures

Strataphy’s platform, powered by its PrimeLoop subsurface technology, introduces a fundamentally new approach by harnessing deep, stable thermal energy to cool infrastructure with significantly lower power requirements. This enables facilities such as data centers to reduce energy intensity, cut operating costs, and meet surging demand for efficient cooling.

Dr. Ammar Alali, co-founder and CEO of Strataphy, emphasized the urgency of innovation: “AI and industrial infrastructure are scaling faster than the systems that keep them cool. Cooling has quietly outpaced semiconductors and servers as the largest driver of hardware spending since 2022. Our mission is to build the backbone for next-generation cooling— scalable, reliable, and cost-efficient.”

Alali, who holds a PhD from MIT, co-founded Strataphy with Ahmed Alhani. Together, they bring over 15 years of experience at Saudi Aramco and other ventures, specializing in subsurface exploration, geothermal systems, and energy optimization.

Strataphy’s clients include NEOM, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Tabreed, Enersol, ADNOC Drilling, and Alpha Dhabi Holdings. Its Cooling-as-a-Service model shifts geothermal cooling from a capital expense to a predictable operating cost, enabling organizations to adopt advanced systems with minimal upfront investment. Demonstrations have shown electricity cost reductions of up to 49% compared to conventional cooling.

Outliers VC’s Mohammed Almeshekah described cooling as “one of the most overlooked opportunities in infrastructure transformation,” while Shorooq’s Shane Shin called it “the hidden backbone of the AI and industrial revolution.” Both investors underscored Strataphy’s role in reshaping energy, environment, and infrastructure for the next decade of innovation.

$4.5 Million to Resolve challenges in deploying data center storage

SPhotonix, a fast-growing deep tech start-up, has successfully closed an oversubscribed $4.5 million pre-seed round led by Creator Fund and XTX Ventures, the venture capital arm of XTX Markets, with participation from prominent angel investors. This milestone comes just 14 months after SPhotonix CSO, Prof. Peter Kazansky, revealed groundbreaking demonstrations of the company’s 5D Memory Crystal technology, including preserving the human genome (15 GB) for billions of years and storing the entire Wikipedia in a small crystal. The funding will enable SPhotonix to scale its photonics and engineering teams, expand commercial execution, and meet rising demand for its two core

applications in advanced optics and data storage.

CEO Ilya Kazansky commented: “We are delighted to partner with Creator Fund, XTX Ventures, and others as we scale rapidly to address growing opportunities. Our Swiss-based R&D lab is now fully operational, staffed with world-leading experts, and our investors are aligned with our vision to make data storage scalable, durable, and costefficient for future generations.”

SPhotonix’s proprietary FemtoEtch technology is already applied in fused silica optics across industries such as microscopy, aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing, and high-power lasers. For data storage, the company is targeting cloud and archival use cases, addressing a market projected to exceed $400 billion by 2030. With global data generation up 133% in the past four years, SPhotonix’s optical solutions offer a sustainable alternative to legacy systems.

The funding will accelerate innovation through final TRL stages, enabling deployment of writable and rewritable 5D optical systems in earth and space-borne data centers. It also allows SPhotonix to capitalize on strong interest from hyperscalers and corporate partners, with new collaborations to be announced soon.

Alexandra Ntemourtsidou, General Partner at Creator Fund, said: “Peter and Ilya combine deep technical rigor with commercial focus. We are thrilled to back their mission to bring 5D optical memory technology to market.”

Gabriele Papievyte, Head of XTX Ventures, added: “SPhotonix is redefining data storage and advanced optics. We are excited to support their journey from lab to market.”

Over the past year, SPhotonix has delivered precision test targets to global R&D labs and gained recognition as an innovator in photonics and data storage. Its 5D optical laser fusion technology has now transitioned from proven research into full commercialization.

Celebrating Women Achievers

Celebrating Women Achievers

Celebrating Women Achievers

Honoring Their Contributions to Society

Honoring Their Contributions to Society

Honoring Their Contributions to Society

Empowering Women. Inspiring Change.

Creating The Future.

MELWIN DSOUZA

FOUNDER AND CEO OF SECURENET DISTRIBUTION

“SecureNet maintains a culture of excellence that drives consistent growth, partner satisfaction, and operational resilience.”

SECURENET DRIVING TRUST

TECHNOLOGY, AND TRANSFORMATION

Melwin Dsouza, Founder and CEO of SecureNet Distribution, explains that the company empowers Middle East businesses with trusted, service-driven cybersecurity, networking, and cloud solutions, fostering digital transformation and partner success.

How has SecureNet’s journey evolved since its inception, and how has the company grown in recent years?

SecureNet’s evolution is a story defined by strategic clarity, disciplined execution, and a strong commitment to elevating the cybersecurity and networking landscape across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. What began as a focused distribution venture has quickly grown into a value-driven organization recognized for its technical depth, execution speed, and partnerfirst mindset. Over the past few years, SecureNet has significantly expanded its vendor ecosystem, strengthened its engineering capabilities, and cultivated a reputation for solving real customer challenges with precision and agility. This growth is not merely quantitative; it reflects a vision of becoming a strategic enabler for digital transformation across the region.

From its earliest days, SecureNet operated with the understanding that the Middle East required more than broad distribution networks. The region needed a specialized, service-led model capable of addressing the complexities of hybrid infrastructures, cloud adoption, and ever-evolving cybersecurity threats. Today, that philosophy is evident in how the company functions: not just as a distributor, but as a trusted advisor to resellers, systems integrators, and enterprise clients who demand reliable guidance and seamless access to modern, resilient technologies. SecureNet has positioned itself at the intersection of technology and service, enabling partners to respond quickly to the region’s fast-paced IT environment.

What is SecureNet’s long-term vision for infrastructure, cybersecurity, and networking distribution across the MEA region?

SecureNet’s long-term vision extends far beyond the simple delivery of products. The company aspires to become the region’s most reliable and service-led value-added distributor, facilitating secure digital transformation. While its current footprint spans the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, SecureNet envisions a broader reach

across the entire Middle East and Africa. The organization aims to empower partners with scalable solutions that support modernization, cloudfirst strategies, and increasingly critical cyber resilience frameworks.

Central to this vision is the aspiration to act as a true ecosystem enabler—an organization that anticipates market shifts, accelerates partner growth, and helps enterprises transition to a cloud-connected, AI-driven world. This goal reflects a deep understanding of the current enterprise landscape, where companies face rapidly evolving cyber threats, tight budgets, and an urgent need for digital continuity. By bridging the gap between global technologies and regional demand, SecureNet positions itself as a strategic partner that provides actionable solutions while driving measurable business outcomes.

With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, how is SecureNet helping enterprises and SMEs stay ahead?

Cybersecurity has become increasingly complex, with threats growing more automated, persistent, and sophisticated. SecureNet adopts a proactive philosophy, emphasizing anticipation, mitigation, and preparation rather than reactive responses. The company collaborates with leading cybersecurity vendors, blending their capabilities with its own in-house technical expertise. This combination allows SecureNet to deliver continuous partner training, real-time threat intelligence, and security frameworks tailored to both enterprise and SME environments.

The company’s technical teams work to ensure that clients benefit from a complete security lifecycle encompassing prevention, detection, response, and recovery across endpoints, networks, cloud workloads, and applications. By emphasizing automation, AI-driven analytics, and predictive threat monitoring, SecureNet helps partners achieve enhanced resilience while reducing operational complexity. Organizations supported by SecureNet are better equipped to respond to emerging threats swiftly, protect their digital assets, and maintain business continuity,

even in high-risk sectors.

Can you share examples of innovative solutions SecureNet is introducing to the market?

Innovation is central to SecureNet’s mission, and the company continues to introduce solutions designed to address pressing regional gaps in cybersecurity and IT infrastructure. Among the key offerings are AI-driven threat detection and response platforms, which allow organizations to anticipate and neutralize threats before they escalate. SecureNet also delivers Zero Trust secure access frameworks, enabling distributed workforces to maintain high levels of security without compromising performance. Cloudmanaged networking solutions enhance operational efficiency, reliability, and scalability, while unified identity and device management platforms simplify IT administration across hybrid environments.

In addition, SecureNet is committed to democratizing cybersecurity for SMEs through cost-effective bundles. These offerings provide enterprise-grade protection while minimizing the complexity and overhead traditionally associated with deploying such solutions. Every solution introduced by SecureNet is evaluated for tangible impact, ensuring that it addresses real customer challenges, supports operational efficiency, and contributes to long-term digital transformation goals.

How does SecureNet balance hardware and software distribution with valueadded services?

While distributing hardware and software forms the foundation of SecureNet’s operations, the company’s value lies in its service-led approach. SecureNet believes that technology alone is insufficient to deliver meaningful outcomes. Partners and clients require guidance, training, and integration support to maximize the value of deployed solutions. To address this need, SecureNet offers a comprehensive portfolio of services, including pre-sales consulting, solution design, technical

enablement, certification programs, deployment support, and post-sales assistance.

This service-oriented approach ensures that partners receive not just products, but complete, integrated solutions with clearly defined implementation pathways. By providing end-to-end support, SecureNet differentiates itself from traditional distributors and positions itself as a trusted advisor. Partners are empowered to deliver measurable results, reduce deployment risks, and achieve transformation goals for their clients.

You emphasize resellers as business partners—how does SecureNet nurture these relationships?

SecureNet regards resellers as central to its success. The company invests heavily in nurturing these relationships through transparent communication, joint marketing initiatives, rapid support, reliable delivery, and dedicated account management in each operating country. Continuous training and certification programs are designed to enhance resellers’ technical and sales capabilities, enabling them to differentiate themselves in a competitive landscape.

This partner-first approach reflects a simple but powerful principle: SecureNet grows only when its partners grow. By fostering trust, providing access to expertise, and ensuring partners can deliver high-value solutions, SecureNet strengthens its own ecosystem and reinforces long-term

loyalty. This culture of collaboration has become a defining feature of the company’s operations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.

What role do global brand partnerships play in SecureNet’s strategy?

SecureNet’s alliances with leading global technology brands form a cornerstone of its regional strategy. By collaborating with top cybersecurity, networking, and IT infrastructure vendors, SecureNet ensures that Middle Eastern businesses have access to world-class solutions tailored to local requirements. These partnerships allow SecureNet to introduce advanced technologies, including AI-powered cybersecurity engines, software-defined networking, and secure cloud access, while providing localized training, implementation support, and post-sales service.

The company’s value lies not merely in distributing these technologies but in contextualizing and delivering them to meet specific regional demands. By combining global expertise with local execution, SecureNet bridges the gap between innovation and adoption, empowering partners and clients to implement robust, futureready IT environments efficiently.

Your mantra is ‘Our People, Our Customers, Our Business.’ How does this guide SecureNet’s operations?

This mantra encapsulates the company’s core phi-

losophy. SecureNet prioritizes the development and empowerment of its team, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge to deliver exceptional results. At the same time, the company remains committed to providing unparalleled service and value to customers, emphasizing trust, integrity, and long-term collaboration. By grounding its decisions in these principles, SecureNet maintains a culture of excellence that drives consistent growth, partner satisfaction, and operational resilience.

Which upcoming trends in cybersecurity, networking, and IT infrastructure excite SecureNet most?

SecureNet is focused on technologies that will define the next decade of digital transformation. The company is particularly enthusiastic about AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, which enhance predictive threat detection and automated response. The adoption of Zero Trust models is accelerating, providing stronger protection for increasingly distributed and hybrid workforces. Cloud-managed and software-defined networking is gaining traction, offering scalability and efficiency, while IoT security solutions are becoming essential for smart city initiatives, industrial automation, and connected environments.

To lead in these areas, SecureNet continues to expand its vendor ecosystem and invest in technical expertise, ensuring that partners across the Middle East have access to the latest solutions and knowledgeable support. By staying ahead of technological trends, SecureNet enables clients and resellers to build resilient, future-proof infrastructures.

What is SecureNet’s roadmap for growth over the next two to three years?

The company’s roadmap emphasizes scalability, specialization, and regional expansion. Over the next two to three years, SecureNet plans to strengthen its footprint across the GCC, broaden its cybersecurity and networking vendor portfolio, and establish dedicated service units focused on consulting, implementation, and managed services. Investments in partner enablement programs, digital engagement platforms, and marketing initiatives will accelerate joint growth and create new revenue streams.

Ultimately, SecureNet aims to become the preferred value-added distributor in the MEA region, delivering not just technology but trust, transformation, and measurable business impact. By integrating global innovation with regional expertise, SecureNet is positioned to drive sustainable growth for its partners and clients, supporting a more secure, connected, and digitally empowered Middle East.

Marketing Director at ASBIS Middle East

“By combining marketing support with technical expertise, we empower partners to expand market share.”

How is ASBIS planning to position its brand as it expands into Africa?

ASBIS is expanding into Africa with a focused strategy to build a strong and trusted presence across key markets. As the continent accelerates its digital transformation, demand for cloud, cybersecurity, infrastructure modernization, and advanced computing continues to rise. Our efforts are centered on North Africa and the West and Central Africa (WECA) region, where organizations increasingly seek dependable access to global technology solutions.

A major step in this direction was our participation in GITEX Nigeria 2025, which allowed us to engage directly with governments, enterprises, and partners as the event made its debut in the country. We are now preparing to open operations in Ghana and Ivory Coast—two fast-growing digital hubs that will anchor our West African growth. We also plan to participate in AI Everything MEA Egypt 2026 to deepen engagement and support regional transformation initiatives.

More than a distributor, ASBIS aims to be a partner that understands local ecosystems and business realities. Guided by our “Success Through Focus” philosophy, we are strengthening logistics, improving product availability, expanding global brand reach, and equipping partners with the training and support needed to scale effectively.

What are your key marketing priorities for 2026 across the Middle East and Africa?

ASBIS STRENGTHENS REGIONAL FOOTPRINT WITH STRATEGIC MARKETING DRIVE

Faraz Ali Khan, Marketing Director at ASBIS Middle East, explains that the company is accelerating growth across the Middle East and Africa through localized campaigns, partner enablement, and a strategic focus on AI, gaming, and robotics.

In 2026, we want to elevate our brand presence and reinforce partner support across the Middle East and Africa. We are concentrating on high-growth areas such as AI, cloud, cybersecurity, gaming, and robotics — technologies that are shaping national agendas and enterprise strategies.

A major priority for us is strengthening digital engagement. We will boost visibility through localized content, targeted online campaigns, and stronger presence on regional platforms. Another focus is expanding in-country activities, including partner gatherings, workshops, and customercentric initiatives tailored to each market’s maturity. Our goal is simple: deepen trust, enhance relevance, and ensure our solutions resonate locally rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

How do you promote such a diverse technology portfolio across multiple markets?

Managing a broad product mix requires a flexible, category-specific approach. We tailor messaging for each audience—whether gamers, enterprise IT teams, retail consumers, channel partners, or public-sector customers—ensuring every campaign is clear, relevant, and aligned with local expectations.

Our strategy combines targeted promotions, digital storytelling, product training, and regionally adapted communication. While maintaining the global identity of the brands we represent, we customize content to match cultural nuances and market maturity, achieving consistent yet locally effective engagement.

What role do events like GITEX and AI Everything MEA play in your marketing strategy?

Regional exhibitions and trade shows remain vital to our marketing and partner engagement. Events such as GITEX and AI Everything MEA Egypt 2026 provide powerful platforms to meet customers face-to-face, showcase new technologies, and identify emerging trends.

These events also support visibility for newly onboarded vendors and serve as launchpads for new solutions across infrastructure, AI, security, cloud, and robotics. The direct conversations and feedback we gather help shape future campaigns, content strategy, and product roadmaps. In regions where personal interaction remains key to doing business, these exhibitions reinforce trust and strengthen long-term relationships.

How is ASBIS supporting partners through marketing and enablement initiatives?

Partner enablement is at the core of our strategy. We invest in skill development and joint growth through workshops, training, certifications, roadshows, branding, and co-marketing programs. Partners benefit from regular updates on products, market trends, and regional demand, enabling smarter decisions and new opportunities.

By combining marketing support with technical expertise, we empower partners to expand market share, diversify customers, and remain competitive in fast-evolving sectors.

How are you adapting your marketing approach to growing segments like gaming and robotics?

We are reshaping our marketing strategy to meet the rapid rise of gaming and robotics across the region. In gaming, we emphasize lifestyle-driven content, community engagement, and youthfocused campaigns. With a strong portfolio including AMD, Intel, Razer, Cooler Master, Moza Racing, Logitech, and Lorgar, we serve both competitive gamers and mainstream consumers.

In robotics, our AROS division delivers collaborative and industrial automation solutions, supporting demand in logistics, retail, and manufacturing. Across both categories, digital outreach and ecosystem partnerships drive adoption and strengthen market awareness in the Middle East and Africa.

WELCOME TO THE NEW ERA: HPE PARTNER READY VANTAGE

Simon Ewington, SVP of Worldwide Channel & Partner Ecosystem at HPE, explains how the new unified Partner Ready Vantage Program simplifies partner engagement across Compute, Hybrid Cloud, and Networking, introduces the elite Triple Platinum Plus tier, and expands resale and services opportunities to accelerate partner growth.

The channel is evolving, and so is HPE. I’m excited to introduce the first phase of our newly unified HPE Partner Ready Vantage Program, a transformation designed to empower our partners and simplify engagement across our full portfolio.

The HPE Partner Ready Vantage Program

marks a critical step in our journey to unify and modernize how partners interact with HPE. Partners will benefit from a fully integrated enrollment experience, expanded products and services resale all accessible under one program, and the debut of our exclusive Triple Platinum Plus program for those with cross-portfolio expertise.

As we retire legacy programs, we’re making way

SIMON EWINGTON

SVP of Worldwide Channel & Partner Ecosystem at HPE

“The program is intended to accelerate partner success by supporting both generalists and specialists.”

for a single, streamlined experience that brings together Compute, Hybrid Cloud, and Networking under one roof. This is just the beginning. In 2026 and 2027, we’ll continue to integrate additional programs, including the Juniper Networks Partner Advantage program, into one HPE partner program for the channel.

What’s New?

As of November 1, the start of HPE’s Fiscal Year, we’re introducing three new Centers— Compute, Hybrid Cloud, and Networking— while retiring the As-a-service Center and integrating its competencies into the new Sell Track.

The Triple Platinum Plus program is an exclusive recognition within the HPE Partner Ready Vantage framework, reserved specifically for partners who demonstrate pan-HPE expertise across Compute, Hybrid Cloud, and Networking and fulfill the eligibility criteria. This program rewards partners who excel in multiple technology areas, enabling them to access expanded benefits and growth opportunities.

The program is intended to accelerate partner success by supporting both generalists and specialists, offering incentives for competency and facilitating rapid advancement within the HPE ecosystem. Through this initiative, HPE under-

scores its commitment to fostering partner growth and differentiation in a competitive market.

As part of this change, several partner programs have retired and transitioned to HPE Partner Ready Vantage. These include HPE Partner Ready, HPE Partner Ready for Networking, HPE Partner Ready for Services, HPE Partner Ready Service Provider, and HPE Partner Ready for Networking: Partner Branded Support.

Sell Track: Built for Partner Success

HPE Partner Ready Vantage reflects the best of our award-winning programs, shaped by partner input. The Sell Track aligns with diverse business models, supports various engagement styles, and accelerates profitability. Partners can deliver products and services their way with a flexible framework designed for growth.

The Sell Track enhances partner readiness with modular training and certification aligned to each technology center. Expanded competencies help partners build specialized expertise based on their choice and stand out in competitive markets.

Partners can now resell the entire HPE portfolio through one program membership, whether via OpEx as-a-service models like HPE GreenLake Flex or traditional CapEx offerings. Dedicated

centers for Compute, Hybrid Cloud, and Networking support focused specialization and open doors to broader growth.

Service Track: Unified Access, Flexible Engagement

We unified our HPE Service Track Centers: Managed Services, Professional Services, Support Services, and Customer Success, with two practice areas: Data Center & Private Cloud, and Networking. The Service Track integrates seamlessly with Sell Track, offering standardized capability assessments and streamlined tracking.

The Service Track is now integrated with the Sell Track for easy engagement, easy to understand HPE value proposition and opportunities, and is tailored for Services-based partners to deliver how they want. It offers simplified parter experience to offer services across Compute, Hybrid Cloud and Networking, as well as standardized partner capability assessments, partner thresholds, and streamlined tracking. The Service Track also provides tools, training, guidance, recognition and financial benefits all designed to enhance the partner experience.

Same Commitment, Maximum Opportunity

Partners will continue to enjoy the valuable benefits they receive today from HPE, now with the added advantage of maximizing those benefits more easily through a single, unified program. The new framework enables partners to achieve expertise quickly and resell across all three Sell Track Centers while also building out Services practices based on HPE innovation to deliver however partners choose, under their brand, the HPE brand or both. We’ll be rolling out more details, particularly around the Build Track, toward the end of FY26, so stay tuned!

HPE’s Partner Ready Vantage Program represents a forward-looking approach to channel collaboration, offering unified access, streamlined processes, and expanded opportunities for growth and specialization. This initiative reflects HPE’s commitment to supporting its partners and driving customer success in a rapidly changing technology landscape. We’re committed to continuously enhance the program, including integration of HPE Juniper Networking into HPE Partner Ready Vantage in FY27. The path ahead for HPE and our partners is unified, empowered, and primed for growth, and we’re excited to shape it together.

HOW TECH VENDORS AND DISTRIBUTORS ARE REINVENTING CHANNEL STRATEGY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Middle East tech vendors and distributors are reinventing channel strategies with AI, cloud, and outcomedriven models, transforming partners into strategic advisors delivering measurable value in a digital-first economy.

The Middle East’s technology channel is undergoing one of its most profound transformations in decades. Digitalfirst buying accelerates, AI reshapes enterprise priorities, and hybrid cloud disrupts traditional architectures. Vendors and distributors across the region are rewriting the rules of partner engagement, adapting to a landscape where agility, specialization, and measurable outcomes determine success.

From cybersecurity to storage, networking to cloud platforms, the region’s channel leaders agree

on one thing: the old partner model is no longer enough. Today, customers demand speed, simplicity, and tangible business results. Partners seek higher margins, deeper expertise, and recurring revenue streams. Vendors must rethink how to enable, incentivize, and differentiate their ecosystems in a highly competitive, rapidly modernizing market.

Across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider region, vendors are responding with AI-enabled partner programs, cloud-integrated marketplaces, outcome-based engagement models, advanced

training frameworks, and more localized support than ever before. The result is a channel ecosystem that is more data-driven, service-oriented, and strategically aligned than at any stage in the past decade.

This feature unpacks how leading vendors and distributors are reinventing channel dynamics for 2025 and beyond.

AI, Cloud, and a New Digital Buyer: The Catalysts Reshaping the Channel

The Middle East’s digital economy continues to

juncture, reshaping customer expectations and compelling vendors to rethink how they support and engage their channel partners.

F5: Enabling Partners for AI-Driven Application Security

Mustapha Hlil, Channel Director for Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, notes, “AI has been around for some time, but it has now reached a stage of maturity where customers are seriously assessing and addressing how to secure AI workloads. Our ADSP Partner Program is designed to help partners navigate these complexities by offering validated, integrated solutions tailored for modern IT challenges. By providing both technical guidance and business enablement, we empower partners to embed F5 solutions across AI-driven projects and multicloud architectures. Our approach ensures partners remain competitive, deliver measurable value to customers, and gain recognition as trusted advisors in AI, cybersecurity, and application delivery. Ultimately, this strengthens partner loyalty and drives long-term profitability in a rapidly evolving landscape.”

AmiViz: Data-Driven Distribution and AI-Powered Engagement

Ilyas Mohammed, COO, highlights the company’s customer-first, analytics-driven approach: “We place customer expectations, digital convenience, and AI-driven insights at the core of our model. Our Cyber & AI Enabler strategy, Customer Experience Center, and Vendor Extension Model help partners deliver integrated demos, improve proposal quality, and strengthen deal conversions. Rising competition and tight margins make technical mastery the differentiator. We empower partners with expertise — through hands-on technical enablement, faster deal support, and AI-driven tools that improve quality and speed. By combining predictive analytics, automation, and consultative support, partners can scale solutions efficiently, deliver measurable value, and maintain profitability. This approach ensures that partners are not just resellers but strategic advisors who drive innovation and success for enterprise customers across the Middle East.”

on value creation, not volume — encouraging recurring services and outcome-based delivery. We provide extensive enablement, technical resources, and structured incentives, helping partners differentiate in a crowded cybersecurity market. By embedding AI-driven insights into service delivery, partners can predict threats, optimize security operations, and deliver measurable outcomes. This approach strengthens trust, builds loyalty, and enables long-term profitability while ensuring enterprise clients receive holistic protection in increasingly complex hybrid environments.”

Fortinet: Hyper-Local Engagement and Integrated Security Platforms

Shane Grennan, Senior Director - Partner Sales & Business Development, Middle East, notes: “Our strategy emphasizes regional proximity and platform consolidation. With a strong local presence, we provide on-ground support to partners, enabling them to respond swiftly to emerging threats. Collaboration with marketplace providers, including hyperscalers and distributors, ensures customers can purchase solutions seamlessly. Our integrated

expand at a breakneck pace. Cloud adoption has skyrocketed, AI workloads are becoming mainstream, and enterprises expect vendors and partners to deliver real-time value. Digital marketplaces, subscription models, and automated service experiences are now the new standard. Channel programs are shifting from transaction-led to value-led, from hardware-first to platform-first, and from reselling to co-delivering outcomes. AI adoption has also reached a critical

Check Point: Scaling Prevention-First Cybersecurity Through Partners

Prashant Menon, Channel Leader UAE, elaborates: “The region’s hybrid environments require consistent, AI-driven security outcomes. We are expanding MSSP and reseller engagement, simplifying onboarding, and offering AI-powered prevention through the Infinity Platform. Customers increasingly demand measurable results, so we reward partners based

CHANNEL LEADER UAE AT CHECK

security platforms reduce vendor complexity, increase operational efficiency, and strengthen cybersecurity outcomes. By equipping partners with training, marketing support, and local insights, we enable them to deliver value-driven solutions, differentiate themselves, and maintain profitability. This approach empowers partners to thrive in a competitive landscape while ensuring customers benefit from unified, high-quality security architectures.”*

Western Digital: Digital-First Storage with Local Intelligence

Owais Mohammed, Regional Lead & Sales Director IMEA, explains: “Our digital-first go-to-market strategy focuses on real-time alignment with demand. Tailored promotions, data-driven planning, and targeted enablement help partners respond quickly and consistently. Cost pressures and grey-market challenges are mitigated through structured programs, transparent collaboration, and incentive schemes. By integrating localized content, enhanced portals, and proactive engagement, we enable partners to deliver scalable, high-quality storage solutions. This ensures partners maintain profitability,

SHANE GRENNAN

SENIOR DIRECTOR - PARTNER SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, MIDDLE EAST, FORTINET

strengthen customer relationships, and differentiate themselves in a market increasingly reliant on cloud, AI, and hybrid storage models.”

HP: Future-Ready AI, Managed Services, and Sustainability

Narayanan Venkataraman, Head of Channel - Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Africa, says: “We empower partners through the HP Future Ready AI MasterClass and enhanced managed services, and personalized digital buying experiences designed for today’s hybrid, digital-first customers. Our strategy emphasizes AI-enabled platforms, local fulfillment, and insight-driven engagement to help partners stay agile and competitive. With embedded security powered by HP Wolf Security, sustainability support through the Amplify Impact program, and flexible financing options, we enable partners to differentiate effectively in the market. Structured training, tailored sales tools, and simplified support packages ensure partners can deliver scalable, high-impact solutions that drive customer satisfaction, profitability, and long-term growth.”

NetApp: AI-Enabled Data Insights and

MAHER FARAH

REGIONAL LEAD & SALES DIRECTOR

AT WESTERN DIGITAL

Partner Competency Development

Maher Farah, Regional Channel Sales Manager - UAE and Africa, explains: “We leverage AI-driven insights to understand customer preferences and implement tailored strategies with our partners. NetApp’s Partner Sphere program focuses on specialization in cloud, analytics, and AI — high-growth areas critical for differentiation. Structured training, technical enablement, and advisory support empower partners to deliver enterprise solutions confidently. This combination strengthens partner loyalty, scales solution deployment, and ensures profitability. By co-developing strategies, embedding AI capabilities, and providing market insights, NetApp ensures partners can meet complex enterprise demands, adapt to changing technology trends, and remain competitive while delivering tangible business outcomes.”

Riverbed: Subscription-Led GTM and Local SaaS in Saudi Arabia

Ghassan Abou Rjeily, Sr. Manager - Channel Sales & Alliances - GCC, notes: “Cloud and subscription services now dominate enterprise IT. Our Saudi SaaS instance ensures compliance

and sovereignty, providing predictable recurring revenue streams for partners. Our revamped partner program focuses on ‘focused partners,’ offering deep privileges, training, and technical access. By adopting subscription-led engagement, enabling technical expertise, and fostering strategic collaboration, partners can deliver high-value solutions that scale efficiently. This approach not only drives profitability but positions partners as trusted advisors capable of supporting enterprises through cloud modernization, AI adoption, and ongoing digital transformation initiatives.”

CyberKnight: Speed, Advisory Value, and Unique Security Portfolio

Raship Chhabra, Regional Channel Manager – GCC, explains: “Our service-first approach prioritizes speed, advisory guidance, and comprehensive security solutions. Faster demos, POCs, and customized deployments allow partners to deliver end-to-end cybersecurity solutions. Structured enablement, co-marketing, and access to a broad portfolio ensure partners maintain profitability and differentiate themselves in the market. By combining technical support with advisory-led guidance, partners can scale opera-

tions, deliver measurable enterprise outcomes, and strengthen loyalty while ensuring customers receive innovative and reliable cybersecurity services in dynamic environments.”

Seagate Technology: Omnichannel Storage and Cloud Marketplace Readiness Mohit Pandey, Head of Sales, META, notes: “We are enhancing omnichannel experiences with localized solutions and agile fulfillment models. Marketplace integration, certification programs, and joint go-to-market initiatives enable partners to respond quickly to customer demands. By providing real-time analytics and solution accelerators, we help partners differentiate, improve operational efficiency, and maintain profitability. This ensures they deliver value-driven storage solutions and cloud-enabled services, supporting enterprise digital transformation while meeting evolving market expectations across the Middle East.”

GBS: Cloud-First BIM and Digital Construction for Saudi Arabia’s Transformation

Binil Kumar, Practice Head, says: “Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, our strategy emphasizes cloud-first BIM and digital construction solutions. Partners are trained to deliver modern, efficient, and high-value outcomes. Over 60 Saudi engineers are being upskilled, ensuring workforce readiness and project excellence. By focusing on technical enablement, localized training, and digital tools, we help partners differentiate in construction and engineering solutions. This approach enables scalable delivery, strengthens customer relationships, and positions partners as strategic contributors to the region’s transformation agenda.”

Veeam Software: Marketplace Integration and Predictive Customer Experience

Kinda Baydoun, Lead EMEA Partner Organization, explains: “Marketplace integration, automation, and data-driven renewals are central to our strategy. By centralizing contracts, leveraging AI-driven processes, and offering structured incentives, partners gain efficiency and transparency. Technical enablement and joint business planning support solution deployment and

ABDULRAHMAN AL EIT

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, CODE81

scalability. Partners can drive recurring revenue, deliver measurable outcomes, and strengthen enterprise relationships. This approach ensures profitability, differentiation, and customer loyalty, enabling partners to thrive in a competitive, digital-first environment.”

Extreme Networks: AI Networking and Consumption-Driven Models

Sari Ayoub, Channel Manager MEA, notes: “AI-powered networking, unified management, and subscription-driven models position partners for enterprise transformation. Platforms like Extreme Platform ONE reduce complexity, improve efficiency, and enhance customer experiences. Subscription renewals, MSP-friendly billing, and specialized enablement allow partners to differentiate, scale operations, and maintain profitability. By embedding AI, technical training, and outcome-oriented engagement, partners deliver measurable network outcomes and build long-term loyalty.”

Infoblox: Outcome-Based Partnering and Cloud-Native DDI

Alexandre Nevraumont, Director Channel -

PHILIPPE JARRE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF MINDWARE

SAMER SEMAAN DIRECTOR OF DISTRIBUTION & ALLIANCES, MIDDLE EAST, TURKEY & AFRICA, PURE STORAGE

South Europe, Middle East & Africa, explains: “We focus on outcome-driven engagements with cloud-native integrations and advisoryled co-selling. Automated tools, transparent pipelines, and expert communities enhance partner enablement. Partners can scale services, deliver measurable enterprise outcomes, and differentiate themselves in complex networking environments. By combining technical enablement, advisory guidance, and automation, Infoblox empowers partners to maintain profitability while delivering value across hybrid and cloud-native networks.”

CODE81: Low-Code, AI-Enabled Partner Ecosystems

Abdulrahman Al Eit, Business Development Manager, notes: “Low-code, AI-driven development tools help partners deploy solutions 40% faster with up to 35% efficiency gains. Partnerships with Liferay, Camunda, and Moro Hub enable unified content, workflow, automation, and cloud capabilities. By combining speed, scalability, and AI-enabled tools, partners can differentiate, drive recurring revenue, and deliver measurable outcomes to enterprise customers. Structured enablement and advisory support further strengthen capabilities, enabling partners to scale solutions while maintaining profitability and competitiveness.”

Pure Storage: Automation, Real-Time Insights, and All-Flash Modernization

Samer Semaan, Director of Distribution & Alliances, Middle East, Turkey & Africa, explains: “Self-serve quoting, EDI ordering, and real-time partner dashboards allow partners to identify upsell and renewal opportunities. Our focus on cloud, AI, application modernization, and cyber resilience empowers partners to modernize legacy environments effectively. Technical bootcamps, digital enablement tools, and solution-oriented training further strengthen

capabilities. Partners can differentiate, scale operations, and deliver high-value outcomes. By combining automation with real-time insights and structured enablement, we help partners capture significant new opportunities and maintain long-term profitability.”

NVIDIA: Evolving AI Partnerships for Impactful Solutions

Marc Domenech, Regional Director, Enterprise, META, says: “Every NVIDIA partner brings unique strengths across AI software, applications, and infrastructure. The NVIDIA Partner Network evolves continuously with partner business models, competencies, and specializations. Partners are transforming into AI consultants and solution architects, supported with sales incentives, marketing funds, and knowledgesharing programs. Self-paced training, industryspecific curricula, masterclasses, and webinars ensure teams remain at the forefront of AI technology. This approach enables partners to deliver innovative, AI-driven solutions that meet enterprise demands, differentiate in competitive markets, and create measurable business impact, while strengthening long-term profitability and customer loyalty.”

Mindware: Digital-First Distribution with MAGIC Acceleration

Philippe Jarre, President & CEO, explains: “Traditional distribution is no longer sufficient. We focus on AI, cloud, and security solutions supported by MAGIC — Mindware’s Aggregation Gateway for Innovation & Collaboration. MAGIC accelerates sales cycles, drives profitable growth, and expands customer footprints. Over 70 pre-sales and technical consultants deliver certifications, solution support, and hands-on enablement. Partners benefit from enhanced digital marketplaces, analytics, and consultative support. This approach allows partners to scale solutions, differentiate offerings, and deliver

NASR GENERAL MANAGER – MIDDLE EAST AT

measurable enterprise outcomes while maintaining profitability in an increasingly competitive Middle East market.”

Acronis: AI-Powered Cyber Protection for Scalable Partner Success

Ziad Nasr, General Manager – Middle East, says: “We’ve shifted to a natively integrated platform for AI-driven cyber protection. Partners face tool sprawl, skill shortages, and compliance pressures, which we address through unified consumption models, technical enablement, and co-branded marketing. Programs such as Acronis Academy, Boot Camps, and hands-on simulations strengthen partner capabilities. Automation workflows in Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud streamline backup, disaster recovery, and incident response tasks. Partners can scale services without adding operational load, maintain profitability, and deliver measurable outcomes for enterprise customers, establishing themselves as trusted resilience providers in a highly competitive security market.”

BeyondTrust: Outcome-Driven Identity Security Partnerships

RAKESH PARBHOO EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA AT WESTCON-COMSTOR

ZAKHOUR DIRECTOR OF PARTNER ECOSYSTEM AT BEYONDTRUST

Maya Zakhour, Director of Partner Ecosystem, explains: “Customers demand holistic, outcomedriven identity security solutions. We simplify go-to-market strategies, strengthen partner specialization in identity security, and align with distributors to reach customers effectively. Partners lead conversations, implement highvalue solutions, and access structured training, advanced certifications, and co-marketing programs. Technical resources, proof-of-concept support, and incentive structures help partners deliver measurable outcomes while scaling operations efficiently. By enabling partners to differentiate, build trust, and drive profitability, we ensure they can deliver superior enterprise security services while maintaining long-term customer loyalty in a competitive environment.”

SolarWinds: Channel-Only, AI-Enabled Support

Abdul Rehman Tariq Butt, Regional Director - Middle East, notes: “The shift from ‘channelfirst’ to ‘channel-only’ means partners now own the complete customer outcome. AI enables automating tasks such as lead qualification, troubleshooting, and service management, improving efficiency and scalability. Customers trust partners who manage SLAs and consistently deliver results. SolarWinds supports partners through training, technical resources, and valuebased incentives. By embedding AI into service delivery, partners can maintain profitability, differentiate themselves, and provide measurable enterprise outcomes. This ecosystem-centric approach strengthens long-term loyalty and positions partners as trusted advisors capable of supporting complex digital and AI-driven initiatives.”

Westcon-Comstor: Data-Driven Enablement and Market Reach

Rakesh Parbhoo, Executive Vice President, Middle East and Africa, explains: “We lever-

age digital routes to market and data-driven insights to help partners meet evolving customer demands. Programs like Comstor’s Simplify EA enable enterprises to scale efficiently without managing multiple licenses. By equipping partners with high-margin solutions, specialist expertise, enablement programs, and marketing support, we help them differentiate, drive profitability, and deliver measurable business outcomes. This approach ensures partners can expand services, scale operations, and maintain long-term growth, while meeting the rapid pace of digital transformation across the Middle East.”

Conclusion: The Future of the Middle East Channel Ecosystem

The Middle East technology channel is at an inflection point. AI, cloud marketplaces, digitalfirst engagement, and outcome-driven models are reshaping how vendors, distributors, and partners operate. The companies featured here exemplify how embracing automation, technical enablement, advisory-led programs, and localized strategies can empower partners to deliver measurable enterprise outcomes, scale efficiently, and maintain profitability in a competitive environment.

Looking ahead, AI-enabled ecosystems, subscription-led engagement, and outcomefocused services will define success. Partners who evolve from resellers to strategic advisors will gain the most, leveraging advanced tools, specialized training, and integrated solutions to differentiate in increasingly crowded markets. For vendors, the imperative is clear: support, enable, and reward partners with programs that match the speed and complexity of enterprise expectations.

The Middle East channel is no longer just a route to market — it is a strategic, intelligent, and adaptive ecosystem, ready to deliver innovation, resilience, and measurable value to enterprises across the region.

WatchGuard Technologies Appoints Joe Smolarski as Chief Executive Officer

WatchGuard Technologies has announced the appointment of Joe Smolarski as Chief Executive Officer. Vats Srivatsan, who has served as interim CEO since May 2025, will continue contributing to the company as a member of the board of directors, advising on growth and strategy.

During his tenure as interim CEO, Vats reenergized innovation, strengthened operational execution, and accelerated AI adoption. He oversaw the modernization of WatchGuard’s hardware and software delivery model for partners, launched a major refresh of the network security portfolio, and delivered a record-setting third quarter in both performance and growth. These initiatives significantly lifted WatchGuard’s financial trajectory, expanded global market share, and increased momentum across its Unified Security Platform and MSP-focused business model.

Joe Smolarski brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across technology, operations, and strategy. Recognized as a results-driven, partner-centric operator, he has guided global organizations through transformation, scale, and integration. Most recently, Joe played a pivotal role at Kaseya, driving a ten-fold revenue increase and multi-billion-dollar valuation growth by uniting teams, technologies, and partners around

a customer-first platform vision. At WatchGuard, he will collaborate closely with the executive leadership team and board to advance strategic initiatives, operational excellence, and partner success.

Alex Slusky, Founding Partner of Vector Capi-

tal and Chairman of WatchGuard, commented: “I want to thank Vats for stepping in as interim CEO and delivering such rapid acceleration. I am pleased he will continue to guide future growth as a Board Member. In Joe, we have the right leader to build on this momentum. His proven track record of delivering phenomenal growth in MSP-focused technology organizations, combined with his ability to integrate teams and technologies at scale, makes him uniquely qualified to accelerate WatchGuard’s operational and innovation momentum.”

Joe’s experience at Kaseya, where he integrated more than a dozen acquisitions into a cohesive MSP platform, directly aligns with WatchGuard’s mission. The company’s Unified Security Platform combines advanced protection, automation, and simplified management to empower MSPs to deliver enterprise-grade security at scale.

“WatchGuard has an incredible foundation, a world-class technology platform, and an MSPfirst business model,” said Smolarski. “Cybersecurity is central to every MSP’s growth strategy, and WatchGuard is perfectly positioned to lead that evolution. I’m excited to build on this strong trajectory and make WatchGuard the cybersecurity vendor synonymous with the MSP community.”

Veeam Appoints Allison Cerra as Chief Marketing Officer

Veeam has announced the appointment of Allison Cerra as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), reporting directly to CEO Anand Eswaran. Cerra joins from Alkami Technology, where she has served as CMO since 2021. Her career includes senior leadership roles at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, McAfee, Intel, and Alcatel-Lucent, giving her a broad perspective across enterprise technology, cybersecurity, and cloud innovation.

“Allison understands the intersection of technology and trust,” said Eswaran. “She has built brands that connect deeply with customers and led teams that turn marketing into a growth engine. As Veeam enters its next phase of innovation—helping every organization trust its data to safely power AI—her leadership and clarity of purpose will help us tell that story to the world. Allison is the kind of leader who makes things simple, real, and powerful, and I couldn’t be more excited to welcome her.”

Cerra will lead Veeam’s global marketing organization, overseeing brand strategy, product marketing, demand generation, events, communications, and digital engagement. She steps

into the role as Veeam expands its mission to help enterprises safeguard and mobilize their data for the AI era, ensuring organizations can recover quickly, adapt faster, and turn resilience into competitive advantage.

She succeeds Rick Jackson, who is retiring after

a distinguished 40-year career, including threeand-a-half years as Veeam’s CMO. “Rick elevated Veeam’s brand and modernized how we show up for customers and partners,” Eswaran noted. “We are deeply grateful for his leadership and wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement.”

An award-winning marketer and futurist, Cerra thrives at the intersection of technology, culture, and commerce, translating emerging trends into growth strategies. At Alkami Technology, a fintech redefining digital banking for mid-market institutions, she led brand, demand, and customer engagement. At HPE, she drove a digital-first go-to-market transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and at McAfee, she re-established the company’s brand identity following its separation from Intel.

“In a world where AI is reshaping what’s possible, data resilience isn’t just protection—it’s permission to innovate,” said Cerra. “Veeam empowers organizations to trust their data completely, so they can move faster and with confidence. I’m thrilled to join the company defining resilience in the age of AI.”

OPSWAT Appoints Hussam Sidani as Vice President for MENA

OPSWAT has announced the appointment of cybersecurity veteran Hussam Sidani as Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, reinforcing its long-term commitment to a region where it sees significant opportunity to deliver value and support national digital ambitions. Sidani is widely recognized for elevating major cybersecurity organizations to leadership positions, a capability that comes at a pivotal moment as OPSWAT expands its regional presence.

In his new role, Sidani will shape and execute a strategy that builds on OPSWAT’s substantial investments in the region and strengthens its reputation as the go-to provider for critical infrastructure cybersecurity. His mandate includes accelerating local threat intelligence and research capabilities focused on MENA-specific risks, expanding Arabic-speaking technical support and customer success teams, enhancing professional services for deployment and optimization, and advancing OPSWAT Academy programs tailored to local regulatory and compliance requirements. The strategy also emphasizes cultivating a thriving ecosystem of certified partners and integrated solution providers dedicated to protecting critical infrastructure.

Sidani will report directly to James Neilson,

firms in the Middle East, noting his ability to understand local business nuances, respect cultural expectations, and ensure customers have access to in-region technical resources.

The appointment comes at a time when cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure are escalating. Governments across the region are advancing ambitious transformation agendas, while sectors such as energy, finance, telecommunications, transport, and healthcare accelerate digital adoption. This expansion has created a larger attack surface and heightened vulnerabilities in operational technology. Sidani’s mission will focus on bolstering cyber resilience across these highimpact sectors and ensuring global best practices are adapted to the unique threat landscape of MENA.

Reflecting on his appointment, Sidani emphasized that protecting critical infrastructure is where cybersecurity intersects with national security, economic stability, and public safety. He highlighted OPSWAT’s initiatives, including the region’s first critical infrastructure cyber protection lab, as evidence of its deep understanding of regional realities. With over 25 years of industry experience, Sidani said his goal is to protect the systems and services societies depend on.

Proofpoint Appoints Joyce Kim as Chief Marketing Officer

Proofpoint has named Joyce Kim as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), marking a key step in the company’s strategy to strengthen its global brand and expand its market presence. Reporting directly to CEO Sumit Dhawan, Kim will lead Proofpoint’s worldwide marketing and communications initiatives, with a focus on enhancing brand recognition, improving go-to-market execution, and driving demand generation across global markets.

Her appointment underscores Proofpoint’s commitment to accelerating growth and solidifying its position as a leader in securing the emerging agentic workspace. As organizations increasingly adopt AI technologies, the company is intensifying its innovation agenda to help customers confidently protect people, data, and intelligent agents across complex digital environments.

“Joyce brings a rare combination of brandbuilding expertise and cybersecurity acumen to accelerate our next phase as the defining leader in human and agent-centric security,” said Dhawan. “With a proven track record of scaling global marketing engines and a deep understanding of the C-suite buyer, Joyce’s experience and leadership

will be key to building our brand and momentum as the partner of choice for securing people, data, and AI agents.”

Kim brings extensive experience from senior marketing leadership roles at several high-profile

technology companies. Most recently, she was CMO at Zscaler, overseeing global marketing and communications. She has also held CMO positions at Twilio and Genesys, and prior leadership roles at Wrike, Arm, Google, and Microsoft. Beyond her executive work, Kim serves on the board of directors at Quicklogic Corporation and the nonprofit Bring Me A Book, affiliated with the Stanford Center on Early Childhood.

“AI is rewriting the rules of business, and security is the foundation that makes this transformation possible,” said Kim. “As CMO, my focus is to amplify Proofpoint’s leadership in data security and share our vision for how organizations can innovate safely in the age of AI. Together, we’ll show the world that trust—and the protection of people and data—is what fuels meaningful progress.”

With Kim at the helm of marketing, Proofpoint aims to strengthen its global positioning, accelerate demand generation, and communicate its unique approach to securing people, data, and AI agents—ensuring it remains the partner of choice for organizations navigating the evolving, AIdriven digital landscape.

CISCO, NTT DATA ADVANCE REGIONAL STRATEGY WITH CISCO 360 PROGRAM

Cisco’s next-generation partner framework aims to redefine value creation in the AI era, strengthen regional service capabilities, and accelerate customer outcomes across the Middle East through its long-standing alliance with NTT Data.

Cisco is preparing to launch the most significant overhaul of its partner ecosystem in more than thirty years with the introduction of the Cisco 360 Partner Program, a fully redesigned frame work that will officially roll out in January 2026. Announced globally in late 2025, the program marks a decisive shift in Cisco’s channel strategy as the company positions itself to support the explosive rise of artificial intelligence, the evolu tion of modern data centers, and the growing regional demand for cybersecurity, observability, cloud services and collaboration technologies. With the Middle East accelerating investment in AI-driven transformation, Cisco 360 arrives at a pivotal moment. And at the center of this regional momentum is Cisco’s long-time global partner NTT Data, whose advisory-led services, technical scale and deep local experience make it one of the most strategically aligned partners to support the program’s goals across the Middle East and Africa.

According to Cisco, the new framework is nothing short of historic. While the partner program has evolved many times over the past three decades, it has never undergone a complete redesign. Cisco officials argue that the shift was necessary because the company has transformed beyond its identity as a networking vendor. Cisco today spans security, collaboration, observability, AI, cloud, managed services and lifecycle value, and the previous framework was no longer able to reflect the expanded capabilities of partners or help customers understand the differentiated strengths they bring. The Cisco 360 program aims to solve this by aligning partner competencies directly with Cisco’s strategic pillars, which include AI-ready data centers, digital resilience and the future-proof workplace.

“OSAMA ELDEEB DESCRIBES CISCO 360 AS THE MOST IMPORTANT CHANNEL TRANSFORMATION THE COMPANY HAS EXECUTED IN THREE DECADES.”

For Osama Eldeeb, Cisco’s Regional Director for the Partner Organization across the Middle East, Africa, Turkey, Romania and the CIS region, the timing of the transformation is not only appropriate but essential. He describes Cisco 360 as the most important channel transformation the company has executed in three decades, explain-

ing that customer expectations have changed dramatically and partners need a model that enables deeper specialization, stronger lifecycle engagement and clearer market differentiation. He notes that customers today are not just purchasing technologies; they require partners who can ensure adoption, drive value realization and deliver measurable business outcomes. These expectations are even more pronounced in the Middle East, where organizations are aggressively deploying AI-led initiatives but face challenges around infrastructure readiness, data fragmentation, cybersecurity

and return on investment.

Eldeeb explains that one of the defining elements of the new program is its structural focus on specialization across Cisco’s technology domains. Instead of encouraging broad but shallow engagement, the program allows partners to build deep practices across key portfolios such as networking, security, cloud and AI, collaboration, observability and services. He emphasizes that the industry has moved away from transactional selling and toward lifecycle engagement, where delivering outcomes is more important than fulfilling

HANI NOFAL SVP AND REGIONAL HEAD, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA OF NTT DATA

“HANI NOFAL EXPLAINS THE NEW PROGRAM REWARDS PARTNERS WHO DELIVER REAL OUTCOMES, NOT THOSE WHO FOCUS SOLELY ON TRANSACTIONS. ”

hardware orders. In the context of AI adoption, this shift is particularly relevant. Cisco research shows that ninety-two percent of organizations in the Middle East plan to deploy AI agents, and forty percent expect to do so within the next year. At the same time, eighty-six percent require clear ROI before making large investments. The challenge, he says, is that many existing regional data centers were not designed for AI workloads. Running AI in traditional environments can degrade performance and disrupt business operations. As a result, customers need partners who understand how to build AI-ready architectures, and Cisco 360 provides the tools, frameworks and incentives to support these specialized engagements.

As Cisco evolves its ecosystem, its longstanding alliance with NTT Data stands out as a model of what the new program is designed to enable. The two companies have worked together for nearly thirty years, and their partnership has become one of the most strategic and mature alliances in the global technology landscape. Eldeeb describes the relationship as a “match made in heaven,” noting that one of the biggest challenges for any vendor is that technology often moves faster than the capability of its partners. In the case of NTT Data, he says this gap does not exist,

and the partner operates at the same speed as Cisco, supported by more than fourteen thousand technical resources worldwide. He emphasizes that NTT Data brings deep expertise across every Cisco portfolio, from networking to security to collaboration and AI-ready infrastructure, allowing both companies to jointly deliver highly complex transformation projects with consistency, agility and strategic alignment.

This alignment is particularly evident in the Middle East, where both organizations see enormous potential for AI modernization, secure networking, observability and next-generation data center transformation. According to Eldeeb, NTT Data was among the earliest partners globally to embrace the pre-qualification phase of the Cisco 360 program and is already operating at the top tier of all portfolios, even before the program’s formal introduction in January. He highlights NTT’s contractual engagement model, which focuses on delivering business outcomes rather than simply deploying technology, as perfectly aligned with the lifecycle and value-driven philosophy of the new Cisco program.

From NTT Data’s perspective, the Cisco 360 redesign is both timely and necessary. Hani Nofal, Senior Vice President and Regional Head for the

Middle East and Africa at NTT Data, explains that the former partner program was built for an era dominated by hardware sales and maintenance contracts. While it evolved over time, it did not reflect Cisco’s dramatic shift toward software, subscriptions, lifecycle engagement and services-led innovation. The new program, he says, rewards partners who deliver real outcomes, not those who focus solely on transactions. He points out that the nature of customer conversations has fundamentally changed. A security-led engagement requires a different approach than an AI-infrastructure conversation or an observability assessment, and clients prefer partners who can demonstrate deep specialization rather than broad generalist capabilities. The Cisco 360 framework formally recognizes and rewards that depth.

As organizations across the region confront an exponential rise in data volume, Nofal notes that the shortage of specialized skills has become a significant barrier to progress. He emphasizes that artificial intelligence cannot succeed without a mature and integrated data foundation, making domain expertise increasingly important. NTT Data invests significantly in technical capabilities, with more than 2,700 Cisco-certified engineers globally and hundreds across the Middle East and Africa. The company holds more than 2,400 Black Belt certifications across the region, underscoring its commitment to staying at the forefront of Cisco technologies. However, Nofal stresses that certifications alone are not enough; customers need partners who understand how data behaves in highly regulated sectors such as banking, healthcare, government and manufacturing. This is where NTT Data’s advisory-led approach, combined with Cisco’s technology leadership, allows the two companies to deliver transformation programs that are both secure and industry-aligned.

The joint Cisco–NTT approach, according to both executives, helps customers move beyond the buzzwords surrounding AI and into realworld use cases that deliver measurable business value. Eldeeb explains that when vendor and partner operate with complete alignment, customers experience differentiated value, clearer guidance and faster time-to-outcome. This collaboration model allows organizations to monetize their AI investments more effectively, adopt new architectures with greater confidence and accelerate their overall digital transformation journey.

Another major element of the Cisco 360 program is its revamped incentive structure, which significantly shifts the economics for partners. Eldeeb notes that ninety-eight percent of Cisco partners today offer value beyond resale, and sixty-seven percent deliver managed services, yet the previous program did not adequately reward these higher-value motions. Cisco 360

changes this by aligning incentives with lifecycle practices such as adoption, value realization, managed services and outcome delivery. He explains that partners who focus solely on resale will not see profitability improvements, but those who invest in specialized practices will experience significantly higher incentives and long-term revenue opportunities. When asked whether this will translate into better margins, Eldeeb states emphatically that partners who build the right expertise will absolutely see profitability gains.

Looking ahead, NTT Data sees significant opportunities to expand its collaboration with Cisco across three major strategic domains that align closely with the Cisco 360 vision. The first is infrastructure modernization, which Nofal describes as essential for preparing organizations for AI workloads. He notes that modernization is no longer about replacing equipment but about building tailored, service-led architectures aligned with industry needs and AI ambitions. The second opportunity lies in the development of secure AI factories—next-generation data centers capable of supporting AI-driven innovation at scale. NTT

Data is already working with Cisco on major initiatives across Europe, the Middle East and Africa to build these AI-ready environments. The third focus area is the evolution of AI-led services and software-defined infrastructure. NTT Data recently launched offerings that automate and optimize customer environments using AI-driven intelligence, fully aligned with Cisco’s lifecycle philosophy and designed to guarantee business outcomes rather than traditional uptime metrics. Nofal believes these three domains represent the future of enterprise transformation, and Cisco 360 provides the perfect foundation for delivering them at scale.

Nofal further added that they are already putting all the plans into action and “it’s not just talk.” He noted that NTT Data has around 6,000 data scientists globally and seven data and AI innovation centers. Together with Cisco, the company has co-invested in a new state-of-the-art showcase that will be launched next month in Munich during a joint event.

He also revealed that NTT Data is building an AI capability pod in France, and that he and

Osama are working closely to bring a similar pod to the region. “Hopefully, in the next few months, we’ll be able to share more details,” he said. “This is a real example of how we’re combining our global experience with Cisco’s investment in the new program to bring meaningful value to customers here.”

As Cisco prepares to officially launch Cisco 360 in January 2026, the channel industry is watching closely. The Middle East, in particular, is at the center of the program’s early momentum. The region’s rapid digitalization, national AI strategies, hyperscaler investments and enterprise modernization initiatives make it one of the most exciting markets for AI-driven transformation. With Cisco 360, the company is not only redefining how partners are recognized and incentivized but also reshaping how customer value will be delivered for the next decade. And with NTT Data as a strategically aligned global partner, Cisco enters 2026 with an ecosystem built for depth, specialization and lifecycle excellence—qualities that regional customers increasingly demand as they navigate the complexities of the AI era.

Cisco 360 is not a cosmetic update but a fundamental reimagining of how the channel operates. For customers, it promises faster time to value, stronger ROI and clearer pathways to AI adoption. For partners, it offers new economic opportunities—but only for those prepared to embrace specialization and services-led engagement. As the technology landscape continues to shift at a rapid pace, Cisco’s latest transformation may well set a new benchmark for what partner programs must deliver in the age of artificial intelligence.

THE UNKNOWN SECRET OF SUCCESSFUL STARTUPS

Prakash Krishnamurthy, Founder & CEO of Impetus Consultancy & Advisory, explains that startups succeed not through a single secret, but by combining strategy, persistence, innovation, and execution to turn ambitious dreams into meaningful, lasting business impact.

Do entrepreneurs who launch startups dream? Absolutely. Every startup begins as a fresh, exciting dream, deeply valuable to the entrepreneur who envisions their creation— whether a product, platform, or trading company—making a significant impact in the market. Founders invest immense energy, time, and focus, gradually building momen-

tum as their ideas take shape. Each new opportunity, visible through a screen or meeting, generates an adrenaline rush and excitement. Along the way, entrepreneurs revisit lessons in business, strategy, and leadership, applying them to their own models. Through this journey, they develop resilience, sharpen their focus, and adopt a “never give up” attitude that becomes central to their identity.

Founder & CEO of Impetus Consultancy & Advisory

“The secret of success is to do the common thing uncommonly well.”

Yet, as the years pass, growth often remains modest, far from the dreams that sparked their venture. After a long, challenging journey, many entrepreneurs adjust their expectations and accept incremental progress. It can be disheartening to see that so much energy, effort, and strategic thinking does not immediately translate into exponential growth. In many cases, the initial dream of building a well-known, reputable company fades, and

the focus shifts to sustaining operations. Yet, it is important to remember that every major corporation, every global conglomerate, began as a small, humble startup with ambitious goals.

So, how do startups grow into industry-leading organizations? Did they rely on a secret strategy, a revolutionary product, or exceptional service? The truth is that success rarely comes from a single factor. It is the cumulative effect of multiple elements—strategy, perseverance, timing, innovation, and relentless execution. Observing successful companies shows that even when the path seems uncertain, consistent effort and adaptability often create the conditions for exponential growth.

In my consulting experience, I often notice startup founders in a hurry to achieve success. Many believe that their product or company is exceptional and should automatically attract customers. While their confidence is understandable, they quickly realize that customer needs, priorities, and purchasing patterns vary widely. What was envisioned as a three-month sales cycle often stretches into nine months or longer, with the goalpost constantly shifting. Entrepreneurs learn the

importance of patience, continuous engagement, and understanding the market dynamics, which are far more complex than initially anticipated. So, what is the unknown secret of success? There is no single formula. In my experience with several high-growth companies, I observed teams initially skeptical of ambitious targets, unsure of their capabilities, or focused on the wrong priorities. Yet, through clear strategy, disciplined execution, and belief in the mission, these teams overcame doubts and consistently overachieved. The secret lies in doing ordinary things uncommonly well— executing ideas with precision, persistence, and focus, even when circumstances are uncertain or challenging.

Millions of startups continue to dream, aspiring to change industries and create meaningful impact. Their goals and ambitions often soar as high as the sky. To realize these dreams, entrepreneurs must maintain hope, resilience, and belief in their vision, even in the face of setbacks. Supporting startups by fostering environments that encourage innovation, learning, and calculated risk-taking can transform promising ideas into lasting businesses. Their success enriches not only

themselves but entire industries, economies, and communities.

The journey of a startup is, in many ways, an adventure. It teaches valuable lessons in strategy, leadership, patience, and perseverance. Founders learn to navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and adapt to evolving market realities. By nurturing talent, encouraging creativity, and enabling continuous improvement, startups can turn ambitious visions into reality. Each small win builds momentum, while every setback offers lessons that strengthen resilience and strategic thinking.

Ultimately, the secret to startup success is rarely a hidden formula or a single groundbreaking product. It is a combination of discipline, innovation, persistence, and the ability to execute ideas consistently. The entrepreneurs who thrive are those who embrace challenges, stay focused on their goals, and relentlessly pursue excellence.

“The secret of success is to do the common thing uncommonly well.” By supporting startups, believing in their vision, and fostering an ecosystem of encouragement and guidance, we can help these ventures transform dreams into tangible, meaningful outcomes.

CAREER

Workload increases but brings recognition if you stay disciplined. Avoid impulsive changes; patience rewards by January.

LOVE

Slight tension due to work stress — better communication will heal bonds.

FINANCE

Moderate; delayed payments may clear end-month. Avoid speculation.

HEALTH

Minor sleep disturbances; meditation and hydration help balance fiery energy.

LUCKY PERIOD: DEC 26 – JAN 2

CAREER BOOST

LIFE

CAREER

CAREER

Team collaborations improve under Venus’s blessing. A good time to show creativity in presentations or design-related IT tasks.

LOVE

Venus Dasha enhances charm — romantic encounters likely for singles.

FINANCE

Steady growth; investments in digital assets or mutual funds may yield returns.

HEALTH

Throat or sinus issues possible — avoid cold drinks and rest well.

LUCKY PERIOD: DEC 18 – DEC 28

CAREER BOOST

CAREER

Jupiter’s aspect helps learning — take up certifications or new tech skills. Be wary of distraction or gossip at work.

LOVE

Emotional confusion clears after New Year; avoid mixed signals.

FINANCE

Slight overspending on gadgets or leisure; manage wisely.

HEALTH

Maintain routine — avoid skipping meals due to coding marathons.

LUCKY PERIOD: DEC 29 – JAN 6

CAREER BOOST

Virgo Cancer

Aries Gemini Leo Taurus

CAREER

Mars’ aspect creates pressure; deadlines may frustrate, but senior support helps.

LOVE

Emotional bonding deepens; long-distance communication strengthens ties.

FINANCE

Expenses rise for family or home; plan budgets early.

HEALTH

Digestive issues likely from stress — light diet recommended.

LUCKY PERIOD: DEC 21 – DEC 30

CAREER BOOST

Strong month — leadership shines in team projects. Recognition possible mid-December.

LOVE

Magnetic charm attracts attention; existing relationships improve.

FINANCE

Bonus or appreciation likely; consider saving part of extra income.

HEALTH

Back strain possible from long sitting; practice regular stretches.

LUCKY PERIOD: DEC 23 – JAN 4

CAREER BOOST

CAREER

Overthinking delays progress — focus on task execution. Avoid conflicts with teammates.

LOVE

Misunderstandings clear if you communicate gently.

FINANCE

Moderate; past efforts begin yielding returns.

HEALTH

Take care of eyes and posture due to prolonged screen time.

LUCKY PERIOD: DEC 25 – JAN 3

CAREER BOOST

CAREER

Scorpio Libra Sagittarius

A peaceful phase — creative work flows smoothly. Networking brings opportunities in early January.

LOVE

Romantic stability; those in long-term relationships feel renewed warmth.

FINANCE

Balanced; unexpected small gain or gift possible.

HEALTH

Focus on lower back or kidney care; stay hydrated.

CAREER

With Mars, Mercury, and Venus here — dynamic yet intense. Excellent for IT problem-solving, but avoid office politics.

LOVE

Passionate month; however, jealousy could arise — handle calmly.

FINANCE

Gains through bonuses or freelance work likely.

HEALTH

High energy but prone to burnout — balance rest and work.

CAREER

Mars in your sign sparks motivation — great for job changes or project launches.

LOVE

Exciting encounters for singles; couples may travel together.

FINANCE

Income flow improves, but avoid risky ventures.

HEALTH

Stay active; avoid overindulgence in food or drink.

LUCKY PERIOD: DEC 24 – JAN 5

LUCKY PERIOD: DEC 17 – DEC 29

LUCKY PERIOD: DEC 20 – DEC 31

CAREER BOOST CAREER BOOST CAREER BOOST

Capricorn Picses

CAREER

Subtle growth phase — behind-the-scenes work gets noticed next month.

LOVE

Need space; partner may demand attention — balance both.

FINANCE

Manage expenses; savings bring peace of mind.

HEALTH

Joint pain or stiffness possible — warm-up before workouts.

LUCKY PERIOD: DEC 30 – JAN 8

Aquarius

CAREER

Networking and teamwork flourish — ideal for innovation or AI-related tasks.

LOVE

Friendships turn romantic for some; good emotional clarity.

FINANCE

Stable; potential raise or appreciation by month-end.

HEALTH

Energy fluctuates — ensure proper sleep schedule.

LUCKY PERIOD: DEC 19 – DEC 28

CAREER

Saturn’s influence brings responsibility — take ownership; avoid procrastination.

LOVE

Introspective mood; old emotional wounds heal.

FINANCE

Expenses for education or tools beneficial long-term.

HEALTH

Maintain spine health; avoid working late continuously.

LUCKY PERIOD: DEC 27 – JAN 6

CAREER BOOST CAREER BOOST CAREER BOOST

MARKO TOPOVIC

General

Manager, CNS Middle East

“We prioritize solutions that solve real business problems and deliver tangible value rather than pursuing technology for its own sake.”

As the new General Manager of CNS Middle East, what are your top three priorities for the first year?

My priorities center on operational excellence, customer trust, and people development. Strengthening operational excellence means refining delivery governance, improving internal processes, and ensuring consistency and efficiency across all business units to build a scalable, high-quality foundation. Equally important is deepening customer trust by delivering measurable outcomes, communicating value clearly, and engaging proactively throughout each transformation journey. I want every interaction to reflect reliability, transparency, and a strong commitment to our clients’ success.

Investing in our people is the third pillar. CNS has exceptional talent, and fostering a culture that empowers teams, promotes continuous learning, and rewards performance is essential. When our people are motivated and equipped with the right skills, we consistently deliver stronger results for our customers.

What will you drive business growth in the region?

Our growth strategy is centered on the technology areas driving transformation across the GCC. We are expanding our capabilities in cloud, cybersecurity, managed services, and data & AI— domains seeing strong investment from both government and enterprise customers. Strengthening these offerings positions us to capture greater market share.

CNS MIDDLE EAST DRIVES GROWTH THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS

AND INNOVATION

Marko Topovic, General Manager, CNS Middle East, explains that the company focuses on partnerships, innovation, and operational excellence to empower clients, deliver value, and drive growth.

We are also sharpening our sector-focused approach by tailoring solutions for government, BFSI, and large enterprises, ensuring we address their specific operational, regulatory, and modernization needs.

Partnerships are another key pillar. By collaborating closely with global technology vendors, hyperscalers, and regional partners, we deliver best-in-class solutions while accelerating innovation. Introducing future-ready technologies enables our clients to stay competitive in an increasingly fast-moving digital landscape.

How important are strategic partnerships to your overall growth strategy?

Strategic partnerships are central to our growth. Collaborating with government entities enables us to support national digital transformation agendas and align our solutions with long-term economic and technology priorities. These relationships also help us anticipate emerging needs and adapt our offerings proactively.

Our partnerships with system integrators allow us to deliver end-to-end solutions by combining strengths and expertise. This expands our delivery capability, improves execution speed, and helps us address complex client requirements more effectively.

Equally important are our alliances with global technology vendors. They give us access to advanced technologies, proven frameworks, and international best practices. By blending global innovation with strong local delivery, we ensure our clients receive reliable, world-class solutions tailored to the region’s needs.

How do you balance innovation, operational excellence, and customer trust?

Balancing these priorities requires a disciplined and integrated approach. Innovation must be purposeful and tied directly to customer needs. We prioritize solutions that solve real business problems and deliver tangible value rather than pursuing technology for its own sake.

Operational excellence ensures that innovation is delivered consistently and reliably. We are

strengthening our governance, processes, and delivery frameworks to ensure predictable, highquality outcomes. This operational rigor is critical to maintaining credibility.

Customer trust is earned through transparency, responsiveness, and consistency. By upskilling our teams, staying ahead of market trends, and combining strong operations with meaningful innovation, we reinforce trust through every engagement.

As digital transformation accelerates across the Middle East, how is CNS preparing its clients for this journey?

We help clients navigate digital transformation through tailored, industry-specific solutions and end-to-end support. Our approach spans strategy, modernization, implementation, and managed services, ensuring continuity throughout their transformation lifecycle.

We support clients in modernizing infrastructure, adopting cloud-first approaches, enhancing cybersecurity, and leveraging data for intelligence and decision-making. In sectors like government and BFSI, we also focus on improving service delivery, strengthening resilience, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Our goal is to provide clarity, confidence, and measurable impact as clients adapt to changing technologies and expectations.

What is your long-term vision for CNS Middle East? Where do you see the company in the next two to three years?

My vision is for CNS Middle East to become the region’s most trusted digital transformation partner. Over the next few years, I see us deepening our leadership in cloud, cybersecurity, managed services, and data-driven solutions. We are also moving toward a recurring-revenue model built on long-term engagements, which will drive sustainable growth and stronger customer relationships.

Ultimately, I want CNS to be known for delivering reliable, innovative solutions and measurable business outcomes across the Middle East.

SEAGATE LAUNCHES NEXT-GENERATION EDGE ENTERPRISE STORAGE

Seagate introduced its new Seagate Exos 4U100 and 4U74 JBOD systems, setting a new standard for enterprise storage. Purpose-built for datacentric environments at the data center and edge, these flagship platforms deliver up to 3.2 petabytes of storage in the most complete high-density single enclosure on the market.

As organizations encounter significant data growth fueled by generative AI, disaggregated storage architectures, and evolving data sovereignty requirements, both the Seagate Exos 4U100 and Seagate Exos 4U74 systems provide advanced SAS-4 JBOD storage solutions. These systems are designed to streamline operations, enhance

energy efficiency, and offer scalable storage capabilities, powered by Seagate’s Mozaic innovation.

AI Drives a New Era of Enterprise Storage

Generative AI is transforming how enterprises create and manage data. According to the latest IDC study sponsored by Seagate, 78% of organizations are now generating new types of content, with storage needs surging as AI adoption accelerates. “The key question is no longer whether data volumes will rise, but how enterprises can harness that scale to deliver measurable value,” said Adam Wright, Research Manager at IDC.

KIOXIA has announced the launch of the EXCERIA PRO G2 SSD and EXCERIA G3 SSD Series, completing its PCIe 5.0 portfolio and delivering next-generation storage solutions for a wide range of use cases. With these additions, the company now offers a comprehensive lineup designed to meet the demands of AI-driven workloads, gaming, creative production, and everyday

computing.

The EXCERIA PRO G2 SSD Series represents KIOXIA’s fastest personal SSD to date, engineered for premium system builds and environments requiring heavy performance. Offering up to 4TB of capacity, the drive delivers sequential read speeds of up to 14,900MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 13,700MB/s, making it ideal

Yet, the challenge extends beyond sheer volume: evolving data sovereignty laws now require organizations to store and manage data locally to meet compliance and privacy mandates, while the rise of on-prem AI workflows is shifting analytics from centralized cloud environments to hybrid, distributed and disaggregated operations. This transformation demands storage of exceptional performance, extreme security and futureproof scalability, but also energy-efficiency — setting the stage for innovation at the edge.

“The Seagate Exos 4U100 JBOD marks the beginning of a bold new chapter in edge storage innovation—engineered to meet the evolving demands of data creation, storage, replication and analysis at the edge. It’s not just a product; it’s a demonstration of Seagate’s commitment to empowering organizations to retain more data for longer periods of time, as leaders assess the value data can bring to future business outcomes,” said Melyssa Banda, SVP Edge Storage and Services at Seagate.

Innovation Built for the Edge

The Seagate Exos 4U100 leverages Seagate’s latest Mozaic HAMR technology to deliver industry-leading density, energy efficiency, and rapid data throughput. Designed for petabyte-scale AI and ML workflows, it supports frequent model checkpointing, long-term retention, and continuous data ingestion—empowering organizations to scale storage and support real-time edge analytics.

for performance-hungry PC users. To further enhance reliability, the EXCERIA PRO G2 incorporates innovative product labels that improve heat dissipation, ensuring optimized cooler performance even under intensive workloads.

For users taking their first step into PCIe 5.0 technology, the EXCERIA G3 SSD Series provides an accessible entry point. With sequential read speeds of up to 10,000MB/s and write speeds of up to 9,600MB/s, the G3 series is well-suited for daily computing, AI tasks, and gaming environments. Initially available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, the lineup will expand to include a 4TB option in 2026, offering greater flexibility for users seeking higher storage volumes.

Together, the EXCERIA PRO G2 and EXCERIA G3 SSDs join the existing EXCERIA PLUS G4 SSD Series, creating a full spectrum of PCIe 5.0 solutions tailored to diverse user needs. All drives are built with KIOXIA’s cutting-edge 3D flash memory, leveraging BiCS FLASH generation 8 with CMOS directly Bonded to Array (CBA) technology. This advanced architecture enhances performance, density, and power efficiency, ensuring users benefit from faster speeds, greater reliability, and improved energy optimization.

ACER UNVEILS ULTIMATE PREDATOR GAMING ECOSYSTEM IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Acer is raising the bar for gamers with its Predator ecosystem, offering a complete lineup of desktops, monitors, and accessories designed to deliver an immersive, high-performance gaming experience. Whether battling through campaigns, streaming live gameplay, or creating content, Predator delivers the speed and precision gamers need to stay ahead of the action.

With the Predator desktops, laptops, monitors, and a full suite of gaming accessories, players can build the ultimate gaming setup for serious performance.

Powerful Desktop: Predator Orion 7000

For gamers seeking truly unmatched power, the Predator Orion 7000 stands at the top of Acer’s gaming lineup, delivering extreme performance with up to an Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor 285K and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 graphics. Built as a high-performance command center, it features customizable ARGB lighting behind a transparent, EMI-shielded glass panel, while the advanced Predator cooling system and FrostBlade™ fans keep the powerhouse whisper-cool

during intense play.

With next-gen AI capabilities for seamless streaming and multitasking, fast PCIe Gen4 storage, and Boost for smoother gameplay and creative workloads, the Orion 7000 delivers ultrafluid performance and stunning visuals that redefine what a flagship gaming desktop can do.

Next-Gen Gaming: Predator Helios Neo 16

AI

Acer’s latest AI-accelerated gaming laptop, the Predator Helios Neo 16 AI, unleashes the future of portable gaming. Powered by up to an Intel® Core™ i9-14900HX with 24 cores and up to 5.8GHz Max Turbo Frequency, the Helios Neo 16 AI delivers exceptional performance for gaming, multitasking, and heavy creative workloads. It combines advanced hardware with AI capabilities to deliver desktop-class performance anywhere.

Its 16-inch WQXGA display with 240Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut ensures vivid visuals and ultra-smooth gameplay. Built for sustained performance, the laptop integrates 5th Gen AeroBlade™ 3D fans, liquid metal thermal compound, and vector heat pipes to keep temperatures in check during intensive sessions.

Designed for the AI era, the Helios Neo 16 AI can run hundreds of AI applications locally, from Stable Diffusion to creative suite tools, offering faster compute times and smarter workflows. Features like Copilot in Windows 11, Acer PurifiedView™, and Acer PurifiedVoice™ 2.0 add even more intelligent capabilities for productivity and communication.

Immersive Display: Predator XB273 Monitor

Acer’s Predator XB273UV3 is a 27-inch WQHD

monitor built for players who want every frame to feel fast, fluid, and lifelike. This 27-inch WQHD display pairs a blazing 180Hz refresh rate with a 0.5ms response time and AMD FreeSync Premium to deliver smooth, tear-free gameplay, whether you’re competing online or exploring cinematic worlds.

Its Agile-Splendor IPS panel brings vibrant colors and sharp detail, making games, movies, and creative work look incredibly rich and accurate. With ergonomic adjustability, HDR support, and compatibility with NVIDIA® G-SYNC®, this monitor combines speed, clarity, and comfort into a display that elevates any gaming setup.

Complete Your Setup: Predator Gaming Accessories

A great gaming setup isn’t just about powerful hardware, it’s about comfort, organization, and mobility. Acer’s Predator accessories are designed to elevate the entire experience.

The Predator Gaming Chair, built for marathon sessions with ergonomic cushioning, adjustable support, a durable steel frame, and a reclining angle of up to 150° to keep players comfortable through every match.

The Predator Gaming Desk enhances any battle station with its spacious, sturdy surface, RGB lighting strips for added atmosphere, and smart details like a built-in headset hook, cablemanagement features, and a drink holder to keep gear secure and organized.

For gamers on the move, the Predator Gaming Backpack offers a lightweight, water-repellent design with cushioned straps, shock-absorbing padding, and neatly arranged compartments, ideal for carrying laptops up to 15.6 inches along with accessories and tournament essentials.