The Saudi Arabia cybersecurity market is surging forward, reaching a value of SAR 13.3 billion (US$3.55 billion) towards the start of 2024, making it a fertile ground for advancing the cybersecurity industry which aligns perfectly with OPSWAT’s specialized critical infrastructure protection (CIP) technologies and tailor-made solutions that integrate Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) security seamlessly.

OPSWAT, a global leader in CIP solutions with headquarters in Florida, United States, has seen a significant expansion of its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marked by tremendous business and overall economic growth of the country over the past two years. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 sets certain goals for the sector and as a contributor to the success of the global and Saudi cybersecurity space, OPSWAT has specific commitments to support and be part of the country’s development.

In alignment with Vision 2030, which also focuses on enhancing the resilience and preparedness of critical national infrastructure and cybersecurity education and awareness in the Kingdom. OPSWAT’s expansion in Saudi Arabia is dedicated to protecting the Kingdom’s essential services against an evolving landscape of cyber threats as well as addressing the need for improved educational and technical training.

Sertan Selcuk, OPSWAT Vice President METAP & CIS, emphasized the importance of this strategic expansion, stating, “Safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s critical infrastructure against the rising tide of cyber threats is essential to the nation’s security and economic stability. OPSWAT is dedicated to supporting Saudi Vision 2030 by fortifying the Kingdom’s defences through advanced cybersecurity training and innovative solutions. Our commitment is to ensure that Saudi Arabia’s vital assets remain resilient in the face of evolving cyber challenges.”

OPSWAT has been named the official educational partner for the MENA Information Security Conference 2024, which it is also a gold sponsor of. As part of this broader strategy, OPSWAT Academy, the educational arm of OPSWAT, will offer complimentary CIP certifications to all event attendees, tailored specifically to the needs of the region’s cybersecurity professionals.

“We are committed to equipping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals with the skills needed to safeguard critical infrastructure. Our partnership with MENA ISC 2024 opens new avenues for participants to access world-class CIP cybersecurity training,” said Irfan Shakeel, VP of OPSWAT Academy. “This initiative is part of OPSWAT’s global SAR 37.5 million (US $10 million) scholarship program, reinforcing our dedication to addressing the growing demand for certified CIP cybersecurity experts.”

Recent reports indicate a significant rise in state-sponsored cyberattacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s critical infrastructure, driven by the nation’s rapid digital transformation. With the average cost of a data breach in the Kingdom reaching approximately SAR 30 million (US $8 million), the need for robust cybersecurity measures and human resources has never been more urgent. OPSWAT’s initiatives directly address these challenges, ensuring that young aspiring Saudis receive world-class training and that the Kingdom’s essential services remain secure.

Check Point has unveiled its innovative Portal designed for both managed security service providers (MSSPs) and distributors. This platform significantly simplifies service delivery and enhances the ease of doing business with Check Point. According to Canalys, the global MSSP market is projected to grow by 14.2% annually, driven by increasing cyber threats and the need for specialized security services.

However, MSSPs and channel partners today face a range of challenges—from efficiently scaling their services, managing multiple customers across disparate security solutions, ensuring compliance with evolving industry regulations, to balancing operational costs with profitability. The Check Point MSSP Portal offers a powerful solution to overcome these hurdles, enhancing security and streamlining operations.

Francisco Criado, Check Point’s VP of Global Partner Ecosystem Organization, said, “Our new Portal is here to make life easier for our valued partners, enhancing efficiency and driving business growth. We are deeply committed to our partner ecosystem, and this Portal stands as a testament to our dedication, serving as a powerful ally in the fight against cybersecurity threats.”

At the core of these advancements is a meticulously designed, user-centric Portal that enables effortless onboarding of partners—a process that previously took as long as a week and now takes only two minutes. This efficiency not only saves time but also reduces operational costs for MSSPs. The Portal seamlessly integrates MSSPs into the Check Point Infinity Platform, marking a significant achievement in Check Point’s MSSP program and transforming business operations.

The Check Point MSSP Portal is not just about enhancing operational efficiency; it’s about transforming the way MSSPs engage with technology, manage services, and ultimately, how they meet the evolving security needs of their clients. It features a range of enhancements including:

1. Effortless Onboarding: New capabilities empower distributors to onboard MSSPs with the click of a button
2. Diverse Security Portfolio: Effortlessly deploy an array of services in minutes, such as endpoint, email, mobile, SASE, and cloud
3. Profitability with Minimal Risk: Flexible billing, predictable revenue, no long-term commitments, or upfront investment

Panasonic Marketing Middle East & Africa (PMMAF) has announced its latest innovation in CCTV technology for the region. The Japanese manufacturer returns with a completely new series of security cameras that are designed to provide superior image quality, reliability, and advanced features, ensuring optimal performance in diverse applications. Panasonic’s new range of cameras and network video recorders are designed to meet various customer application needs, providing high security, and ensuring safety in homes, shops, and offices.

Panasonic CCTV solutions provide a cutting-edge lineup with unparalleled surveillance capabilities in a climate where safety and security hold utmost importance. Meticulously designed to empower businesses, communities, and individuals, they significantly help safeguard critical assets. The new Panasonic cameras are complemented by Network Video Recorders (NVRs) supporting 8 to 32 channels of IP cameras with PoE inputs. These NVRs are designed to meet diverse security requirements, leveraging advanced system-on-chip (SoC) technology for high-definition recording on each channel.

Furthermore, a mobile application allows users to access connected cameras via the NVR from their mobile phones. This app supports both iOS and Android platforms. “Panasonic security cameras are sophisticated surveillance systems that utilize intelligent algorithms that enhance functionality and effectiveness. Unlike traditional security cameras, which rely solely on motion detection, Panasonic cameras can intelligently analyze video feeds in real-time, identifying and flagging potential threats or suspicious activities. These cameras can distinguish between normal and abnormal behaviour, allowing for more accurate threat detection and minimizing false alarms,” commented John Hardy – Chief Operating Officer, PMMAF.

Panasonic lineup includes dome, pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) and bullet cameras that suit multiple installation environments like wall, ceiling, indoor, and outdoor enabling the customer to find the best option for his project. Panasonic lineup contains 2MP,4MP & 5MP that match the customer requirements and MEA country regulations. Panasonic cameras are designed to offer high security, ensuring the safety of customers in their homes, shops, and offices. Equipped with smart intelligence, name few features like line crossing, and abandoned or missing objects can be customizable through the Region of Interest (ROI) feature built into the camera enhancing user security and peace of mind. Moreover, the cameras guarantee customer privacy through an advanced encryption algorithm.

Panasonic network video recorders come with an offering from 8 input channels to 32 input channels, ensuring high-definition recording on each channel through advanced SOC techniques. The NVR’s support IP PoE inputs for easy configuration and network infrastructure simplification enables simultaneous playback across all channels, It meets diverse security requirements for homes, shops, and offices, ensuring customer safety.