At GISEC 2020, Qualys, the cloud-based security and compliance solutions provider, has launched the Qualys UAE Cloud, a platform that will allow public and private enterprises across the Middle East to innovate as Qualys brings them unprecedented security and visibility across their hybrid IT environment.
The move comes as regional cloud migration reaches fever pitch. Last year, YouGov revealed that 88% of IT stakeholders in the UAE were planning budget increases for cloud computing. Across the GCC, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has acted as an accelerant to digital transformation, with the International Data Corporation (IDC) projecting that the Gulf’s public cloud market alone will more than double over the next four years, from US$956 million in 2020 to US$2.35 billion in 2024. IDC also predicted that hybrid clouds — known for their complexity and compliance issues — will grow in popularity.
But many organisations in heavily regulated industries such as banking, oil and gas, and government have had to consider issues such as privacy and data residency when planning their migration journeys. The Qualys UAE Cloud platform will eliminate these barriers and will act as the company’s main hub for the Middle East.
“The UAE has been a clear leader in cloud-first technology strategy, as it has moved forward boldly with its ambition to become a regional data hub,” said Hadi Jaafarawi, Managing Director Middle East at Qualys. “The Qualys UAE Cloud will help further this goal. It is a clear signal of our resolute commitment to the country and the wider region and comes at a pivotal moment — amid an economic crisis — when organisations need to innovate with greater ease.”
The Qualys UAE Cloud will offer all the company’s key solutions including VMDR, (Vulnerability Management, Detection and Response); Multi-Vector EDR; Global IT Asset Inventory; Configuration Management; Certificate Inventory; Threat Protection; Continuous Monitoring; Patch Management; Container Security; Web Application Scanning; and Web Application Firewalls.
The Qualys Cloud Platform, already trusted by businesses across the country and the region, will now support several local compliance requirements, such as the Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre’s (ADSIC) Information Security Policy and the UAE Information Assurance Regulation. It will also allow Qualys’ partners, such as managed service providers (MSPs), the opportunity to offer cloud services to sectors that are highly regulated.
“In today’s global digital economy, the competitiveness of nations is dependent on their ability to leverage technology in ways that set them apart,” said Andrew Ward, Senior Vice President – NBI Products & Solutions, du. “The UAE’s cloud-first strategy, as set out in the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority’s guidelines of 2018, calls for the establishment of a regional data hub. As such, we commend Qualys for pursuing its vision to launch a UAE-based cloud-services platform. This move aligns with our own strategy to work with the most reputable vendors and ensure businesses across the region have seamless access to the tools and intelligence they require to build innovative ecosystems. Innovation is the gateway for Middle Eastern companies to continue thriving in the new digital landscape. Looking ahead, a host of possibilities await organisations with support from Qualys UAE Cloud.”
“At Mashreq Bank, we are constantly looking at ways we can leverage technology to provide our customers more personalised and seamless experiences. But underpinning this is a relentless commitment to ensure the security of our IT systems and customer data like; PII and Cross border data transfer, which is why Qualys is a strategic partner for us,” said Somnath Sarkar, Senior Vice President & Head of Information Security, Mashreq Bank. “This latest announcement from Qualys gives us the confidence that we have chosen the right security partner; one that understands the needs of their customers, the local regulatory requirements and stays innovative in creating a scalable and extensible solution for vulnerability management.”
“Qualys has been in the UAE for more than 12 years,” added Jaafarawi. “We have watched the country lead the way in the adoption of digital solutions. These breakthroughs have bridged industrial sectors and set several benchmarks for the region. But we are aware that such progress does not happen in a bubble. Due attention must be paid to the security and privacy of individuals and organisations. Economies rise and fall on the building or degradation of trust. That is what Qualys brings to the region with our local cloud platform — the peace of mind necessary to keep on innovating.”
The Qualys UAE cloud will be available in December 2020
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