Inayat-ur-Rahman, Business Editor

From our position at Forescout, the cybersecurity landscape within the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) region has seen varied yet progressive growth when compared to last year. In the Middle East, we have witnessed a robust increase in cybersecurity awareness and investment, driven largely by its rapid digital transformation endeavors. This region has shown a keen interest in advanced cybersecurity solutions.

This was stated by Hassan Al Karhani, General Manager, Forescout - Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, during an exclusive interview with Gulf Today, adding that in contrast, the North African region, while growing, is at a slightly more nascent stage, focusing on building foundational cybersecurity infrastructures and capabilities. The adoption rate of next-gen technologies is on the rise, but at a measured pace.

“In essence, while each sub-region within META is at a different stage of cybersecurity evolution, the overarching trend is positive. The collective momentum is geared towards establishing a fortified, resilient digital ecosystem across META.” He added.

“We’ve increased our presence here by establishing a new Entity and a Regional Head Office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This expansion includes enhancing our Services team to cater more effectively to our META customers. Additionally, we’re thrilled to mention that we’ll be launching our premier Forescout XDR Cloud in the region, utilizing Google Cloud based in Qatar.” “These strategic steps are geared towards efficiently serving our critical infrastructure clientele in the region, with plans of extending our reach even further. We’re eager to share these official updates during the upcoming Gitex event in Dubai.”

He noted that globally, on the collaboration side, we’re proud to join the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA), integrating with Microsoft Sentinel. This partnership aims to offer our customers a comprehensive and holistic approach to cybersecurity.

To a question about participation in Gitex Global, Al Karhani mentioned that they are really excited to be at Gitex Global 2023 in Dubai.

“It is not just another event for us; it genuinely resonates with what we at Forescout believe in - driving technological innovation and security advancements across the Region. Gitex is a global tech powerhouse, and being here gives us a golden chance to not only share our newest innovations but also to listen and learn from others. It’s like a big gathering where we meet our valued customers, both old and new, understand their concerns, and show them firsthand how we’re gearing up to tackle the modern cybersecurity challenges. More than that, it’s a place where connections happen, where we can bond with other industry experts and create partnerships for a safer digital future. For us, Gitex is more than showcasing our brand; it’s about being part of a global tech family and playing our part in shaping its future, especially here in UAE and the broader META region.”

“At the Forescout Stand in Gitex, visitors can expect a journey of discovery and innovation. Our theme for this year is simple “See it. Secure it”.

“Our visitors will be greeted with live demonstrations of our latest cybersecurity solutions, giving them a firsthand experience of their capabilities and benefits. Our team of experts will be on hand for in-depth discussions, answering questions and exploring how Forescout can cater to their specific cybersecurity needs. Additionally, we’ve set up interactive sessions and panels where thought leaders will discuss prevailing trends and future projections in the tech security landscape. And, of course, there will be opportunities for networking, sharing experiences, and forging new collaborations. We’ve designed our stand to be both informative and engaging, ensuring every visitor walks away with new insights and connections – we are located at Hall 24, Stand 60.” He added.

“At this year’s Gitex, Forescout is excited to unveil our most recent advancements designed to bolster our customers’ cybersecurity confidence and fortifications. Visitors can look forward to in-depth showcases on:

Our Threat Detection and Response Platform, a highlight from last April. We’re eager to present these pivotal offerings and demonstrate their capabilities firsthand.

To a question about AI, he noted that AI is not just a buzzword for us at Forescout; it’s at the core of many solutions we offer. We are deeply invested in harnessing the power of AI and machine learning across our product spectrum. For instance, our device cloud leverages AI for enhanced device classification, ensuring more accurate and efficient recognition. Our cyber intelligence integrates AI-driven signatures and Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) for heightened threat anticipation. Additionally, we’ve implemented User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) to spot unusual patterns, and our context-aware AI/ML algorithms play a pivotal role in our Threat Detection Engine.