Alain Penel, the Regional Vice President for the Middle East at Fortinet, says that by applying artificial intelligence as well as integration and automation, organizations can reduce risk and improve efficiency
Are you participating in GITEX 2021? If yes, which products and solutions will you be showcasing at GITEX Technology Week?
Fortinet will be participating at GITEX this year with a key focus on highlighting our security-driven networking approach. With Secure SD-WAN, Fortinet Adaptive Cloud Security Solutions, and FortiXDR in the spotlight, we will be demonstrating how businesses can leverage these technologies to create seamless interoperation of Fortinet’s portfolio of Fabric-enabled solutions:
With the cloud playing a major role in businesses’ decisions to adapt to a new and hybrid working environment, we will be drawing attention to the Fortinet Adaptive Cloud Security Solutions. These solutions make it possible for businesses to address cloud security at the platform, application, and network levels all under one umbrella with single-pane-of-glass visibility and control, and consistent policies.
By leading with a security-driven networking strategy, organizations can ensure high performance and security anywhere. Such a strategy should be focused on flexibility and choosing the right solution for the right situation: SASE will play a key role in this framework moving forward, particularly as it relates to the cloud, but one size does not fit all. Organizations should look for a variety solutions, including but not limited to SASE. Secure SD-WAN and ZTNA solutions should be part of the mix.
To keep up with the volume, sophistication, and speed of today’s cyber threats, organizations need security operations that can function at machine speed. By applying artificial intelligence as well as integration and automation, organizations can reduce risk and improve efficiency. As part of the Fortinet Security Fabric, FortiXDR’s first-of-its-kind, AI-based XDR solution fully automates incident investigation rather than relying on scarce human resources.
What are your expectations from the event this year?
We are expecting GITEX technology Week to serve as a platform for companies to encourage organizations to look at their technology investments from a new perspective; one that will ensure and improve their businesses’ overall security posture and boost businesses continuity.
We are also expecting GITEX to be a mega event this year as a few tech events integrate to give visitors and exhibitors alike the opportunity to explore technology at its best. Events like this help to gather people who want to share their knowledge and help to push the global digital transformation agenda ahead.
Do you hope for a business relief from the event?
One has to admit that the last year was fairly tough for most businesses, however, they continued to invest smartly in cybersecurity solutions to ensure secure business continuity. We are looking forward to help businesses maximize their security investments to secure a hybrid workforce and deal with cyberattacks, especially ransomware which, according to the latest FortiGuard Labs Global Threat Landscape Report, has grown tenfold over the last 12 months.
What will be your theme of participation at GITEX?
Our key message this year is for businesses to embrace a security-driven networking approach. This strategy integrates an organization’s network and security architecture, allowing security to function as the key driver in business operations. By adopting a security-driven approach to networking, businesses can embrace digital innovation without exposing critical assets to risks.
Thanks to a holistic solution that can protect any edge the moment it is created, such as the Fortinet Security Fabric, organizations will benefit from unified management and orchestration, broad visibility, granular control, and centralized compliance capabilities to reduce complexity while protecting the entire attack surface.
Do you plan to run any online engagements such as webinars alongside GITEX?
We will be hosting live demonstrations at our stand (located in hall 7, stand no A20), to not only highlight the features of the Fortinet Security Fabric but also how businesses have benefitted on various levels – from productivity to scalability. We will have three pods in our stand to give our customers the virtual experience of our solutions.
How have your regional strategies changed in recent months?
Fortinet has been focused on strengthening its position through innovative thinking and strong solutions that help solve enterprises’ most pressing network and cyber security issues. We’ve maintained this strategy while adapting our support to suit the needs of customers in the current hybrid working environment.
