Sophos to Highlight its MDR Among Other Solutions at Black Hat MEA
Harish Chib, VP Emerging Markets, Middle East & Africa, Sophos, says his company will help businesses to protect their networks from even the most sophisticated attacks
How has the regional threat landscape evolved over the past few months?
The MENA region’s cybersecurity landscape is evolving, with governments placing greater emphasis on data privacy and protection regulations. Sophos is well-positioned to help organizations in the region meet these requirements through our cutting-edge solutions, including endpoint protection, firewalls, and managed services like MDR (Managed Detection and Response).
What are the five major cybersecurity predictions for the upcoming months?
- Supply Chain Attacks – The Comeback Threat: One of the most disruptive cybersecurity events of the past year, the ransomware attack on CDK Global—a leading software provider for car dealerships—highlighted the broad-reaching impact of supply chain attacks. The incident, which disrupted thousands of U.S. car dealerships for over a week, is a stark reminder of the cascading consequences that such attacks can have on interconnected industries.
- Ransomware Actors Pivot to Cloud Assets Amid Endpoint Security Gains: As organizations implement more advanced endpoint security tools, such as Sophos Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), attackers are increasingly targeting cloud environments, which are often less protected by MFA and other controls. With account access harder to compromise due to MFA, attackers are now exploiting cloud assets and authentication tokens to gain footholds
- Cybercriminals Use Noise and Distraction Tactics to Disorient Defenders: To evade detection, cybercriminals are using distraction tactics to pull incident responders’ attention away from their primary objective. By creating “noise”—such as minor attacks or false incidents—attackers can overwhelm response teams, allowing larger threats to advance undetected.
- Generative AI Lowers the Barrier for Cybercrime, Increasing Attack Volume: Generative AI platforms have made it easier for less-skilled attackers to create and launch credible cyberattacks. By using AI models to generate phishing emails, malware code, and other attack tools, novice attackers are flooding the digital landscape with new threats, creating a significant resource strain for defenders.
- Fatigue and Burnout Among Cybersecurity Professionals Reach Critical Levels: Cybersecurity teams are grappling with increasing levels of burnout as they contend with complex and evolving threats, a shortage of skilled professionals, and rising expectations. The intense workload, coupled with continuous cyber incidents, is driving high attrition rates, with many seasoned professionals choosing to leave the field.
What are your plans for Black Hat MEA?
At Black Hat MEA, Sophos will showcase our latest advancements in cybersecurity, particularly focusing on how our solutions can support organizations in Saudi Arabia in their journey toward Vision 2030. One key area of emphasis was the Sophos Firewall, which offers robust network security with advanced threat protection, web filtering and secure VPN access, ensuring that businesses can protect their networks from even the most sophisticated attacks.
We will also highlight Sophos Managed Detection and Response (MDR), our comprehensive threat detection service that combines machine learning and expert human analysis. With MDR, our security team actively monitors, detects and responds to threats 24/7, allowing organisations to focus on their core business while maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture. By integrating Sophos Firewall and MDR, we provide end-to-end security coverage that aligns with the Kingdom’s strategic goals for a resilient and secure digital infrastructure.
Tell us about your regional commitment in terms of expanding reach through partnerships.
We work hand-in-hand with local partners and organizations to develop and implement strategies tailored to Saudi Arabia’s specific needs. Our regional presence ensures that businesses and government institutions receive the expertise and support required to stay ahead of emerging threats.
