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Information Security solutions vendor Paladion is betting big on the Middle East, with major investments in the region that has seen more than its fair share of online threats. CEO Rajat Mohanty and Firosh Ummer, Managing Director, MEA, discuss this regional strategy
There’s a lot more awareness and concern today in the Middle East of online threats. What is driving this renewed vigilance?
RM: The security situation has changed considerably in the Middle East in recent years and the conversation around online security has shifted sharply. This is primarily driven by a few factors chief among them a rise in the number of attacks on targets in the Middle East coming courtesy of state actors as well as organized hacking groups. There have also been a lot of threats targeting financial transactions and institutions. Subsequently, there has also been a lot more awareness and education on the threat landscape and the vulnerabilities that exist. A lot of this awareness is driven by vendors like Paladion with the message targeted not just at CIOs, but at business owners as well.
FU: In the last few years, there have been several hacking incidents in the region, some politically motivated and targeting critical infrastructure like oil & gas. There have also been several attacks on ME financial institutions. The region is currently at the centre of global attention as a result of the awarding of Expo 2020 to Dubai as well as football World Cup in Qatar. That interest however also tends to attract unwanted attention from hackers. In addition, an increasing number of people are simply getting online whether to access public or private resources online. There are risks associated with that-now you have application issues, infrastructure protection concerns etc. These are the priorities for a lot of organizations here.
How does Paladion handle these threats that is different from the norm
RM: Our focus is to help companies build internal capabilities to defend themselves. We do not simply sell tools to be installed by organizations and then leave them to fend for themselves. That will not build the capability organizations need to effectively defend themselves. This type of capability comes when you know how to use those tools and the process around it, then having the requisite people skills for it and finally having in place a long term programme to continuously harness those resources. Thus, as a company, we provide the managed security solution which we either build for the customer or offer it remotely via the cloud. At the end of the day, wherever there’s a problem organizations want to solve, our objective is to put together a holistic way to solve the problem. We work with multiple parties to bring the right technology, but our focus remains to help the customer get the capability to defend against threats. Whether organizations have been attacked or not, they need to have the capability to prevent any kind of attack.
Discuss how you offer your managed security solution and how this is a better delivery model for Paladion solutions
FU: We want to be recognized as a one-stop-shop for Managed Security services. We make sure that our customers’ security preparedness is intact to protect them from known and emerging threats. Paladion Managed Security offering is delivered in co-source and in-source models. It is delivered with a mix of both the onsite and off-site teams that leverage existing investment in security technologies at the customer premises. For management of risks, Paladion brings in its repository of risk and controls, security tools and automated processes. Managed Security services are offered in a modular manner with the following components-Managed Governance, Risk and Compliance; Managed Security Operation Centre; Managed Testing and Assurance and; Managed Identity and Access.
RM: We are also in the process of launching a cloud product for our managed security for which we will be going primarily through our reseller partners. For large enterprises, we go with one-to-one deals.
Discuss Paladion’s market strategy for the MEA region and the importance of the region to company’s bottom-line
RM: The Middle East is one of the most potential markets in the world right now. We are thus making a lot of investments here. We seek to set-up a Security Operations Centre here in Dubai. Like aforementioned, we are setting up the cloud operations where we will be working with resellers and value added service providers in the region. We are also increasing our people here having doubled the workforce here in the Middle East in the last year. The industry is expected to grow at between 20-23% YoY while Paladion as a company has set up aggressive targets for us by increasing our investments. We want to see ourselves growing much more than the market average.
FU: Paladion’s strategy in the Middle East is to consolidate more of the existing markets like UAE, Saudi and Qatar by bringing more capabilities like the local monitoring centre we are in the process of setting up. The second front is to expand into the African market. We already have ongoing projects in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. So the strategy moving forward is to consolidate where we are stronger, bring more capabilities and take a market leadership position at the same time. We will work on the partnership model in new markets to learn about markets before we venture directly into these markets.
Discuss future offerings from Paladion and expected impact in the market
RM: Apart from the Cloud-managed security, we are implementing security intelligence solutions using machine learning to understand how security performs in real time. For a typical organization that has set up multiple security products in their environment that are producing a lot of data, it’s not feasible to have teams of people sitting and analysing the same. The solution is having machines that can do the analysing for them. So we are bringing a solution that is based on machine-learning to understand security and provide action-level intelligence.
Ardee Developments has announced the launch of sales for Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island, its highly anticipated branded residential offering in partnership with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
Official sales will commence on 1 June 2025 with expression of interest starting 15 May 2025, marking a major milestone in the evolution of Ardee Al Marjan Island, the company’s flagship, multi-billion-dirham development set to redefine coastal living in Ras Al Khaimah.
Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island will comprise 523 upscale residences — including apartments, townhouses, and sea villas — ranging from one to six bedrooms and spanning 86 m² to over 300 m². Every home is thoughtfully designed to embody refined beachfront living, with uninterrupted sea views and elegant interiors that reflect timeless sophistication.
Bringing together the prestige of the Fairmont brand with the ease of resort-style living, residents will enjoy exclusive access to a private beach, the Fairmont Fit Fitness Centre and Studio, family & kids pool, adults sky pool & terrace & bar, dedicated boardroom and private dining room, resident’s owners lounge as well as wellness facilities including treatment rooms, screening room, games room, kids club and seamless connectivity to the adjacent Fairmont resort.
Further enriching the offering is a tailored suite of à la carte services. From in-home catering and private chef experiences to childcare, dog walking, housekeeping, personal concierge support, and a home maintenance program while residents are away, every element is designed to simplify and enhance everyday living. In addition, residents will enjoy exclusive access to the Accor Owner Benefits Program. This includes Diamond status in the Accor Live Limitless (ALL) programme, the ability to gift Gold status to family and friends, and VIP privileges at over 5,700 hotels and resorts around the world.
With prices starting from AED 2.49 Million, Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island offers an exclusive opportunity for discerning buyers seeking long-term value, effortless luxury, and a lifestyle defined by exceptional quality in one of the region’s most iconic coastal destinations.
Beyond the residences, guests were given an exclusive look at the next phase of the Ardee Al Marjan Island masterplan. The development is progressing into a fully integrated coastal destination that blends residences, hospitality, leisure, retail, and entertainment on an unprecedented scale.
Key components of the masterplan include branded and serviced residences, private villas, townhouses, a flagship luxury hotel, and a vibrant retail and F&B promenade. The destination will also feature a variety of curated lifestyle offerings — from wellness hubs and gaming lounges to family entertainment zones and waterfront experiences — all designed to create a future-ready, immersive community.
Prioritizing walkability, nature access, and sea connectivity, the project will boast expansive green spaces, direct beach access, and panoramic views, setting a new standard for contemporary island living in Ras Al Khaimah.
Vishal Mehta, CEO of Ardee Developments, added: “As we prepare to open sales of Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island this June, we are proud to invite buyers into a community that reflects excellence at every level. In partnership with Al Marjan Island, Fairmont Hotels, and Christie’s International Real Estate, we are shaping a new era of luxury coastal living in Ras Al Khaimah — one defined by world-class design, hospitality, and lifestyle, brought together in a truly integrated destination.”
To support global sales efforts, Ardee Developments has appointed Christie’s International Real Estate Ras Al Khaimah as the exclusive master agency. Christie’s will lead GCC and international outreach and client servicing, ensuring a seamless buyer journey.
“This is a vibrant and integrated coastal lifestyle community that combines natural beauty, unparalleled hospitality and leisure not seen in the area before,” said Jackie Johns and Dinesh Chhatwani, Managing Partners at Christie’s International Real Estate Ras Al Khaimah. “Ras Al Khaimah’s momentum as a global hospitality and investment hub, and its rapidly growing real estate market, makes it the ideal launchpad for Ardee Developments to execute its grand vision.”
MERED outlined its long-term investment plans and strategic vision for Saudi Arabia at Saudi Giga Projects 2025 in Riyadh. The event, a key platform aligned with Vision 2030, brought together government bodies, giga project leaders, and private sector executives to discuss development, contracting, and talent-building opportunities within the Kingdom’s fast-growing construction and real estate sectors. As part of MERED’s participation, CEO Michael Belton joined a fireside chat where he shared insights into the company’s market entry approach and growth plans for the Saudi market.
“The Kingdom’s rapid urban and infrastructure growth is reshaping residential demand and creating new opportunities for long-term development,” said Michael Belton, CEO of MERED. “Vision 2030 and ongoing economic diversification are driving strong demand across residential, retail, commercial, and hospitality sectors, supported by investor-friendly reforms. In major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, we’re seeing increased interest in premium and luxury living, as well as growing demand for Class A office spaces that reflect the ambitions of a modern business environment. MERED is well-positioned to meet these changing market needs through high-quality, innovative developments that offer lasting value.”
Yazan Al-Khalidi, Chief Commercial Director at MERED, joined a panel alongside leading developers, consultants, and contractors to discuss workforce capabilities and the skills required to deliver Saudi Arabia’s giga projects efficiently and at scale. The Kingdom’s real estate sector is projected to contribute 10% to GDP by 2030, while non-oil economic activity now accounts for over 50% of national GDP. Knight Frank’s Saudi Report 2025 reveals that 93% of high-income Saudi nationals are actively seeking to buy property, reinforcing the country’s ambition to build a competitive luxury real estate market.
Alongside its growth plans in Saudi Arabia, MERED is supporting the development of future architectural talent in line with the region’s broader goal of equipping young people with in-demand skills. As part of this effort, the company is sponsoring a select group of students to attend the Pininfarina Architecture Summer School in Turin this July, through its partnership with the prestigious Pininfarina Academy, founded by the renowned Italian design house. The program offers hands-on training and exposure to international design practices, giving participants valuable experience they can apply to architectural projects across the region.
MERED’s participation underscores its broader commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s real estate ambitions through innovation, sustainability, and knowledge transfer. With a pipeline of projects already launched in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including the 290-meter ICONIC Residences designed by Pininfarina, the brand is well-positioned to introduce high-end, future-ready developments to the Saudi market.
Financial
HODL 2025 Opens in Dubai, Advancing the Emirates’ Position as a Global Financial Innovation Hub
HODL 2025, organised by Trescon officially opened recently at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi).
The prestigious two-day event follows the Dubai FinTech Summit that commenced on 12th May. During the Summit’s opening ceremony, His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), announced the launch of the inaugural Dubai Future Finance Week, scheduled for 2026. This flagship initiative will bring together major financial events—including Dubai FinTech Summit, Future Sustainability Forum, Private Capital Forum, Seamless Middle East, HODL Summit, and Dubai Future District Fund AGM—under a unified theme: “Pioneering tomorrow’s financial landscape: Innovation, sustainability, and global connectivity.”
“Being part of the upcoming Dubai Future Finance Week reflects our commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in the Web3 space,” said Mohammed Saleem, Founder & Chairman, Trescon. “We are proud to contribute to Dubai’s vision of becoming a global financial powerhouse.”
Crypto Rulebook: Toward Global Standards
A day 1 highlight was the expert panel “Crypto rulebook: Global best practices and regulatory measures”, moderated by Saqr Ereiqat, Secretary General, Dubai Digital Asset Association. Speakers included:
- Dyma Budorin, CEO, Hacken
- Samir Safar-Aly, MENA FinTech Association
- Erwin Voloder, European Blockchain Association
- Belal Jassoma, DMCC
“We want to have the best ecosystem for entrepreneurs to run their business.” — Dyma Budorin
“Regulations need to catch up and work together.” — Samir Safar-Aly
The discussion emphasized the need for global regulatory coherence and innovation-friendly compliance frameworks.
Insuring Web3: A $6 Trillion Opportunity
Another standout session, “Insuring the Future of Crypto: Bridging Risk & Innovation in the Digital Asset Economy”, spotlighted the crucial role of insurance in de-risking digital finance.
“Insurance has been a bedrock component of sustainability; it is a $6 trillion market.” — Joseph Ziolkowski
The panel explored how risk-aligned insurance solutions are key to unlocking institutional trust and long-term ecosystem resilience.
During his session, Cristian Ulloa, Co-Founder & CEO of Liquid Loans, Platinum sponsor of HODL 2025, shared valuable strategies for building wealth in crypto while steering clear of common pitfalls that lead to crypto regret.
Global Leaders on the HODL Stage
Day 1 also featured other prominent speakers sharing insights across DeFi, tokenisation, compliance, and blockchain banking including:
- Corbin Fraser, CEO, Bitcoin.com
- Nils Andersen-Röed, Global Head of FIU, Binance
- Gracy Chen, CEO, Bitget
- Rifad Mahasneh, CEO MENA, OKX
- Robert Crossley, Global Head, Franklin Templeton
- Joseph Ziolkowski, CEO, Relm Insurance
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