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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.
Dhruva will adopt the Ryan brand across the UAE and Saudi Arabia by the end of 2026, uniting the practice with Ryan’s global identity and international platform.
Dhruva, a leading tax consultancy firm in the Middle East, and Ryan, a leading global tax services and software provider, today announced that Dhruva will transition to the Ryan brand across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The rebranding will be completed by the end of 2026, bringing the practice under Ryan’s global identity and reinforcing its position as part of the world’s leading global-scale specialist in business tax.
The transition marks the next phase of the strategic joint venture announced in 2025 and reflects the continued integration of Dhruva’s regional capabilities with Ryan’s global platform, technology, and international resources. Clients across the Middle East will continue to benefit from the same trusted advisory teams, enhanced by access to Ryan’s worldwide expertise and service capabilities.
“The Middle East has been a strategic growth market for us for many years, and we have built a strong advisory practice founded on deep client relationships, technical excellence, and local market understanding,” said Dinesh Kanabar, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Dhruva Advisors and Vice Chairman, Ryan.
“The transition to the Ryan brand marks a significant milestone in our journey and reflects the strength of our partnership. By combining our regional expertise with Ryan’s global scale, technology, and international capabilities, we are creating an even stronger platform to support clients across the region as they navigate an increasingly dynamic and evolving tax landscape.”
“The Middle East is one of the most important growth markets for tax advisory services globally, and we are investing in the region with a long-term view,” said Tom Shave, President of Ryan’s European and Asia-Pacific Operations. “Uniting under the Ryan brand strengthens how we serve clients across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Europe—bringing seamless access to our global expertise, technology, and international resources through one trusted platform. This transition marks an important milestone in our integration and reinforces our commitment to the region’s future.”
Ryan will continue to invest in its Middle East operations, expanding its team, capabilities, and regional presence across key markets, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh. The practice provides comprehensive tax advisory services spanning corporate tax, value-added tax (VAT) and indirect tax, transfer pricing, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) tax structuring, research and development (R&D), and cross-border compliance.
“The response from our clients over the past year has been the clearest validation of this partnership,” said Nimish Goel, Leader, Middle East, Dhruva, a Ryan Affiliate. “From the outset, our teams have been integrating Ryan’s global capabilities in technology, specialized expertise, and best practices into the work we already lead in the region. Adopting the Ryan brand is the natural next step. It is the same people and the same trusted relationships, now carrying the name of the largest Firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business taxes.”
The rebranding will be implemented in phases during the second half of 2026, with signage, visual identity, and digital properties transitioning to the Ryan brand across the region.
News
GFH Partners Manrre REIT (CEIC) PLC and Palmon Group unveil new temperature-controlled chemical warehouse in JAFZA
GFH Partners Manrre REIT (CEIC) PLC (“Manrre” or “the Fund”), managed by GFH Partners Ltd. (“GFH Partners”), together with its development manager Palmon Group FZCO (“Palmon Group”), today announced the opening of a specialised temperature-controlled chemical warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), further expanding the Fund’s Grade A logistics portfolio.
The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Mr Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World GC, alongside senior officials and dignitaries from Jebel Ali Free Zone, GFH Partners, and Palmon Group.
Purpose-built and developed by Palmon Group to meet stringent international safety and compliance standards, the new facility reflects the rising regional demand for certified chemical storage infrastructure that supports manufacturing, energy, industrial services, and third-party logistics. The warehouse is situated on a 180,000sq ft plot with a built-up area of 112,000 sq ft, divided into three temperature-controlled chambers that reach a maximum height of 13 metres. The warehouse has been designed with advanced Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR), and in-rack sprinkler systems to ensure safety and resilience across all operations.
The facility’s layout allows storage of a diverse range of hazard-classified chemicals. One chamber is configured for UN Class 3 and 4 chemicals, a second accommodates UN Class 5 chemicals, while the third has been developed for UN Class 6, 8, 9 and non-regulated materials. The warehouse offers capacity for 17,400 pallets and includes nine loading docks and three loading bays. The office space has been intentionally limited to three percent of the total built-up area, maximising operational efficiency and warehouse utility.
Speaking on the launch, Kunal Lahori, CEO of Palmon Group and Board Member of Manrre, said: “This new facility brings together precision engineering, regulatory compliance, and long-term value creation. Specialised chemical storage requires a high degree of control and risk management, and we have developed this warehouse to meet those expectations while offering flexibility and scalability for tenants. As one of the earliest developers in Jafza, Palmon Group remains committed to supporting the UAE’s logistics and industrial growth.”
Mohamed Ali, Head of GCC at GFH Partners, said: “The opening of this warehouse marks another important milestone in the expansion of the GFH Partners Manrre REIT portfolio, particularly in mission-critical industrial and logistics assets that serve high-growth sectors. The UAE continues to see strong demand for specialised storage solutions, and this facility reinforces our strategy to develop resilient, future-ready assets that deliver long-term value for our investors.”
The logistics hub is now fully operational and is leased to Safe Logistics. The new facility is expected to play a significant role in strengthening regulated supply chains and supporting Dubai’s position as one of the region’s foremost logistics and industrial hubs.
Big Ticket, the largest and longest-running guaranteed raffle draw in the Middle East (known for cash prizes, dream luxury cars, gold bars and coins) has joined the DP World International League T20 Season 4 as an Official Partner.
In recent years, Big Ticket has become more than just a raffle, it has gained the reputation of being a brand built around rewarding dreams and celebrating ambition, growing into one of the region’s largest and one of the most anticipated monthly draws in the UAE.
DP World ILT20 – the 34-match cricketing extravaganza – the biggest T20 tournament in the region featuring some of the most renowned global cricket stars is currently being played at the Dubai International Stadium, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
DP World ILT20 Head of Partnerships Ishan Chopra: “We are delighted to welcome a UAE born raffle giant like Big Ticket as an Official Partner of the DP World ILT20. Their legacy of helping dreams come true aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering unforgettable, fan-first experiences across the league. This partnership strengthens our commitment to creating moments of excitement both on and off the field, and we look forward to elevating Season 4 together. With a household name like Big Ticket on board, we are confident of unlocking even more opportunities for fans to engage, celebrate and go All In for Cricket.”
Meanwhile, DP World ILT20 match tickets across all categories are available for the remaining tournament matches. Various spectator stand tickets start at AED 20 and hospitality packages start from AED 325. Fans can also book the new Sixes Lounge experience for AED 395, which includes unlimited food and beverages. Tickets can be purchased by visiting tickets.ilt20.ae or Virgin Megastores.
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