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SAFE MEASURES

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Updated : February 5, 2015 0:0  ,
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3WatchGuard Technologies has been a consistent leader in the UTM space and has made significant enhancements in its Technologies and partner engagement. Fabrizio Croce, Area Director, SEMEA at Watchguard Technologies discusses the trends and the company’s focus


Do you see UTM adoptions still on the rise?

The UTM appliances are becoming more powerful, faster and are available at lesser costs. Earlier generations may have been unable to support advances services which is no longer the case and these can handle new kinds of threats including APT.

It is not easy to be dealing with different vendors for different security solutions. The UTM takes away that hassle and brings a single point reference, a one point of control.

How do you see Watchguard faring in the region?

We have a growing market share. It is however a very competitive market. Our appliances deliver high performance and are easy to deploy and use. Even without expertise in networking and security, our appliances can be easily deployed.

We are one of the Market leaders from the Gartner report. WatchGuard has been named a “Leader” in Gartner’s 2014 Unified Threat Management (UTM) Magic Quadrant for the fifth consecutive year. WatchGuard was also named a “Champion,” and has been awarded the “Value” and “Trend Setter” awards for its XTM Series in Info-Tech Research Group’s 2014 NGFW (Next Generation Firewall) Vendor Landscape Report. We got the NSS Labs recommendation for the XTM 1525 as one of the top-rated Next Generation Firewalls (NGFW) based on a real-world comparative analysis. According to the report, the XTM 1525 blocked 96.7 percent of attacks against server applications, 98.7 percent of attacks against client applications, and 97.8 percent overall. It proved effective against all evasion techniques tested and passed all the stability and reliability tests.

How do such third party reports help?

There is a lot of attention to Analyst reports here. This kind of third party validation is critical to our customers in instilling confidence they are choosing market leading solutions.

We have the capability to provide both UTM and the NGFW with the same appliance. Sometimes what the analysts say is far from accurate but they give directions to the industry. NGFW only includes IPS and application control in addition. In larger organizations, IPS and AV are separate solutions with several vendors and appliances.

What are some of the unique features of the WatchGuard Firebox M440 that you showcased at GITEX?

We launched the WatchGuard Firebox M440 which delivers 25 1 Gb Ethernet ports, eight that deliver Power over Ethernet (PoE), plus two 10 Gb SFP+ (fiber) ports. The Firebox M440 with its multiple ports removes the need for complex configurations such as VLANs and simplifies the critical process of applying traffic-appropriate policies across multiple network segments.

We also announced Firebox M400 and M500 appliances, based on the latest Intel Pentium and Intel Celeron Processors. These are specifically engineered for mid-size and distributed enterprises, which are struggling to effectively and affordably secure networks in the face of explosive growth in bandwidth rates, connection speeds and encrypted traffic. These solutions are powerful to run all their engines in parallel without any bottlenecks.

What have been the advances in your visibility tool? How has it been received by customers?

WatchGuard’s visibility solution, Dimension, first launched in late 2013, provides real-time, single-pane-of-glass view of the effect each policy is having on that segment’s traffic. The latest version of dimension includes the industry’s first interactive, integrated policy mapping capability for Unified Threat Management (UTM) and Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) appliances. Policy Map provides a complete view of traffic flow and policy impact across the entire network and also provide the ability to quickly filter or drill down for additional detail and analysis. It aggregates disparate information about policies, interfaces, applications and related traffic flows, and presents it in a simple, intuitive and interactive visualization dashboard. It can be used for policy audits, to find active and misconfigured policies, to identify unusual/abnormal traffic patterns, to visually check if firewall policies or configuration changes have the intended impact on traffic patterns and much more. It comes free on any WatchGuard UTM or NGFW platform.

WatchGuard Dimension has been received well by customers and has seen strong market adoption. Customers have been using the network security visibility tool to monitor and gain critical and timely insights about network security threats, bandwidth and Internet usage, as well as related traffic trends.

Discuss your current partner program?

From the channel program perspective, we offer Watchguard One as our partner program. It ties higher margins to higher customer service levels and allows resellers to get unprecedented combined discounts of more than 70 percent. The program leverages a value-based model that places additional focus on reseller certification and training in addition to simply volume sales.  It includes additional profit sharing partner programs, such as Deal Registration and Security Pays.

WatchGuardONE delivers a variety of membership levels including Silver, Gold and Platinum and the difference is the number of employee certified on our Technologies. Discounts and rebates vary depending on the partner’s level of commitment.

The program has greater stress on skill and certifications than sales targets. We are focusing on very skilled partners that can constantly work on our products and support our customers. We are not keen on working with partners that are only opportunity focused and active occasionally.

How have the software versions of your solutions been accepted?

We have software versions of our appliances for the virtual deployments. They have exactly the same features. You save on the hardware costs, space and cooling costs. You can choose to deploy a mix of hardware and virtual appliances, operating together and managed from a common centralized management platform. There is a shift in favor of the virtual but it varies from region to region.

WatchGuard virtualized solutions address the challenges that are faced by enterprises today, and how to tackle them successfully. Through our virtual appliances XTMv (Extendible Threat Management) and XCSv (Extensible Content Security) we offer virtual security deployment options for businesses of all sizes. This is important because virtual environments cannot depend on physical infrastructure alone for protection. Whether organizations are looking to virtualize traditional gateway firewalls or integrate virtual security with messaging and application servers.

Discuss how you enable all your modules to offer best capabilities?

In our devices, we decided to have best of breed modules. Our UTM and NGFW security appliances run on Fireware, a complete security platform designed to run full versions of the leading security engines in every category. Our best-of-breed security tools include DLP, APT, Intrusion Prevention, Reputation Enabled Defense, spamBlocker, Gateway AntiVirus, WebBlocker, Application Control and Packet Filtering. Where we aren’t the experts, we have partnerships with best of breed suppliers to include their solution. This is the case for AV solutions as is for IPS and Application control. For AV solutions, we have Kaspersky and AVG. For IPS and Application control, we have Trend Micro. We are very careful about what the market is demanding. Now we are working to enhance our wireless capabilities such as Hotspot services, for hospitality, airports etc. We continue to refresh our boxes, ensuring they are always offering state of the art technologies.

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Dhruva to Rebrand as Ryan Across the Middle East, Signaling Unified Global Brand

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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.

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GFH Partners Manrre REIT (CEIC) PLC and Palmon Group unveil new temperature-controlled chemical warehouse in JAFZA

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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.

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Big Ticket joins DP World ILT20 Season 4 as Official Partner

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A professional cricket player for the Desert Vipers in mid-swing during a match. The batsman is wearing a dark green and black patterned jersey with red accents, a red helmet, and black protective leg pads. He is holding a wooden cricket bat high in a follow-through motion after playing a shot. The background shows a crowded stadium with purple and blue seating and a "DP World" branded wicket.

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.

A cricket player from the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders standing at the crease, ready to receive a ball. The player is dressed in a purple and gold uniform with matching gold-colored leg pads and a gold helmet. He holds the bat upward in a standard batting stance. The stadium background features blue seats, a "UAE Cricket" sign, and another player in an orange uniform in the distance.

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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