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SYMANTEC’S NEW ARSENAL TO FIGHT TARGETED ATTACKS

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10 years ago

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Updated : November 26, 2013 0:0  ,
By Stephen Trilling, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Symantec
Symantec bolsters targeted attack protection portfolio, network threat protection for Mac

Defending against sophisticated targeted attacks is now the norm, and it’s not just large companies that are being impacted. These state-sponsored attackers are going after smaller companies now too.  Why is that?  Well, small companies often have business relationships with larger companies that may be the ultimate target of attackers. And, because small companies may have fewer security safeguards than their larger partners, they make a good target for attackers.  So how can businesses – large and small – protect themselves against these sophisticated, targeted attacks?

The answer is through a combination of cutting-edge security technology and a vast intelligence network that monitors our Symantec customers’ networks, and the attackers, around the clock. Our aim is to block attacks no matter what their target is or how they try to get in – at your gateway, on the endpoint and in the data centre.  And we’re raising the bar every day.  I’m excited to discuss here two powerful new innovations that we’ve just added to Symantec’s arsenal against targeted attacks — Disarm in Symantec Messaging Gateway and Network Threat Protection in Symantec Endpoint Protection for Mac computers.

Why it matters

Developed by Symantec Research Labs, Symantec’s advanced research division, our new Disarm technology in Messaging Gateway 10.5 uses a first-of-a-kind technique to protect companies from targeted attacks. Most targeted attacks are now delivered in the form of malicious, but seemingly innocuous, documents delivered over email. Each such malicious document, e.g., a PDF, DOC or XLS file, contains an embedded attack, and when a victim simply views the document, their computer is automatically and silently compromised.

Traditional protection technologies attempt to scan documents for suspicious characteristics.  The problem is that many of these document-based attacks are purposefully crafted so they don’t look suspicious, and as a result, they go undetected. Disarm takes a whole new approach. Instead of scanning the document, it essentially makes a digital harmless “carbon copy” of every incoming email attachment/document, delivering this carbon copy to the recipient, rather than the original, potentially malicious document. The result is that the recipient is never exposed to the attacker’s malicious attachment. And the technology is extremely effective. According to Symantec research, the Disarm technology would have blocked 98 percent of attacks that exploit zero-day document vulnerabilities thus far in 2013 – these are attacks that were entirely unknown and would therefore have likely evaded all traditional scanners, heuristics, emulators and even Virtual Execution (VX) solutions. Learn more about Disarm and Symantec Messaging Gateway here.

At the endpoint, Symantec has added its advanced Network Threat Protection technology to the Mac version of our Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1.4. Many Mac users think they’re impervious to attacks, and as a result don’t take security seriously. But the reality is that this makes Mac users a potential goldmine for targeted attackers. Symantec’s Network Threat Protection technology intercepts incoming network traffic before it can impact your Mac, looking for targeted attack exploits and automatically blocking them. It uses a patented, application-level, protocol-aware Intrusion Prevention System to not only identify and block known attacks, but also identify and block many unknown or day-zero attacks. Learn more about the Mac threat landscape and network threat protection here.

Symantec’s Targeted Attack Protection Powered by Unmatched Expertise, Global Intelligence

In addition to these new innovative technologies, Symantec’s security solutions are powered by the Symantec Global Intelligence Network (GIN) and a team of more than 550 researchers around the world. Symantec’s GIN platform collects anonymous telemetry from Symantec’s hundreds of millions of customers and sensors around the clock. Symantec uses this data – more than 2.5 trillion rows of security telemetry – to automatically discover new attacks, and monitor attacker networks. We also use this data to develop predictive, proactive protection technologies, such as Symantec’s Insight reputation technology, for our gateway, endpoint and data centre offerings. Simply put, our expertise and global intelligence and visibility bring unmatched targeted attack protection for our customers.

Symantec’s Innovative Approach to Securing the Gateway

Symantec offers a number of different messaging protection options for customers, each with advanced targeted attack protection. In addition to Symantec Messaging Gateway, which is an on-premise solution, Symantec also offers proactive targeted attack email protection via our Email Security.cloud service. This innovative, hosted service automatically filters all of your inbound and outbound email without requiring you to deploy any software or hardware in your network. Email Security.cloud offers highly advanced targeted attack protection using a number of technologies, like SKEPTIC and Real-Time Link Following.

SKEPTIC uses thousands of extremely sensitive sensors to scrutinize every email and email attachment entering or leaving your network, preventing literally tens of thousands of confirmed targeted attack attempts every year. SKEPTIC is used in conjunction with Email Security.cloud’s link-following technology. This innovative system automatically connects to suspicious URLs embedded in emails to see were they lead. Should a link lead to a targeted attack site that attempts to compromise the email recipient’s computer, the email is automatically blocked. This URL validation technology happens in real-time, before the email is delivered to the recipient, ensuring that they are protected, rather than simply informing the administrator after-the-fact.

Of course targeted attackers will try every attack vector at their disposal. Often, these attackers will contact your employees through social networks (visited via the web browser) and use this to infiltrate their machines, and subsequently your network. Symantec Web Gateway (SWG) – an innovative product that monitors all inbound and outbound web traffic – is designed to detect and block targeted attacks. SWG now leverages our patented Symantec Insight technology to automatically discover “low-reputation” files and block them before they can reach your users. Insight leverages the anonymous software adoption patterns of Symantec’s hundreds of millions of customers to automatically discover and assign a security classification to every single software file, good or bad, on the planet. It essentially uses the “wisdom of the crowds” to learn which software is trusted by users across the world, and which software is avoided or has never been seen before. Since targeted attackers use mutated and custom-crafted malware to evade traditional virus fingerprints, heuristics, emulators and Virtual Execution (VX) systems, technology like Insight is one of the only known ways to identify and block these attacks.

Symantec’s Unique Technologies Protecting the Endpoint

To protect your PCs and laptops against targeted attacks, Symantec Endpoint Protection includes powerful technologies, such as Network Threat Protection, Insight and SONAR. Network Threat Protection analyses incoming network data before it is processed by the user’s machine. As such, it can block inbound targeted attacks before they even have a chance to interact with the user or with vulnerable software on machines in your network. Symantec Endpoint Protection uses Symantec Insight to automatically block inbound software files that have a low reputation (this is the product’s default blocking policy). Finally, our patented SONAR technology automatically monitors the behaviours of all software running on protected endpoints, analysing each application’s behaviours in real-time as it runs to identify software that behaves like a targeted attack. In the last year, more than 50 percent of the all threats stopped by Symantec were stopped by these three, proactive, non-signature based technologies.

Symantec’s Solution to Protect the Physical and Virtual Data Centre

Finally, Symantec also protects your critical assets and information in the datacenter. Symantec offers Symantec Critical System Protection (CSP), a server lockdown solution designed to protect both physical and virtual infrastructure. You can install and configure CSP so it only allows known-legitimate activities on your servers and blocks all other (anomalous) activities. If a targeted attacker does compromise a server, they must – by definition – perform activities that will deviate from the norm in order to access sensitive data on the machine, or elsewhere in the data centre. CSP automatically detects and blocks those deviations, stopping the attack automatically. Only your approved software programs are allowed to run, and those programs are only allowed to perform approved behaviours, access approved resources, etc.

Symantec works around the clock to secure our customers from targeted attacks. As you’ve read, we already have a comprehensive portfolio of targeted attack defences. And we’re raising the bar every day. Our innovative new Disarm technology for Symantec Messaging Gateway and the addition of Network Threat Protection (application and protocol-aware IPS) to our Symantec Endpoint Protection for Mac product are just the latest additions to our industry-leading protection technologies.

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Free Mineral Water for All: UAE Startup to Launch Groundbreaking Public Hydration Initiative

Published

2 months ago

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June 3, 2025

By

Ourwatr

Staying hydrated just got easier, and greener, thanks to Ourwatr, that’s launching a nationwide free mineral water programme starting June 2025. It’s a first in the region: clean, refreshing mineral water made freely available across the country, delivered through a unique model that blends sustainability, community care, and social impact.

From metro stations and shopping malls to parks and government offices, thousands of chilled bottles of mineral water, sourced locally from Dibba, Fujairah, will soon be within everyone’s reach, every day. Ourwatr’s mission is simple: hydration is a right, not a privilege.

“At Ourwatr, we believe that drinking water should be accessible to all,” says Abhinav Murali, Co-founder.

“That’s why we’re giving away premium mineral water for free, and every bottle supports communities in need. It’s hydration with heart, proudly made right here in the UAE.”

Stamp of UAE quality

All Ourwatr bottles carry the prestigious EQM (Emirates Quality Mark) certification, guaranteeing they meet strict UAE national and international quality standards. When you grab a bottle, you’re assured of top-quality water, safe, pure, refreshing and approved by the country’s standardisation authority.

Mission in a bottle

With temperatures rising across the UAE, especially during summer, access to clean drinking water is more important than ever, for workers, families, children, and the elderly alike.

“In our desert climate, hydration isn’t just healthy; it’s life-saving,” adds co-founder Bharath Mohan.
“Each bottle we provide is a small act of kindness toward our community.”

Ourwatr is more than just a startup, it’s a mission in a bottle. Launched by three young, UAE-based entrepreneurs, the idea was sparked by a simple but powerful observation: access to free, convenient hydration isn’t always a given.

Wanting to change that, the trio built a business with heart at its core. The team is also in talks with various UAE charitable organisations and government agencies to expand its reach and impact. For every bottle distributed, a portion will be donated to local charities, turning everyday hydration into a meaningful act of giving.

A Model Built on Purpose and Sustainability
Ourwatr isn’t just about water, it’s about doing good. Instead of selling to consumers, the company partners with brands and organisations who cover the production and distribution costs. In return, sponsors co-brand the bottles, using them as a platform to share positive messages and shared values, while making a real difference.

“Sustainability isn’t just about less waste,  it’s about creating lasting, meaningful change,” explains Sharat Nair, Co-founder.

The bottles are crafted from recyclable materials, aligning with the UAE’s zero-waste goals and green agenda.

Backing UAE Vision 2030
Ourwatr’s initiative supports the UAE’s Vision 2030 goals around health, sustainability, and quality of life. The startup is already collaborating with local authorities to expand water access and reach as many people as possible.

More than just water, Ourwatr is delivering hope, equality, and care, one bottle at a time.

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Ardee Developments Announces Sales Launch for Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island

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2 months ago

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May 16, 2025

By

Ardee Al Marjan

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.”

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MERED Unveils Strategic Vision for Saudi Arabia at Saudi Giga Projects 2025

Published

2 months ago

on

May 16, 2025

By

MERED

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.

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