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Acronis starts deployment of data protection technology at Scuderia Toro Rosso
Acronis, a global leader in hybrid cloud data protection and storage is commencing the implementation of the world’s fastest and most innovative data protection technology into Scuderia Toro Rosso’s IT infrastructure. Acronis and Scuderia Toro Rosso celebrated the occasion with over one hundred partners and IT service providers at the last race of the 2016 Formula 1 racing season in Abu Dhabi.
Scuderia Toro Rosso is currently building a new racing car, the STR12, in order to comply with the new set of technical regulations issued by the Formula 1 governing body, the FIA, earlier this year. While Toro Rosso’s factory has the capacity to design and manufacture most of the new car parts in its factory in Faenza, Italy, time constraints force the production team to outsource some of the manufacturing process to third party providers. This forces Toro Rosso to release parts of its intellectual property to outside vendors, exposing the need for a robust file sharing technology.
Scuderia Toro Rosso will address this need with Acronis Access Advanced. The new way of sharing sensitive data comes with advanced data security and user management features, which includes tracking user behavior and keeping comprehensive file access history.
The process of designing and testing the new car is entirely data driven. Scuderia Toro Rosso generates over 15TB of new data every day — 50 percent more compared to the volume generated only a year ago. This data needs to be stored and protected from tampering. Scuderia Toro Rosso will gradually optimize data storage by deploying Acronis Storage with Acronis Notary blockchain data watermarking mechanism, which will enable the Formula 1 racing team to validate the authenticity of important data in the future.
Scuderia also plans to deploy other data protection technology powered by Acronis Hybrid Cloud architecture. These include Acronis Backup to achieve the world’s fastest backup and restore speed, Acronis Disaster Recovery Service to guarantee business continuity in case of a natural disaster, such as earthquakes, which are frequent in the region where the factory is located, and Acronis Monitoring Service for comprehensive monitoring and rapid resolution of IT incidents.
Scuderia Toro Rosso Team Principal Franz Tost, says, “Acronis came on board in the middle of the season and it didn’t take long for their presence to make itself felt, as far as our IT department is concerned. Not only do we have to ensure that our data is protected and safe, we also want to access any part of it almost immediately in some situations, for example, when it comes to making a snap decision relating to race strategy. As leaders in hybrid cloud data protection, Acronis is able to meet both those requirements and we have already seen the benefits during the second half of the season.”
The partnership also promotes innovation and the delivery of new technologies through Acronis R&D centers in the U.S., Singapore, and Russia. This year Acronis released a number of innovative technologies to support the needs or motorsport teams and always-on businesses. These include Acronis Notary data notarization, Acronis CloudRAID software-define storage redundancy, Acronis Instant Restore data recovery technology, and much more.
“Acronis is delighted so far with the results that the Toro Rosso partnership has generated — it is becoming a win-win situation for both sides. Racing teams are extremely efficient in using the collected data for rapid innovation and developing new technology. Here at Acronis we do the same. This partnership has created a synergy that is beneficial not only for the racing industry, but for the entire business world that depends on data,” said Serguei Beloussov, Acronis’ Founder and CEO.
Acronis Technology has had some significant successes in the region’s market of late, providing simplified data storage and data protection for all businesses, which, like Scuderia Toro Rosso, rely on data availability.
For example, Belhasa, Dubai-based international consortium that has over 8,000 employees in 40 different locations in the Middle East, selected Acronis technology to protect a vast network of Windows servers and workstations.
“Acronis has cleverly solved the major pain points of managing our valuable, complex and distributed volume of data,” said Syed Abbas, Group Senior Systems Engineer with Belhasa International Company. “We can say with confidence that this backup solution gave us the best flexibility, with the lowest cost footprint on our existing platforms,” he added.
Acronis has embraced the Formula 1 values through its entire portfolio of solutions, which include the following products for consumers and service providers:
• Acronis True Image — #1 Personal Backup
• Acronis Backup 12 — #1 SMB Backup
• Acronis Backup Cloud — #1 Cloud Backup
• Acronis Storage — #1 Software Defined Storage
According to the vendor, the partnership with Scuderia Toro Rosso has already proved to be beneficial for partners and service providers using these products. In just five months since the beginning of this partnership, Acronis has hosted over 1,000 guests at the Acronis Racing Weekends with Scuderia Toro Rosso around the world. Following the races, Acronis partners reported increased interest in Acronis products, and improved sales.
This has also resulted in 50% Acronis partner growth globally, compared to the same period prior to the sponsorship. This includes new partnerships with Synapsys Systems and Innovix Distribution, key Cloud Service Providers in the African Region and Southeast Asia respectively.
In the APAC region, Acronis Cloud Business has grown over 50% YoY in 2016, currently amounting for over 20% of total revenue. From a Middle East and Africa regional standpoint, Acronis has seen its Cloud Business grow by 50% YoY in 2016 with consistent growth of enterprise and consumer backup products.
According to Gartner, public cloud services in the Middle East and North Africa region is forecasted to reach $880 million in 2016, an 18.3% growth compared to the year before.
According to the vendor, its new Hybrid Cloud Architecture is specifically designed to help partners and customer take control over their data, and Acronis has allocated sufficient local resources in every region, to support the market growth.
News
Big Ticket joins DP World ILT20 Season 4 as Official Partner
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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The Maritime Standard Awards 2025 winners list showcases high levels of innovation and operational excellence across the maritime sector
The maritime sector’s leading awards event, The Maritime Standard (TMS) Awards 2025, has announced this year’s winners, honoring outstanding companies and industry leaders from across the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent. The Awards showcased achievement and innovation in 25 categories covering shipping, logistics, ship repair, offshore services, marine technology and related sectors, as well as a series of special awards for individual achievement. The prestigious event took place at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai on October 29th, attracting over 1000 senior executives, decision-makers and industry leaders, from the region, and across the globe.
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, the event recognised organisations and individuals for setting new standards in operational excellence and leadership in the sector amid significant shifts in the industry, including decarbonisation, digitalization, and a renewed emphasis on supply chain resilience. From clean-fuel projects and AI-powered port operations to international collaborations that boost trade efficiency, the 2025 Awards showcased the industry’s progress in turning goals into tangible outcomes.
The evening was hosted by Yalda Hakim, a renowned international correspondent and documentary filmmaker, whose engaging presence added distinction to the occasion. The keynote address was delivered by Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO of ADNOC Logistics and Services, who shared valuable insights on the evolving maritime landscape and the UAE’s leadership in advancing sustainable and innovative practices across the sector.
Clive Woodbridge, Editor of The Maritime Standard and Chairman of the Judging Panel, stated, “This year’s competition was exceptionally tough, and we received an unprecedented number of entries across all categories. Each finalist demonstrated remarkable achievements and operational standards over the past year, which underlines the significant advances that continue to be made in the regional maritime sector.”
A rigorous assessment process was conducted as part of the award selections, and this was supervised by an independent panel of distinguished judges that included some of the most prominent names in the maritime industry.
Trevor Pereira, Managing Director of The Maritime Standard, commented, “These Awards are not just about celebrating success, but also about encouraging excellence. This year’s event recognised innovative concepts, exciting new initiatives, and outstanding performance standards. As the region continues to expand its maritime infrastructure and digital port systems, with significant developments across the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent, events like The Maritime Standard Awards play a key role in reinforcing its position as a global leader in shipping and maritime.”
Reaction from the individual winners on the night of October 29th was highly appreciative. Captain Mohamed Al Ali, Senior Vice President, Operations (Offshore Logistics), at ADNOC L&S, who received the Outstanding Achievement Award, added: “It was one of the greatest honours of my professional career to receive this Award. It really means a lot to me to have TMS recognise the years of dedication and hard work.”
Tony Dagher, the Founder and Managing Director of TMC Shipping Group was the recipient of the Young Person in Shipping and was similarly honoured. He said: “I have been fortunate to have had great support from many people during my journey in shipping, and to have a fantastic team around me now. This Award is as much for them as it is for me.
Over the past 12 years The Maritime Standard Awards has consolidated its standing as one of the most prominent annual gatherings within the global maritime calendar, gaining worldwide recognition for recognising excellence and promoting a more resilient and sustainable maritime future.

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Deep Dive Dubai Launches Sunken City Walk, a Cinematic Underwater Experience that Makes Adventure Just a Step Away
Deep Dive Dubai has unveiled its newest attraction for experience seekers with the launch of Sunken City Walk. The guided underwater activity invites guests to step into a cinematic cityscape filled with surreal details. From an underwater swing and motorbike to a café table that looks straight out of a movie scene, this is Dubai’s latest must-try attraction.

The hour-long journey begins with a full briefing and safety overview, followed by guests changing into wetsuits and equipment provided on-site. They then join trained instructors for a 20-minute guided underwater walk through the Sunken City—an accessible, certification-free experience that requires no swimming skills, making it ideal for guests aged 10 and above. Currently offered at an introductory price of AED 600, with an optional 30-second keepsake video for AED 200, the experience is currently available in four daily slots at 11 AM, 12 PM, 2pm, and 3pm.
Jarrod Jablonski, Director, Deep Dive Dubai, said that “With Sunken City Walk, we’re continuing to shape Dubai’s reputation as a city of unforgettable experiences. It’s a unique attraction that reflects Dubai’s spirit, where visitors can discover adventure in ways they never thought possible.”
The launch reflects a global trend that travellers are choosing experiences over possessions. Supporting this, Shamal’s Experience Economy Report stated that 75% of UAE residents are more willing to spend on experiences, with 80% allocating a dedicated monthly budget. The launch also aligns with Dubai’s commitment to strengthening its global tourism appeal. According to Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the city welcomed 9.88 million international visitors in the first half of 2025, a six percent increase year-on-year, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading lifestyle and tourism hubs. Sunken City Walk at Deep Dive Dubai adds a new way for visitors to experience the city’s spirit of reinvention, where adventure is always just a step away.
While Sunken City Walk offers a first taste of underwater adventure, guests can plunge into the incredible world of diving at Deep Dive Dubai, choosing from experiences such as scuba diving, freediving, and specialised diving courses.
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