News
SonicWall’s new initiatives to enable SMB channel
SonicWall announced today that over 10,000 partners have already registered as SonicWall resellers since the SonicWall SecureFirst Partner Program was announced on November 1, 2016, following its spin-off as a separate independent company. Today SonicWall also introduced two initiatives designed to help these partners secure customers in the shifting cyber arms race – SonicWall University to train partners on cybersecurity, and new global marketing programs and incentives to help the SonicWall channel deliver their cybersecurity solutions and services for small and medium-size businesses (SMBs).
Partners have registered for SecureFirst from 90 countries, underscoring the global nature of the cyber arms race and the extensive reach of SonicWall’s channel. According to the company, record numbers of partners have participated in SonicWall educational events, including attendance at SonicWall Virtual PEAK Performance in March 2017 which more than doubled year-over-year to over 1,300 partners.
“The response from SonicWall’s channel partners to our spin out far exceeded even our own expectations,” said Bill Conner, President and CEO, SonicWall. “We’re excited that 10,000 partners have already joined the SecureFirst Partner Program and pleased to welcome 2,000 new partners to SonicWall. Today, we are announcing major investments in education and marketing to help enable these 10,000 partners to assist their customers with securing their business. We know these cyber threats are shifting and small to medium-size businesses are increasingly becoming targets, but they often lack in-house expertise and rely on trusted partners to keep their infrastructure secure.”
SonicWall has also made unprecedented investments in mining and analysing data collected by the SonicWall Global Response Intelligent Defense (GRID) Threat Network which collects real-time data from more than a million sensors worldwide. Many small to medium-size businesses are extremely shorthanded when it comes to having the resources on hand to address these new advanced threats. Information security non-profit ISACA predicts a shortage of two million cybersecurity professionals by 2019. Partners are invaluable IT consultants helping SMBs put in place the technologies to detect and prevent security breaches, but partners continue to clamour for more focused real-time education.
To address the lack of trained cybersecurity resources available to SMBs and enable SonicWall partners to provide the best real-time industry offerings to their customers, SonicWall unveiled today SonicWall University. This channel enablement program is designed as an extension of the SecureFirst Partner Program, helping communicate insights SonicWall has gleaned from the SonicWall GRID Threat Network to the partner community in a structure they can learn from easily.
More than 5,600 individuals in the SonicWall channel already have earned technical certifications through existing SonicWall certification programs which will continue. Now partners can also access SonicWall University with rich enablement content, tools and resources delivered via an on-demand, web-based platform. SonicWall University highlights include specialised, role-based training and accreditation tailored to the three different audiences of sales, systems engineers and support team members. This opens up training to new audiences beyond traditional post-sales technical certification.
All of the training modules SonicWall uses to educate its own employees are now available to partners, and will be updated regularly with up-to-the-minute content based on the SonicWall GRID Threat Network.
In addition to the curriculum developed by SonicWall, third-party content from industry sources as well as SonicWall partner-contributed content will be hosted. SonicWall expects this partner-to-partner collaboration and enablement to scale up significantly and accelerate knowledge transfer for all who participate.
“Since SonicWall became an independent company focused 100 percent on cybersecurity solutions and 100 percent on channel fulfilment, we have seen a massive spike in partner engagement,” said Steve Pataky, Vice President, Worldwide Security Sales, SonicWall. “The interest partners have shown in the SecureFirst Partner Program, and the early buzz by partners about today’s launch of SonicWall University, underscores just how big of a priority high-quality enablement is to continuing to deliver the best possible security solutions through our partners. With these enablement programs, customers can turn to any one of our army of 10,000 proven and fortified partners to protect themselves against shifting cybersecurity threats.”
In addition to SonicWall University, SonicWall unveiled today a major marketing campaign in response partner requests to help educate prospective and current customers on the most pressing cyber threats today. Partners can access prepackaged campaign materials and apply for market development funds online through a new SonicWall Partner Portal. Partners can earn special discounts and rebates for using these programs to drive business.
The goal of the campaign is to help partners educate their customers on how to best protect their infrastructure from today’s cybersecurity threats. SonicWall’s next-generation, real-time cyber defense platform, which is built on a cloud-based multi-engine sandbox that captures malware to not only identify but also automatically block advanced threats. This capability is uniquely designed to help SMBs who lack the internal resources to pore through volumes of data on potential threats and react in time to prevent security breaches. SonicWall’s new marketing campaign will help educate SMBs on the three most prominent threats, identified in the SonicWall 2017 Annual Threat Report. These include how to stop ransomware, using multi-engine cloud-based sandboxing; how to protect against SSL and TLS encrypted threats using a next generation firewall with SSL/TLS Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) and how to catch advanced phishing and other email-borne attacks using an email security solution with multi-engine cloud based sandboxing.
Hospitality
C2 Licensed District at City Walk Welcomes 3 New Casual Dining Hotspots
City Walk, Dubai’s premier lifestyle destination by Merex Investment, has added three new restaurants to its licensed dining district, C2, providing even more diverse options for family and friends to enjoy quality time together. As the weather gets better, it’s the perfect time to spend lively evenings outdoors on alfresco terraces with loved ones.
Since its debut in January 2024, C2 has quickly established itself as the city’s go-to destination for elevated dining experiences, with its eight original culinary concepts – Baku Cafe, Brass Monkey, Daikan Izakaya, L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele, Mythos Urban Green Eatery, Nola Bijou Bistro & Bar, Primi Cucina Italian, and Rare Cocktail Bar & Modern Brasserie – setting the tone for diverse and memorable dining.
Adding to the vibrant culinary landscape of C2, two new hotspots have already opened their doors, each offering a unique and globally inspired dining experience. La Serre enchants visitors with its Parisian-style boulangerie, café, and bistro, delivering the charm of European farm-to-table dining right to Dubai. Nox offers a dynamic blend of laid-back dining with high-energy parties, creating the perfect atmosphere for unforgettable nights with friends.
The excitement continues as Myata Platinum is set to open in the coming weeks, promising a sophisticated lounge experience with a diverse international menu crafted to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
These new additions create the perfect setting for any occasion, from casual lunches to elegant evening gatherings. To experience these culinary journeys firsthand, diners can enjoy a range of theme nights and offers.
City Walk brings together retail, dining, entertainment, hospitality, wellness, and automotive services, making it the desired location for visitors seeking unique and memorable experiences. Serving as a hub for the surrounding neighbourhoods of Downtown Dubai, DIFC, and Business Bay, it offers diverse dining options that seamlessly transition from day to night. With the addition of C2, its licensed dining district, City Walk provides an ideal urban setting to relax, recharge, and enjoy quality time.
Hospitality
Get Ready For Sur.Dubai: The Ultimate Destination For Seafood Lovers Coming Soon
Sur.Dubai, Dubai’s newest upscale seafood restaurant, is set to make its mark on the region’s diverse dining scene this November. Specializing in seafood and more, the restaurant masterfully blends the authenticity of Mediterranean and coastal cuisines with a contemporary twist. Offering a fresh, innovative take on beloved regional favorites, Sur.Dubai promises a dining experience that will leave a lasting impression on discerning palates.
Located in the vibrant UPTOWN/DMCC district, one of Dubai’s premier new destinations, Sur.Dubai is poised to become a must-visit for food lovers in search of bold, flavorful dishes. Inspired by Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, the restaurant masterfully blends coastal seafood with herbs and spices, offering diners a modern interpretation of timeless culinary traditions. By combining high-quality ingredients with creative culinary techniques and presentations, Sur.Dubai promises to deliver classic dishes with a distinctive flair, ensuring each plate reflects the freshness and lightness that define Mediterranean cuisine.
Guests can look forward to a flavorful adventure at Sur.Dubai, featuring an extensive selection of mouthwatering seafood dishes that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. From Grilled Fish and Seafood Mezze to Succulent Seabass and Tender Octopus, each dish is expertly crafted to deliver an extraordinary culinary journey that brings the taste of the sea to the heart of Dubai. For those non-seafood eaters, Sur.Dubai also caters to every palette, offering perfectly grilled lamb chops, flavorful baby chicken, and an exquisite selection of diverse, mouthwatering meats.
Ahmet Serdar Korukcu, President of Dorak Holding, expressed his enthusiasm for Sur.Dubai’s opening, mentioning. “We are delighted to introduce Sur.Dubai to the vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Dubai. This is a major milestone for Dorak Holding as we expand our presence in one of the world’s most dynamic culinary and cultural landscapes. Looking ahead, we are excited to announce our plans for taking Sur.Dubai global, leveraging our expertise in tourism to bring this unique concept to new markets. Thank you for being part of this journey as we continue to push boundaries and deliver exceptional, world-class experiences to our valued customers worldwide.”
Hospitality
Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA Announces New Hotel Openings
Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA proudly announces the successful unveiling of its latest developments at Future Hospitality Summit World 2024. The summit, held from September 30 to October 2 at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, attracted over 1,500 industry leaders from across the world. The summit, held from September 30 to October 2 at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, attracted over 1,500 industry leaders from across the world, marking it as one of the largest gatherings of hospitality professionals to date.
“We were delighted to participate in Future Hospitality Summit World 2024,” said Mr. Konstantinos Michail, Chief Commercial Officer, Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA. “The event provided a valuable platform for us to announce our expansion plans, connect with industry leaders, share our expertise, and explore new growth opportunities.”
Major Announcements
The two new properties announced by Millennium Hotels & Resorts at FHS are Studio M Airport Muscat and Millennium Residences Saadiyat Island. These strategic additions to the company’s portfolio further solidify its presence in the Middle East and Africa region.
Millennium Residences Saadiyat Island
Just a minute’s walk from the pristine white sandy beaches of Saadiyat Island, Millennium Residences offers an invigorating retreat for families, couples, and solo travellers seeking both short and extended stays. The property features an infinity pool, a fully equipped gym, and 85 beautifully designed studios, alongside spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments with breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf.
Studio M Airport Muscat
Nestled in Al Seeb, just 11 KM from Muscat International Airport, Studio M Airport Muscat presents a stylish urban retreat for both leisure and business travelers. The hotel masterfully combines modern design with innovative technology and is conveniently located near City Centre Mall and various attractions, including beaches ideal for wakeboarding and Al Mouj Marina for diving and sailing.
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