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Cybersecurity Tips for a Safe Summer Vacation

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As the temperatures across the region rise, thousands of us are taking the opportunity to escape the summer heat – whether with a staycation, a visit to reconnect with loved ones in our home countries, or a long-haul adventure. These days, most travellers are naturally more vigilant of pickpockets and tourist scams. But what about those cybercriminals who never take a vacation? The experts at Cisco share their tips for cyber-safer travel.   

“In today’s digital age, technology provides us with unprecedented opportunities to make the most of our time away from home. Unfortunately, criminals can ruin what should be a fun time,” warns Fady Younes, Managing Director for Cybersecurity at Cisco Middle East & Africa. “Being aware of common attacks and ways of preventing them helps us enjoy our vacations without needing to worry about security.”

Physical Security

Consider the physical security of your devices. A device left at home is less likely to be lost or stolen. If a device is going to travel with you, take a back-up, upload any confidential information to secure storage, and remove it from local storage. Make sure that you have alternative access to critical functionality. For example, can you access two-factor authentication requests if your phone is lost or stolen?

When travelling, keep your devices securely out of sight. Be aware of your surroundings – thieves are adept at snatching devices in busy areas and spiriting them away when attentions are elsewhere.

Public WiFi Networks vs 4G/5G

When travelling, there is always the temptation to save on data roaming charges by joining public WiFi networks. However, it may be worth considering paying the extra tariffs to keep your data safe. If you do connect to WiFi, use a VPN to enhance security.

Shared public networks provide an ideal hunting ground for attackers, or an apparently free-to-use network may be a malicious decoy set up to dupe the unwary. A dubious character snooping a network can steal cookies or session tokens to gain access to your confidential services. Network traffic from financial or private apps can be intercepted or modified. Alternatively, a cybercriminal may create a man-in-the-middle attack to impersonate a key system and steal your credentials. 

Hotel Rooms and Home Rental

We all want to be comfortable in our surroundings and find a home away from home while travelling. However, when it comes to security and privacy, it’s worth applying a few extra precautions while in unfamiliar locations.  

Remember to log out of any devices, such as smart TVs, and not to store any credentials. Otherwise, subsequent guests may be able to access your accounts.

Be aware that room keys may have been cloned or stolen. Don’t leave valuables or devices unsecured even in a locked accommodation.

Similarly, respectable networks provided for guests may be accessible to malicious actors or may have been tampered with by previous guests to harvest credentials or session tokens.

When booking accommodation, doublecheck that the booking site is genuine and not a cloned site that will take your money without generating a valid booking. Never agree to pay for accommodation outside of the official booking mechanism. You won’t have any recourse to get a refund if the booking is fraudulent.

Festivals and Fan Experience  

The summer is always packed full of festivals, sporting events, concerts, and local celebrations. For the most part, these events are full of likeminded people, who are just there to have fun. But it’s always worth keeping in mind the speed at which criminals can swipe devices, upload malware, or extract your data. Be wary of handing your device to a stranger to take photos, or you might be left with just memories.

QR codes are very difficult to validate without following the link. Criminals are known to replace genuine QR codes with fake codes directing you to a malicious site serving up malware. Similarly, any offer which seems too good to be true or which requires parting with personal details may not have your best interests at heart.

Have a Cybersecure Summer

Most trips away are enjoyable and pass without incident. Keep your vacation incident-free by being constantly extra vigilant and alert, keeping your devices fully patched and backed up, and preferably using mobile connections over WiFi.

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FVC and SearchInform Join Forces to Boost Insider Threat Prevention and Data Protection in MENA

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FVC and SearchInform Join Forces to Boost Insider Threat Prevention and Data Protection in MENA

FVC, a prominent distributor specialising in innovative technology solutions, is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with SearchInform, a leader in information security and insider threat prevention solutions. Together, they are committed to strengthening organizations’ defenses against data leaks, corporate fraud, human-factor related risks.

K.S. Parag, Managing Director, FVC:

“We are excited to welcome SearchInform to our cybersecurity portfolio. The company offers the most powerful and localized DLP on the MENA market. SearchInform solution stands out from the competition due to a number of advantages. The system can be deployed within a few hours, protects the maximum number of data transfer channels, provides smart content-based blocking for all controlled channels and also use digital watermarks to trace the source of potential leaks. SearchInform DLP supports analysis of data in Arabic and has security policies, tailored for requirements of local organizations, enabling timely detection and prevention of confidential data leaks. The solution leverages AI to monitor atypical data transfer channels, recognize graphic elements, transcribe audio into text, detect attempts to photograph PC screens with smartphones.”

SearchInform offers a range of products, including DCAP, DLP, and SIEM. All the tools are seamlessly integrated. Technical support is provided through a specialist assigned to the company, who has extensive experience thanks to clients from various fields.

Commenting on the Partnership, Artem Volodin, CEO SearchInform MENA, stated:

“We are proud to collaborate with FVC, whose expertise in the Middle Eastern market will strengthen our efforts to combat insider threats and data leaks. The region needs a comprehensive solution that will enable organizations to meet regulatory standards, including SAMA, PDPL, DCC, ECC, UAE Information Assurance (IA) Regulation etc. and global ones, such as GDPR, PCI DSS. SearchInform delivers tools for data protection and risk mitigation across all levels: FileAuditor secures file systems, DLP covers workstations and human risks, Risk Monitor addresses corporate fraud, and SIEM protects IT infrastructure.”

The partners are currently conducting expert training, partner enablement sessions, and are also negotiating the implementation of SearchInform products in local companies.

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Etihad Salam and AFR-IX telecom Join Forces to Boost Intercontinental Digital Links Across Europe, Middle East, and Africa 

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Etihad Salam and AFR-IX telecom Join Forces

Etihad Salam, a premier telecommunications and digital infrastructure company in Saudi Arabia, has entered into a strategic with AFR-IX telecom, an infrastructure and telecom operator and the developer and operator of the Medusa Submarine Cable System.

This collaboration aims to elevate digital connectivity spanning Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and Asia.  Through this agreement, Etihad Salam becomes the primary landing and interconnection hub for the Medusa system within Saudi Arabia through Aqaba (Jordan), solidifying the Kingdom’s position as a pivotal digital gateway connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa.

The partnership introduces resilient, high-bandwidth, and low-latency pathways from the Mediterranean to the Arabian Peninsula, fostering expansion for hyperscale data centers, cloud service providers, and digital operators throughout the region. 

With this partnership, Etihad Salam will deliver terrestrial backhaul services and capacity swapping to seamlessly incorporate Medusa’s network into Saudi Arabia and the broader GCC, and onward to Asia. This initiative represents a significant advancement in Etihad Salam’s global cable strategies and underscores its dedication to Saudi Vision 2030’s goals for digital innovation and economic diversification. 

Medusa Submarine Cable System is an 8,760 km undersea cable network linking critical points in the Mediterranean, such as Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Greece, Cyprus, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. Engineered for high-speed, reliable data transfer between Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, Medusa delivers up to 480 Tbps of capacity, serving as a vital conduit for surging intercontinental data flows. 

Quote from Salam

“Our partnership with Medusa underscores Salam’s commitment to positioning Saudi Arabia as a central hub for regional connectivity,” stated Amjad Arab, Chief Wholesale and Alliances Officer at Etihad Salam. “By linking the Medusa cable to our robust infrastructure, we’re creating innovative international routes that expand our worldwide presence and meet the surging needs for digital and cloud services in the Kingdom. Through this partnership, we seek to offer enriched connectivity services, experiences and bring the world closer, ultimately empowering businesses to scale and innovative in an increasingly digital landscape.” 

Quote from AFR-IX telecom

“We’re excited to collaborate with Etihad Salam, whose expertise and network complement our objective of providing secure, expansive, and high-performance connectivity from the Mediterranean outward,” said Norman Albi, Chief Executive Officer of AFR-IX. “This partnership elevates reliability and coverage for carriers worldwide, driving forward digital advancement across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.” 

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Infinia Technologies and Satya Retail Launch AI and Blockchain-Powered Retail Transformation at GITEX 2025

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  • Revolutionizes India’s retail market by empowering merchants with first time real use case of AI and Blockchain
  • SAII is a world’s first initiative set to turn millions of low-tech, high-potential neighbourhood retailers into a data-rich, AI-enabled commerce network



Infinia Technologies, a subsidiary of Sirius International Holding, announced a strategic partnership with Satya Retail, a DS Group affiliate, at GITEX Global 2025, the world’s largest technology and innovation event in Dubai. Through this collaboration, Infinia Technologies aims to leverage its advanced AI operating ecosystem to power Satya Retail’s merchant network with AI-driven analytics, blockchain-based invoicing, and digital financial tools, transforming India’s retail landscape.

By combining Infinia Technologies’ AI and blockchain infrastructure with DS Group’s unmatched distribution expertise and Satya Retail’s deep merchant network, this initiative will create an intelligent, scalable, and inclusive retail ecosystem designed to empower millions of small businesses across the country. The official signing took place today at GITEX Global 2025, in the presence of Arif Khan, CEO of Infinia Technologies, along with Ritesh Kumar, Director at DS Group.

The collaboration marks the launch of SAII – Smart AI Integrator, a world’s first initiative that turns millions of low-tech, high-potential neighbourhood retailers into a data-rich, AI-enabled commerce network. Branded as “The Digital Saathi for Merchants,” SAII provides a single platform for all merchant needs; from blockchain-based e-invoicing and micro-financing to insurance, hyperlocal advertising with two-way data transfer for merchants and vendor network.

For the first time, India’s retailers will receive access to powerful digital capabilities at scale through SAII. It will help merchants operate smarter, improve efficiency, and build deeper partnerships across the supply chain.

Commenting on the announcement, Arif Khan, CEO of Infinia Technologies, said: “This partnership represents a defining moment in how AI and Blockchain can drive real-world impact. This collaboration will positively accelerate India’s digital economy. Through SAII, we’re enabling millions of India’s retailers to access intelligent tools and digital services that were once out of reach, while advancing our mission to take advanced AI from Abu Dhabi to the world. This is only the beginning; we plan to extend the SAII model across Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, with more projects to be announced soon.”

Ritesh Kumar, Director at DS Group added: “Our collaboration with Infinia Technologies brings together the strength of our retail network and their AI innovation to empower small businesses across India. SAII will help local merchants modernize their operations, access financial and digital tools seamlessly, and become part of a larger connected commerce ecosystem. This is a major step toward building a more inclusive and technology-driven retail economy.”

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