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SAFE MEASURES
By Editor
WatchGuard 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.
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.
News
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.

News
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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WatchGuard 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
