Cisco Duo Boosts UAE Cybersecurity with New Cloud Data Center

Cisco Duo is gearing up to establish a novel cloud data center in the UAE to bolster customer cybersecurity readiness. Scheduled for a mid-2024 debut, this initiative aims to fortify businesses of all scales in fortifying their cybersecurity stance while enhancing connection efficiency.

H.E. Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity of the UAE Government, underscored the significance of this move, stating, “The UAE’s commitment to pioneering transformative technologies is paramount. Cybersecurity stands as a linchpin in our digital evolution, and our objective is to forge a secure cyber infrastructure fostering citizen empowerment and business resilience. Cisco Duo’s cloud data center announcement is pivotal in equipping organizations to navigate the evolving cyber landscape, fortifying critical infrastructure, and thwarting cyber threats.”

The launch of the cloud data center in Dubai aligns with Cisco’s and Duo’s global security infrastructure strategy, aimed at preparing customers for future challenges. It will enable seamless operation of Duo’s comprehensive zero-trust platform, encompassing multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), device trust, password-less authentication, adaptive risk-based policies, and automated detection of malicious user behavior through Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Moreover, it promises to augment business performance and user experience by ensuring connection proximity.

Raj Chopra, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer for Cisco Security, emphasized the paramount importance of establishing secure infrastructures in the face of escalating cyber threats. He stated, “As global enterprises intensify their security endeavors, establishing a robust security infrastructure becomes imperative. Cisco, placing identity at the core of our security strategy, harnesses Duo’s capabilities to safeguard customer data rigorously, enabling them to prioritize optimal user experiences.”

In today’s cybersecurity landscape, identity has emerged as the foremost perimeter, as evidenced by Cisco’s Cybersecurity Readiness Index. Insights from Cisco’s 2024 Duo Trusted Access Report underscore the growing reliance on multi-factor authentication (MFA) and password-less technologies as pivotal risk mitigation tools, with MFA authentication through Duo witnessing a notable 41% surge over the past year.

Reem Asaad, Vice President, Cisco Middle East and Africa, highlighted the intricacies of contemporary threat landscapes and expressed pride in offering solutions to address these challenges. She remarked, “The Cisco Duo cloud data center constitutes a vital investment in empowering our customers to construct a cloud-based, secure, and agile IT infrastructure capable of navigating and responding to the dynamic cyber risks of the digital era.”

The cloud data center in the UAE integrates seamlessly into Cisco Duo’s global network of cloud data centers spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and the Americas. This network caters to local clientele, particularly those in heavily regulated sectors like the public sector and financial services, providing them with diverse service delivery options.