Cloudflare Expands Middle East Operations to Meet Rising Demand

Cloudflare, Inc., a provider of connectivity cloud solutions, has announced significant investment plans in the Middle East to bolster its presence in the region. This move underscores the company’s steadfast commitment to the Middle East, where it has been actively involved for nearly a decade. The investment encompasses the establishment of a new office in Dubai Internet City and the expansion of its team, dedicated to enhancing partner relationships, driving innovation, and ensuring customer success. Cloudflare initiated its engagement in the Middle East in early 2015 and has since strategically deployed infrastructure closer to users while fostering partnerships and operations in the region.

Cloudflare celebrated the inauguration of its new office in Dubai Internet City with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, accompanied by remarks from Michelle Zatlyn, the company’s Co-founder, President, and Chief Operating Officer. The expanding Dubai-based team, under the leadership of Bashar Bashaireh, Head of Middle East Sales, reflects Cloudflare’s steadfast dedication to its clientele and collaborators in the region.

Michelle Zatlyn emphasized the significance of the Middle East in terms of internet accessibility and innovation, citing countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia as pivotal hubs for growth. Cloudflare’s role in enhancing cybersecurity and providing faster, more reliable internet services is crucial for businesses aiming to thrive in this environment. Zatlyn highlighted Cloudflare’s impressive track record, with the company blocking an average of 9.5 billion cyber threats per day in the region during Q4 2023. She reiterated Cloudflare’s dedication to supporting customers and strengthening partnerships in the Middle East.

Cloudflare safeguards nearly 20% of global websites and witnessed a notable surge in internet usage, coupled with a 31% increase in cyber threats in the Middle East during Q4 2023. Despite these challenges, Cloudflare remains steadfast in its mission to identify and mitigate attacks, ensuring the accessibility and speed of internet properties across the region.

With a global network spanning over 310 cities in more than 120 countries, including 17 locations across the Middle East, Cloudflare continues to invest in its infrastructure in the region. The company’s long-standing presence in the Middle East dates back nearly a decade, reflecting its commitment to serving customers in this dynamic market.

Cloudflare’s expansion in the Middle East also includes a focus on channel-driven business growth. Partnering with regional leaders like Mindware, a leading value-added distributor, underscores Cloudflare’s commitment to providing comprehensive support, go-to-market programs, and after-sales services.

Nicholas Argyrides, Vice President – Gulf at Mindware, highlighted the exponential growth in cyber threats and the consequent need for enhanced cybersecurity capabilities. Mindware’s partnership with Cloudflare strengthens its position as a leader in cybersecurity in the Middle East, facilitating the delivery of innovative solutions to meet evolving market demands.

Cloudflare’s investment in talent acquisition across various functions, including sales, marketing, technical support, and operations, underscores its commitment to sustainable growth in the region. With momentum and demand on the rise, Cloudflare aims to double its workforce in the Middle East over the next two years.

Bashar Bashaireh, Head of Sales for the Middle East at Cloudflare, emphasized the region’s burgeoning economies and their reliance on digital transformation. He highlighted Cloudflare’s connectivity cloud strategy, which offers enterprises a unified platform for networking, security, and developer services, aligning with the evolving needs of businesses in the Middle East.