Qualys introduces new cloud platform in Saudi Arabia

Qualys, a renowned provider of cloud-based IT, security, and compliance solutions, has announced the launch of its Qualys Cloud Platform (CP) in Saudi Arabia. This new platform aims to assist organizations throughout the Kingdom in enhancing their cybersecurity measures and complying with various regulatory requirements, including those pertaining to data residency.

As cloud migration and remote work continue to expand, Saudi Arabia’s public and private sectors face increased vulnerability to cyber threats. To address this concern, entities like the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) and the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) have introduced cybersecurity regulations to safeguard citizens and residents, including the requirement to host data within the country. The Qualys Cloud Platform in Saudi Arabia provides an ideal solution for businesses and government entities seeking flexible visibility and control while ensuring compliance with these regulations.

Saudi Arabia currently boasts the largest ICT market in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. According to IDC, cybersecurity spending in the Kingdom is projected to reach 2.77 billion SAR (approximately US$720 million) in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.7% from 2021 to 2026. Recognizing the need to secure diverse architectures as the Kingdom’s technology investment shifts toward value-added professional services, government authorities have focused on vulnerability management, patching, and data residency in recent regulatory updates.

Qualys’ decision to introduce its cloud offering in Saudi Arabia was driven by these regulatory requirements. The service consolidates vendors and provides out-of-the-box local compliance, empowering security teams with a scalable solution that offers comprehensive visibility across global IT, operational technology (OT), cloud, mobile, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) environments through a single interface.

Hadi Jaafarawi, Managing Director, Middle East, at Qualys, highlighted the benefits of the Qualys Cloud Platform in Saudi Arabia, stating, “Qualys applications will be accessible on the Saudi Qualys Cloud Platform, enabling security operations centers (SOCs) to have a complete and continuously updated view of all IT assets from a single interface, eliminating legacy information silos. Provisioning more apps is a matter of a single checkbox, and because the apps are hosted in the cloud, maintenance and updates are automated. This cloud-native security approach creates a safer environment in the age of multi-cloud and remote-work models, resulting in significant time and cost savings, particularly with regards to regulatory compliance.”

Abdulrahman Al-Manea, Chief Product Management and Marketing Officer at sirar by stc, the key Qualys Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) partner for the Saudi Qualys Shared Cloud Platform (SCP), emphasized the digital challenges faced by organizations in Saudi Arabia’s journey towards achieving Vision 2030. Al-Manea noted that an increasing number of organizations in the Kingdom are choosing sirar by stc’s range of solutions to navigate the modern threat landscape and secure their digital environments. The Qualys Saudi Cloud Platform expands the services offered to customers, providing scalable solutions that address multiple security use cases throughout the cyber threat lifecycle, from detection to prioritization and response, ultimately reducing cyber risk and safeguarding their digital future.

As Saudi Arabia continues its progress towards Vision 2030, it becomes evident that digital transformation brings along specific challenges that necessitate robust cybersecurity measures. The introduction of the Qualys Cloud Platform in the Kingdom marks a significant step in fortifying cybersecurity defenses and ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.