Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 27 | Page 10

NEWS McAfee completes Skyhigh Networks acquisition making the company a Device-to- Cloud Cybersecurity Leader STC starts constructing the largest network operation centre in MENA S audi Telecom Company (STC) has announced the start of the construction of the largest network operations centre in MENA. The project aims to enhance the company’s strategy for digital transformation, enabling digital services and enriching the experience of customers. The centre, which will be located at the King Abdulaziz Telecom Complex in Al- Mursalat district in Riyadh, is expected to be completed in 2019. It includes smart control and operation methods for all network components, information systems and modern data centres established by the company in different regions. Chris Young, CEO, McAfee, says the announcement marks a milestone for the future of McAfee M cAfee, which operates in KSA, has announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition of Skyhigh Networks. With the close of this deal, Skyhigh Networks becomes part of the McAfee Cloud Security Business Unit. Skyhigh is an ideal complement to McAfee’s strategy, one focused on building and optimising mission-critical cybersecurity environments for the future. Skyhigh Networks pioneered the cloud access security broker (CASB) market segment that analysts describe as one of the fastest growing areas of information security investments of the last five years. With this technology, McAfee can now offer a cloud portfolio that addresses the three primary challenges of managing multi-cloud environments: visibility into networks, workloads and data, advanced threat protection and pervasive data protection. “This announcement marks a new milestone for the future of our company,” said Chris Young, chief executive officer, McAfee. “With two industry leaders coming together 10 INTELLIGENTCIO under one company, we will make cybersecurity an enabler to the transformative power of our digital age. We are focused on securing customers from their devices to the cloud, giving customers access to market-leading capabilities in the architectural control points that matter most.” Dr Khaled Biyari, STC Group CEO, said: “The new national network control centre is an important investment in the future of technology in our country. According to McAfee’s 2017 cloud adoption and security report Building Trust in a Cloudy Sky, 93% of organisations use some form of cloud services. In October STC signed a contract with Al Latifia Trading and Contracting Company to establish a four-storey control centre, equipped with the latest IT and high- resolution digital display systems to enhance operational standards. McAfee cloud security solutions provide visibility, advanced threat protection, and data protection controls across all clouds to secure network traffic, workloads and data. The multi-cloud security management of Skyhigh Security Cloud, McAfee Cloud Workload Security and McAfee Virtual Network Security Platform allows administrators to identify and secure critical cloud resources. “STC has prepared itself in the best way to serve the company’s customers from corporate and individuals.” The centre is expected to increase the efficiency of customer and business services and enhance the company’s position as a regional provider of Internet, data and communications services. Security professionals know the importance of the cloud but need a way to ensure their networks, workloads and data are all protected. www.intelligentcio.com