The Integrator had an exclusive interview with Prashant Menon, Channel Manager UAE – Check Point Software Technologies

Could you provide some insights into the upcoming cybersecurity trends?  

The constantly changing landscape and evolving threats in the Middle East present complex challenges for organizations operating in the region. According to Check Point Software’s latest threat intelligence report, an organization in the Middle East is being attacked on average 1586 times per week in the last 6 months, compared to 1206 attacks per organization globally. There is an increase in hacktivism and ransomware attacks, which highlights the need for strong technologies, processes, and approaches to effectively address these cybersecurity concerns. To mitigate the specific threats that arise in this part of the world, it’s important for organizations to have robust security measures in place. Check Point Software is a leading provider of cyber security solutions with a strong presence in the Middle East for the past three decades and offers a range of solutions designed to protect large organizations from cyber threats, including firewalls, threat prevention, endpoint security, and cloud security through a range of products and services tailored to the needs of enterprises in the region.

Can you talk about the channel strategies you have?

Our channel strategy involves a two-pronged approach focused on growth and partnerships in our target region. To achieve this growth, we offer attractive incentives to our partners to expand our reach and secure new customers.

Furthermore, our channel strategy aims to facilitate growth for our partners by leveraging our new technologies, which extend beyond our traditional firewall solutions.

Our cloud security solutions, network security, user & access security and security management solutions are the key elements of our expanded portfolio. We are highlighting these solutions to demonstrate our commitment to innovation and to showcase the breadth of our capabilities.

What are all the products and services that were showcased and what is the response that you got?

Over the past few years, Check Point Software has expanded its offerings beyond its traditional firewall products to provide a more holistic approach to security. As the threat landscape evolves, relying solely on a firewall is no longer enough to keep customers safe.

Our focus is on providing prevention-first consolidated security solutions that integrate network, endpoint, mobile, and cloud security into a single, integrated management console. By offering a comprehensive security solution, we aim to make a difference in the industry and ensure our customers have the protection they need to operate confidently in today’s complex security environment.

We are showcasing our latest range of cyber security solutions within our portfolio including Check Point CloudGuard for unified cloud-native security across applications, workloads, and networks, giving the confidence to automate security, prevent threats, and manage posture-at cloud speed and scale.

Secondly, Check Point Quantum Network Security for ultra-scalable protection against Gen V cyber attacks on the network, cloud, data center, IoT, and remote users.

Thirdly, Check Point Harmony, the industry’s first unified security solution for users devices and access, and lastly, Check Point Horizon, which offers XDR, MDR, and events management solutions for complete coverage of networks, endpoints, cloud, email and IoT, from one pane of glass.

Is there a skill gap in cybersecurity awareness and if so, what are the steps that can be taken to bridge this gap? 

It’s concerning from our perspective as there seems to be a significant skills gap

in the cybersecurity industry. The ever-changing political landscape presents a threat to organizations, and without the right people and tools in place, it’s difficult to manage security processes and address potential issues. To combat this, it’s essential to train students entering the workforce to understand cybersecurity and make it a prominent job market. We need individuals with strong insights into cybersecurity technologies to fill the skill gaps in organizations. It’s not enough to have the right technologies; proper implementation is critical to ensure customers are protected