stc Bahrain announces MOU with Fortinet to launch Bahrain's first Sovereign Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) service

Biz Bahrain

16-02-2025

stc Bahrain, a digital enabler, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fortinet, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, to work together to launch the first Sovereign Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) in Bahrain. This initiative supports Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, which intends to create a secure digital economy aligned with the Kingdom's focus on digital transformation. The cooperation intends to combine stc Bahrain's network infrastructure and Fortinet's security technologies to create a secure environment for the Bahraini market. The Sovereign SASE project intends to offer key benefits for Bahraini businesses, including enhanced data protection and control, to ensure data sovereignty within the Kingdom. By keeping data local, the aim of the project is to minimize the risk of unauthorized access and to foster trust with customers and stakeholders. Furthermore, it aims to simplify compliance with local regulations, providing peace of mind. The solution also intends to streamline network and security operations, to improve overall efficiency by consolidating multiple point solutions into a single, cloud-delivered platform. This cloud-based approach would increase agility and scalability, enabling businesses to easily adapt to growing needs and support remote workforces. Finally, Sovereign SASE aims to enable significant cost savings by eliminating the need for numerous on-premises security appliances and simplifying network management. Eng. Khalid Al Osaimi, Chief Executive Officer of stc Bahrain, stated, 'This strategic partnership with Fortinet is a significant leap forward in strengthening Bahrain's cybersecurity infrastructure. The Sovereign SASE initiative empowers Bahraini businesses to confidently accelerate their digital transformation, seamlessly adopting cloud technologies while upholding the highest security standards. This collaboration highlights our commitment to driving innovation.' Alain Penel, Vice President for Fortinet in the Middle East, Turkey & CIS added, 'We are delighted to join forces with stc Bahrain on this transformative project. By combining Fortinet's cutting-edge security expertise with stc Bahrain's robust network, we are creating a dynamic and secure digital environment. This will enable organizations across Bahrain to thrive in today's increasingly complex threat landscape, unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation.'
stc Bahrain remains committed to delivering cutting-edge technological solutions and driving digital transformation across the Kingdom, contributing to a more secure and connected future.