logo
NEC XON Earns Palo Alto Networks XMDR Partner Status In EMEA

NEC XON Earns Palo Alto Networks XMDR Partner Status In EMEA

NEC XON, a pan-African systems integrator and cybersecurity innovator, has officially achieved Palo Alto Networks XMDR (Extended Managed Detection and Response) Partner Status in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), joining an elite group of partners globally recognised for advanced threat detection, response capabilities, and strategic cyber defence.
This achievement validates NEC XON's deep alignment with Palo Alto Networks' Cortex XDR platform and its ability to provide proactive, scalable incident response services on behalf of Palo Alto Networks — a capability shared by only a select few providers worldwide.
More than just a partnership status
'XMDR gives us the ability to execute incident response on behalf of Palo Alto Networks, showcasing a unique partnership capability held by very few companies globally,' says Armand Kruger, Head of Cybersecurity at NEC XON.
'It's more than just a status — it's a validation of our architecture-first approach, our deep technical skills, and our ability to defend customers across hybrid and complex environments.'
The XMDR status provides NEC XON's Managed Detection & Response (MDR) team with the ability to deliver truly integrated, preventative cyber protection across cloud, network, endpoint, and identity attack surfaces.
'The Palo Alto Networks XMDR designation gives our MDR team the power to help customers actively disrupt cyber adversaries, protect their environments proactively, and ensure long-term business sustainability,' says Ryno Le Roux, NEC XON's Head of Cyber Operations. 'It's a game-changer in how we deliver cyber resilience at scale.'
Delivering world class threat protection
Through this recognition, NEC XON is further empowered to deliver world-class threat detection, rapid containment, and expert-led response services using Palo Alto Networks' AI-driven Cortex XDR and XSOAR technologies.
With a focus on continuous innovation and a customer-first mindset, NEC XON continues to set the benchmark for what a modern, business-aligned cybersecurity partner should look like — delivering not only defence but strategic resilience.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

UAE employees outpace EMEA peers in cyber confidence, study reveals
UAE employees outpace EMEA peers in cyber confidence, study reveals

Khaleej Times

time5 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

UAE employees outpace EMEA peers in cyber confidence, study reveals

The UAE workforce is ahead of its EMEA peers across several indicators of cyber-readiness, underscoring the country's progress toward its national vision for digital resilience and AI-enabled defence, a study showed. According to research by Cohesity, a company specialising in AI-powered data security and resilience, 86 per cent of UAE employees expressed confidence in recognising a cyber threat—compared to 81 per cent in the UK, 80 per cent in Germany, and just 62 per cent in France. Nearly nine in ten (89 per cent) UAE respondents also said they trust their organisation's ability to prevent and recover from attacks. Beyond awareness, the study reveals encouraging signs of action-oriented behaviour. Two-thirds of UAE employees say they would report suspicious activity to their cybersecurity team, showing an apt response, in comparison to respondents from the UK (61 per cent), Germany (53 per cent), and France (48 per cent). Amongst other UAE employees, over half would notify their IT department. This instinct to act is supported by ongoing education: 66 per cent have received some form of cybersecurity training in the past year. However, the research also highlights areas where further progress is needed. A small but notable group of employees say they would either attempt to resolve a threat on their own (15 per cent) or turn to personal contacts first (19 per cent), indicating a gap in internal reporting clarity, and a potentially risk to the entire organisation that mis-understanding of how important it is that reporting through the correct processes is critical to the quickest resolution of any potential risk of cyber attack . Among those hesitant to report incidents correctly, the leading reasons include fear of blame or confusion (46 per cent), a belief that it isn't their responsibility (27 per cent), and worry about overreacting (14 per cent). Johnny Karam, Managing Director and Vice President, International Emerging Region at Cohesity, commented: 'The findings reflect the UAE's clear leadership in cybersecurity readiness across the EMEA region. With initiatives driven by the UAE Cybersecurity Council and a strong national focus on AI and digital transformation, it's no surprise that employee awareness is rising in step with enterprise investment.' 'What stands out is not just awareness, but the willingness to act. The next step is closing the gap—equipping employees with the tools, clarity, and – perhaps most importantly - confidence to respond without hesitation. If we educate all employees of the serious risks to the organisation of not correctly reporting any potential cyber risks they see, encouraging a mentality that they will not get in trouble for doing so, and highlighting their individual capability to maximise the speed of response all UAE organisations can be more resilient. At Cohesity, we believe true cyber resilience is built on both technology and a culture of empowered people,' Karam added. The UAE's continued investment in cybersecurity infrastructure, most recently through advanced threat detection systems activated under the direction of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, demonstrates a firm national commitment to securing the digital landscape. The study shows that employees are already aligning with this vision: ● Two-thirds of the respondents have undergone cybersecurity training, with 39 per cent participating in multiple sessions in the past year. ● Over half (51 per cent) would report a suspicious incident to IT, while 67 per cent would notify a cybersecurity team, demonstrating a willingness to escalate issues through formal channels. ● 77 per cent are familiar with the term 'ransomware', showing widespread awareness of key threat types. Awareness of cyber threats is on the rise in the UAE, with 77 per cent of employees familiar with the term 'ransomware'. This strong baseline offers an ideal foundation to build upon. By expanding education beyond surface-level awareness to include real-world examples and practical training, companies can empower their teams with the confidence and clarity needed to respond effectively. While confidence in reporting and escalating potential ransomware threats within the organisation is high, the study reveals opportunities to further strengthen internal reporting behaviour. Around 15 per cent say they would attempt to resolve a threat themselves, and 19 per cent would first alert their personal contacts, These responses highlight a proactive mindset, which organisations can harness by further strengthening internal reporting protocols and promoting awareness of the appropriate escalation paths. Among the smaller group of employees who expressed hesitation in reporting a potential incident, the most common reasons included: ● UAE employees showed a strong sense of fear of blame or not understanding the issue (46 per cent), while EMEA employees had a more neutral perspective (UK - 26 per cent, Germany - 20 per cent, and France - 15 per cent). ● 27 per cent of the UAE respondents believed it wasn't their responsibility, showing a much bigger gap to appreciating their role in their organisations cyber safety as compared to their EMEA counterparts (UK -10 per cent, Germany - 12 per cent, and France 19 per cent). ● 14 per cent UAE employees feared overreacting, in-tune with 18 per cent of German respondents 15 per cent from the UK and 11 per cent of French respondents showing similar sentiment. With the UAE government actively advancing national cybersecurity capabilities and frameworks, the country is uniquely positioned to lead by example. Employees are ready and willing: confidence is high, training is widespread, and the instinct to act is evident. To fully unlock this potential, organisations must ensure that every employee, from the frontline to the C-suite, knows their role in safeguarding the business. Mark Molyneux, CTO, EMEA at Cohesity, added: 'These findings confirm what we're seeing across the region: employees are increasingly aware of cyber risks and are willing to step up, which is largely due to the UAE Cyber Security Council's approach to increasing security awareness across the Emirates. But this awareness must be matched with action. The future of cybersecurity will be defined by how quickly organisations can enable secure, informed decisions at every level. That means embedding cyber resilience into daily operations, investing in smart automation, closing the gap between detection and response, and instilling a culture that supports employees in raising concerns early in a safe space. In fast-moving threat environments, AI-powered data security is not a luxury, it's an operational necessity.'

UAE welcomes signing of peace deal between Rwanda, Congo
UAE welcomes signing of peace deal between Rwanda, Congo

Gulf Today

time6 hours ago

  • Gulf Today

UAE welcomes signing of peace deal between Rwanda, Congo

The United Arab Emirates has welcomed the signing of the peace agreement between Congo and Rwanda in Washington, commending it as a significant step towards reinforcing peace, security, and stability across the African continent. Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, commended the extensive efforts of US President Donald Trump, and Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, in facilitating this positive and constructive achievement, which comes in support of the African Union's mediation efforts and the outcomes of the joint summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC). He considers the agreement a reflection of the strong determination and unwavering commitment of both parties to peaceful solutions and dialogue. He underscored that the international cooperation, which led to the signing of this agreement, reflects the significance of collective action in addressing regional issues, and the importance of resolving disputes through diplomatic means to achieve the aspirations of the peoples of the region for stability and prosperity. Sheikh Shakhboot emphasised the deep-rooted historic ties between the UAE and the countries of the African continent, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda, reiterating the country's steadfast approach in consolidating bridges of partnership and dialogue and its support for any efforts that contribute to enhancing security, peace, and sustainable development on the continent. In March, Sheikh Shakhboot met Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of Congo, in the capital, Brazzaville, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation. Sheikh Shakhboot commended the continuous development in relations between the UAE and the Republic of the Congo, affirming the numerous opportunities for support and growth across various sectors. WAM

World economy faces ‘pivotal moment' as uncertainty looms
World economy faces ‘pivotal moment' as uncertainty looms

Gulf Today

time6 hours ago

  • Gulf Today

World economy faces ‘pivotal moment' as uncertainty looms

Trade tensions and fractious geopolitics risk exposing deep fault lines in the global financial system, central bank umbrella body the Bank for International Settlements, said in its latest assessment of the state of the world economy. Outgoing head of the BIS, often dubbed the central bankers' central bank, Agustín Carstens, said the US-driven trade war and other policy shifts were fraying the long-established economic order. He said the global economy was at a 'pivotal moment', entering a 'new era of heightened uncertainty and unpredictability', which was testing public trust in institutions, including central banks. The bank's report is published just over a week before US President Donald Trump's trade tariff deadline of July 9 and comes after six months of intense geopolitical upheaval. When asked about Trump's criticisms of US Federal Reserve Jerome Powell, which have included Trump labelling the Fed chair as 'stupid', he was not overly critical. 'It is to be expected at certain points in time that there will be friction,' former Mexican central bank governor Carstens told reporters, referring to the relationship between governments and central banks. 'It is almost by design'. The BIS' annual report, published on Sunday, is viewed as an important gauge of central bankers' thinking given the Switzerland-based forum's regular meetings of top policymakers. Rising protectionism and trade fragmentation were 'particular concerning' as they were exacerbating the already decades-long decline in economic and productivity growth, Carstens said. There is also evidence that the world economy is becoming less resilient to shocks, with population ageing, climate change, geopolitics and supply chain issues all contributing to a more volatile environment. The post-COVID spike in inflation seems to have had a lasting impact on the public's perception about price moves too, a study in the report showed. High and rising public debt levels are increasing the financial system's vulnerability to interest rates and reducing governments' ability to spend their way out of crises. 'This trend cannot continue,' Carstens said referring to the rising debt levels and he said that higher military spending could push the debt up further. Hyun Song Shin, the BIS's main economic adviser, also flagged the sharp fall in the dollar. It is down 10% since the start of the year and on track to be its biggest H1 drop since the free-floating exchange rate era began in the early 1970s. He said there was no evidence that this was the start of a 'great rotation' away from US assets as some economists have suggested, but acknowledged that it was still too early to know given sovereign funds and central banks move slowly. Shorter-term analysis, though, showed 'hedging' by non-US investors holding Treasuries and other US assets appears to have made an 'important contribution' to the dollar's slide over the last few months. 'We haven't seen anything (yet) that would give us any cause for alarm,' Shin added. The BIS had already published one part of its report last week that gave a stark warning about the rapid rise of so-called stablecoins. In terms of the BIS' own finances, it said it made a net profit of 843.7 million IMF SDR ($1.2 billion), while its total comprehensive income reached a record high of SDR 3.4 billion ($5.3 billion) and currency deposits at the bank also reached a new high. 'It is important that the BIS has the highest creditworthiness out there,' Carstens said. Separately, US business activity slowed marginally in June, though prices increased further amid President Donald Trump's aggressive tariffs on imported goods, suggesting that an acceleration in inflation was likely in the second half of the year. The survey from S&P Global on Monday showed measures of prices paid by factories for inputs and charged for finished products jumped to levels last seen in 2022. Nearly two-thirds of manufacturers reporting higher input costs attributed these to tariffs while just over half of respondents linked increased selling prices to tariffs, S&P Global said. That supports economists' expectations that inflation would surge from June following mostly benign consumer and producer price readings in recent months. Economists have argued that inflation has been slow to respond to Trump's sweeping import duties because businesses were still selling stock accumulated before the tariffs came into effect. S&P Global's flash US Composite PMI Output Index, which tracks the manufacturing and services sectors, slipped to 52.8 this month from 53.0 in May. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the private sector. Agencies

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store