Advanced solutions allow Acronis to register 50% growth in the Middle East region
Rapidly digitising region is vital to the reputed cyber protection provider
Stanislav ‘Stas’ Protassov, President, Co-founder and Executive Board member of Acronis, is an accomplished technology entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in global software development, virtualisation, and business management.
He has significantly contributed to the global technology industry, from system and application software development to orchestrating the growth of globally distributed engineering teams that play a vital role in software development.
Renowned for his innovative prowess in virtualisation and cloud computing, Protassov boasts an impressive portfolio of 400+ patents, recognised by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, across domains such as software development, distribution systems, virtualisation technologies, algorithms, and other IT systems.
His exceptional talents extend to cultivating and retaining talent, helping him build a fantastic engineering team from the ground up while also contributing to acquiring top-tier professionals for Acronis and Acumatica.
Protassov’s academic achievements include a PhD in physics and mathematics, further underscoring his strong foundation in the field. As the co-founder and former CTO of Acronis, he has demonstrated his prowess in product development, strategic business planning, and effective personnel leadership.
This culminated in his recognition as a winner in the Leaders category of the 2022 Cybersecurity Awards, a prestigious honour bestowed by the Association of Information Security Professionals and endorsed by the Cybersecurity Agency of Singapore.
With expertise spanning software development, cybersecurity, research management, and intellectual property, Protassov continues to make indelible marks on the technology landscape.
Before delivering his keynote speech at GITEX Global 2023, Protassov engaged with ‘Middle East News 247’ in this exclusive interview:
What is Acronis in 2023?
Stas: That is a great question. We continue our growth trajectory and work with our channel partners. Much of our business is with managed service providers (MSPs). We essentially acquire new MSPs and empower our existing MSPs to grow by adding new services, features and capabilities to our advanced AI-powered products.
In 2023, we continue to build our MSP network globally and offer better product solutions to meet the demands of the fast-changing and fast-evolving digital landscape. So, in 2023, it is essentially business as usual for us.
How has Acronis grown recently?
Stas: We have achieved double-digit growth and good double-digit growth at that. We have grown 50% in this region [Middle East]. Our partners’ ecosystem also increased by more than 100% in 2022.
What differentiates Acronis from other leading global cyber protection and hybrid cloud storage solutions providers?
Stas: Firstly, we recently launched our advanced Endpoint and Detection Response (EDR) solution for MSPs, enabling them to attract new business from their clients who need advanced EDR capabilities for their digital assets and operations.
Secondly, we understand that other players will always be in the market despite how good we are. There will always be other players’ products; MSPs can have their preferences in this context.
Given this market scenario, we continue to enhance our platform and allow other products to integrate and work with our products on the same platform. So, being the platform of choice is integral to our business strategy.
Thirdly, and I believe this is increasing, there is a phase of change in software in general and specifically in our area. Companies need very simple cybersecurity and cyber protection solutions. So, essentially, you need to give them [companies] solutions where they basically can formulate what they want to achieve in their native language, not only in English, for example.
To sum up, we need to deploy advanced AI technologies in all our products, including large models, to allow MSPs to work with our products without going through an expensive training curve.
Are threat actors using generative AI technologies to launch cyberattacks?
Stas: This is a grave question for cybersecurity and cyber protection professionals worldwide. Fortunately, today, cybercriminals are primarily looking to acquire assets like your computer or your money. As such, they need more time before they can use generative AI on a large scale.
The cybercriminals’ current thinking is that if they can easily acquire assets without deploying AI, why bother with AI? As of today, the cybercriminals’ ultimate goal is not to create a proof of concept of the advantages of AI technologies in their nefarious activities. Their ultimate goal is to own your computer [assets].
Nevertheless, the challenges of malicious players increasingly deploying AI to mount attacks exist, even as good AI is already being used in the cybersecurity and cyber protection space today.
Cybercriminals are already pushing out a primitive form of generative AI. I am receiving phishing emails, obviously vectored by ChatGPT. One can immediately tell these phishing emails apart because of the language syntax used, the length of the e-mail, and things like that.
So yes, there is a challenge involving generative AI for both good and bad players. Using productive AI technologies to protect data will soon become the industry norm.
How important is the Middle East region to Acronis?
Stas: First, many data-dependent businesses in the region require data protection and cloud-hosting services, even as the regional economies increase.
The UAE minister of economy is on record saying he has only one KPI, which is to double the UAE’s economy in the next seven years. This is a validation of the economic growth vision in the Gulf country!
Backed by adequate financial resources and knowledge economy-based strategies, the region also attracts global talent utilising new digital technologies. The Middle East is also the gateway to many regions, so our presence in the region is essential, for instance, to reach out to Africa.
We will continue to grow our presence in the region in association with our regional partners. The Middle East is essential for us for all the reasons mentioned above.
How different is the Middle East market for Acronis compared to other regions?
Stas: This is another good question. First, every region has integrity, and the Middle East is no exception. The Middle East region initiated its digital strategy not so long ago. As such, the region does not have a legacy digital strategy, which, for example, you find in Europe.
As such, the region can move fast and freely from one to two. The region also has a competitive advantage over other regions by introducing online government services and making everything convenient and digital for individual residents and commercial enterprises.
The more digitally oriented a country is, the more data it needs to protect. So basically, looking at how the Middle East is growing, we know that countries need somebody like us because they rely on digital data way more than Europe. Many processes in Europe still need paperwork, unlike in the Middle East.
As the pandemic indicated, the world can do business via online exchange. In this context, what is your impression of in-person GITEX Global 2023?
Stas: In-person engagement is critical because every region has its traditions and mentality, and the Middle East is no exception. From what I can see, to transact business in the Middle East, it is essential to have personal connections with business partners, such as having lunch with them and discussing business over lunch.
This scenario is typical for many countries, such as Japan or China. You can often get to the point of signing a contract, talking over Zoom, etc., but face-to-face meetings are better when the contract is big enough.
For Acronis, the GITEX Global platform is an ideal opportunity to meet potential clients and existing collaborators from across the globe in person.
Acronis is 20 years old in 2023, and you have played a vital role in the company’s growth all this time. Your thoughts?
Stas: Somehow, it has happened so fast that it has not sunk in for me that we are a 20-year-old company!
In all this time, we have been through several significant transformations. We started as a backup company, initially offering backup for consumers. We then learnt how to work with businesses. Ten years ago, we started moving into the cyber protection and hybrid cloud spheres where we operate today.
It is interesting to see how Acronis evolves, creates and deploys new technologies that positively impact our clients across the globe. What is good to note is that Acronis continues to grow. This means that, probably in 20 years, a media channel – like ‘Middle East News 247’ – will report on our products, and that’s a great feeling!
Acronis overview:
Acronis is a global leader in cyber protection and hybrid cloud storage solutions. Founded in Singapore in 2003, the company is headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, and today specialises in innovative backup, anti-ransomware, disaster recovery, storage, and enterprise file sync and share solutions.
Through its award-winning AI-based active protection technology, blockchain-based authentication and unique hybrid-cloud architecture, Acronis protects data in any environment – including physical, virtual, cloud, and mobile workloads and applications – all at a low and predictable cost.
Acronis now has 1,500+ employees in 18 countries. Its solutions are trusted by five million+ consumers and 500,000+ businesses, including 79% of the top 100 most valuable brands. Acronis’ products are available through 50,000+ partners and service providers in 150+ countries in more than 20 languages.
For more information: www.acronis.com
Featured image: Stanislav ‘Stas’ Protassov delivers his keynote speech at GITEX Global 2023. Image: Arnold Pinto
Last Updated on 1 year by Arnold Pinto
