Seceon secures Middle East from fast-evolving threat landscape
Critical infrastructure is a prime target
Seceon, founded in 2015, is a leading global provider of advanced AI-powered cybersecurity solutions. It offers organisations across industries real-time, automated threat detection and response capabilities.
With a mission to empower organisations against cyber threats while helping them reduce costs and meet compliance requirements, Seceon provides an all-in-one, cost-effective cybersecurity platform to safeguard businesses from various attacks, including malware and insider threats.
The Massachusetts-based company’s innovative aiXDR technology enhances security operations while streamlining processes and reducing costs—Seceon’s commitment to excellence positions it as a critical player in the global cybersecurity landscape.
In an exclusive interview at GITEX Global 2024, the world’s largest tech and startup event, held at Dubai World Trade Centre from October 14 to 18, Chandra S. Pandey, Founder and CEO of Seceon, delves into the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape in the Middle East context.
Excerpts from the interview:
What does Seceon bring to market that others are not offering?
Seceon’s unique approach to cybersecurity sets it apart from others in the market. Unlike many companies focusing on individual features, Seceon was developed from the ground up as a comprehensive cybersecurity platform designed for the digital era.
However, we realised that isolated solutions cannot effectively address cybersecurity challenges. Even organisations with hundreds of the best products still face breaches and often do not know their data has been compromised until it is too late.
The core issue is the lack of a unified telemetry view across various environments—on-premises, cloud, SaaS, and remote access. Situational awareness is crucial to detecting threats proactively. Many security solutions react only after an event, but our approach differs.
Our proactive approach aims to bring all telemetry together to provide real-time monitoring and response. This allows organisations to act swiftly before significant damage is done, providing a sense of reassurance and security.
Can you elaborate on the cyber threats specific to the Middle East?
Absolutely. We have hundreds of deployments in the Middle East region and over 8,400 customers globally. A primary focus is on critical infrastructure, a prime target for threat actors seeking substantial financial gain. Currently, we estimate around 400 threat actors at any given time, with about 30 actively operating in the region.
Seceon’s extensive data analysis capabilities set it apart in the cybersecurity landscape. Thanks to our ability to monitor over a trillion events daily, we can predict potential threats weeks in advance, giving us invaluable insights into emerging threats and malicious actors’ tactics.
With organisations in the Middle East increasingly concerned about data sovereignty, how is data being managed in the region today?
That is a crucial concern. Initially, a significant push was toward cloud solutions, leading many organisations to adopt hybrid models. However, there is a growing realisation that the cloud is fallible; outages can and do occur, as evidenced by frequent disruptions in services like Office 365.
Organisations are now balancing cloud solutions with on-premises data centres. For those with the resources, private data centres offer greater control and compliance with local regulations. We support a variety of deployment models, including on-premises and cloud solutions, ensuring that organisations can maintain their data securely and recover swiftly from any disruptions.
Given the high frequency of cyberattacks in the Middle East, how significant is the financial impact?
The financial ramifications are indeed substantial. The average cyber breach cost in the Middle East is approximately $8 million, not far behind the $9 million seen in the US.
This highlights the urgent need for comprehensive cybersecurity solutions. As we have witnessed the impact of cyber threats on critical infrastructure, it is clear that organisations must adopt proactive strategies to detect and neutralise threats early in their lifecycle, empowering them with a sense of responsibility.
What sectors are currently driving digital transformation in the Middle East?
We have observed fintech leading the charge, followed closely by the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector. Other significant areas include oil and gas, manufacturing, and healthcare.
The telecom sector is also evolving, although many companies lack the expertise to deliver effective cybersecurity solutions. Those partnered with specialised firms, including Seceon, are starting to offer these services to larger enterprises.
What are your impressions of GITEX Global as an engagement platform?
GITEX Global has been a vital platform for us since the pandemic. The Middle East region needs a comprehensive cybersecurity solution, but a knowledge gap exists. Many organisations still think they can buy separate products—like XDR or MDR—and be secure. However, we have advocated for a unified platform approach for nine years, emphasising that effective cybersecurity cannot be achieved through disjointed solutions.
The good news is that awareness is growing. Major players in the cybersecurity industry are beginning to recognise that a cohesive platform is essential to combatting cyber threats. At GITEX, we educate potential customers and partners about our solutions, reinforcing that absolute security comes from integration and situational awareness.
Thank you for sharing these insights.
Thank you for the opportunity. Our commitment is to ensure that organisations are prepared and can respond effectively to the evolving landscape of cyber threats.
Featured image: Chandra S. Pandey, Founder and CEO of US-based Seceon (left) with a business associate at GITEX Global 2024. Credit: Arnold Pinto
