Google Cloud, Haboob Partner to Strengthen Saudi Arabia's Nationwide Cyber Defense

Haboob announced its partnership with Google Cloud to deliver Chronicle CyberShield to Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Haboob announced its partnership with Google Cloud to deliver Chronicle CyberShield to Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Google Cloud, Haboob Partner to Strengthen Saudi Arabia's Nationwide Cyber Defense

Haboob announced its partnership with Google Cloud to deliver Chronicle CyberShield to Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Haboob announced its partnership with Google Cloud to deliver Chronicle CyberShield to Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Haboob, a leading cybersecurity service provider owned by the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), announced its partnership with Google Cloud to deliver Chronicle CyberShield to Saudi Arabia.

This marks the first time Chronicle CyberShield will be offered in a managed services model in the Kingdom, aiming to bolster cybersecurity services for public sector organizations, said Haboob in a statement on Tuesday.

The news was revealed at Black Hat MEA in Riyadh.

“Chronicle CyberShield is a comprehensive solution that provides technology, processes, capabilities and resources to deliver situational awareness of the cyber threat landscape. It is uniquely designed for government entities to share threat information, help accelerate investigations and initiate a united response against persistent and ever-evolving threats proactively and rapidly,” said the statement

Haboob and Google Cloud are addressing the rising demand for cloud services in the Kingdom in alignment with the Saudi Vision 2030 digital transformation goals.

Running on Google Cloud's infrastructure, Chronicle CyberShield is capable of ingesting large amounts of data and conducting analytics within seconds. This can be a crucial factor when protecting one of the top 20 global economies and dealing with diverse data sources across various organizations and industries.

Haboob is spearheading the nationwide implementation of this solution, including the launch of a modernized Government Security Operations Center in Saudi Arabia, with advanced threat intelligence capabilities, enabling proactive detection and response to threats and incidents.

As part of the partnership, Haboob will also have access to a range of services from cybersecurity leader Mandiant, part of Google Cloud, including incident response capabilities, compromise and cyber defense assessments, and red teaming, in order to help protect key customer assets.

CEO of Haboob Eng. Saleh Alhaqbani underlined their keenness to provide their services to a wide range of clients in government and private sectors, which reflects great confidence in their ability to meet their needs in the cybersecurity sector, said the statement.

He stressed the importance of managed security monitoring services, which are growing significantly due to the legislation and security controls of the National Cybersecurity Authority, as well as the great risks resulting from cyber threats and new and complex methods of Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) to bypass and penetrate technical systems.

Alhaqbani added that Haboob is delivering a managed security monitoring service in partnership with Google Cloud using Google Chronicle CyberShield, which is supported by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that help it detect complex cyber threats. Haboob is seeking to contribute to creating a safe cyberspace and achieving its strategic goals that have been worked on to align with Saudi Vision 2030's strategic goals.



ImpaQ Forum Kicks Off in Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah

Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary and other officials are seen at the opening of the event in Diriyah. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary and other officials are seen at the opening of the event in Diriyah. (SPA)
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ImpaQ Forum Kicks Off in Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah

Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary and other officials are seen at the opening of the event in Diriyah. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary and other officials are seen at the opening of the event in Diriyah. (SPA)

Under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary, the Impact Makers Forum (ImpaQ) kicked off in Diriyah on Wednesday, attracting a host of influencers, experts and content creators from around the world.

The opening ceremony featured a modern theatrical performance titled "The Butterfly Effect," celebrating the forum's message and its significance in various fields of influence.

In an opening speech to over 1,500 guests at the Diriyah Arena, Al-Dossary emphasized the growing role of influencers, highlighting the importance of leveraging this influence to foster creativity and innovation and to stimulate community and economic development.

"The Kingdom's Vision 2030, led by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, is a vision that has inspired the world and created impact," he stated.

"Influence can be a single word from a passerby that might forever change someone's life for the better. It could come from a street vendor striving to provide for his children, a loving father, or a great mother who performs miracles to instill values in her children," he remarked.

"Influence is not confined to platforms and screens alone. Look around you at work, in your club, in your neighborhood, at home, and you will see who has shaped your personality and life. ImpaQ celebrates them and all of you," stressed the minister.

The Impact Makers Forum, the largest of its kind in the Kingdom, is being held on a 23,000-square-meter venue and includes three main areas: "Innovation Space" hosting panel discussions and major events, "Impact Space" where influencers share their inspirational experiences, and "Lab Space" for creative and technical workshops.

The two-day forum features over 40 diverse activities across 14 areas of influence, including media, artificial intelligence, sports, tourism and culture. The event will attract over 30,000 visitors, making it a leading platform for exchanging expertise and showcasing success stories in various fields of influence.

The forum also allows international influencers through special tours organized in cooperation with the Saudi Tourism Authority, aiming to highlight Saudi Arabia's uniqueness and appeal. The opening ceremony was digitally streamed to over one million viewers.

The forum features a diverse and engaging agenda, including panel discussions and workshops, while fostering substantial interaction among participants and attendees. This dynamic atmosphere underscores the Kingdom's role as a global hub for inspiration and innovation in the area of influence.