Cisco has revealed its plans to establish a new local cloud data center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for its Duo multifactor authentication (MFA) and secure access solution. The data center is scheduled to launch in the middle of 2024 and will play a vital role in bolstering the cybersecurity posture of businesses of all sizes while improving connection performance.
Read more: Etisalat by e&, Cisco join forces to enhance connectivity solutions in the UAE
UAE’s commitment to innovative technologies
Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti, head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, highlighted the UAE’s commitment to adopting innovative technologies that shape the country’s future. He recognized cybersecurity as a crucial element in a successful digital transformation journey, aiming to construct a secure and resilient cyber infrastructure that empowers citizens and businesses.
The announcement of Cisco’s Duo cloud data center in the UAE is a significant step towards supporting organizations in combating the ever-evolving cyber risks of the digital age, Al-Kuwaiti said. He added that the center will contribute to establishing a robust cyber defense ecosystem that safeguards critical infrastructure and prevents cyber threats.
Enabling secure remote access
According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the launch of the cloud data center in Dubai aligns with Cisco’s and Duo’s global strategy to develop security infrastructure that prepares customers for the future. The data center will facilitate the full functionality of Duo’s comprehensive zero-trust platform, encompassing multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) for secure remote access, device trust, password-less authentication, adaptive risk-based policies, and automated detection of malicious user behavior using Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Additionally, it will enable businesses to enhance their performance and user experience by leveraging the benefits of proximity in connection.
Targeting highly regulated industries
The UAE-based cloud data center is an integral part of Cisco Duo’s worldwide network of cloud data centers, spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and the Americas. These distributed data centers provide local customers, especially those operating in highly regulated industries like the public sector and financial services, with greater flexibility in choosing service delivery locations.
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