A&S Middle East Magazine

Axis Communications has joined Palo Alto Networks’ Frontier AI Critical Defense Program as a founding partner, the company announced, as the security industry looks for ways to close the growing gap between vulnerability discovery and the deployment of permanent software fixes. The initiative will allow Axis and Palo Alto Networks to coordinate on network-level “virtual patches” designed to block exploitation of software vulnerabilities while organizations test and deploy official updates.

Madeleine Kraus, incoming CFO of MOBOTIX. Photo: MOBOTIX MOBOTIX has appointed Madeleine Kraus, 29, as Chief Financial Officer and a member of its Management Board, effective October 1, 2026, the company announced. Kraus will succeed Klaus Kiener, who will leave MOBOTIX on September 30 after ten years on the Management Board with responsibility for Finance and Operations. Kraus joined MOBOTIX in 2016 and has held several finance positions within the company.

The average cost of a data breach for organizations in the Middle East reached $8 million in 2026, according to IBM’s 2026 Cost of a Data Breach Report, with AI increasingly influencing both cyberattacks and organizations’ ability to contain their financial impact. Among malicious breaches analyzed in the region, 26% were AI-enabled, while another 11% of organizations were unable to determine whether attackers had used AI.

On stand 3A65 in Hall 3 within the Euro Defence Expo, Gunnebo Safe Storage will present TransitGuard, its mobile vault solution for protecting cash, valuables and other high-value assets in transit or on mission. The company will also highlight how connected security technologies are reshaping physical security operations. As organizations continue to review how assets are secured throughout the supply chain, the movement of valuables between locations remains a critical area of focus.

Photo: Anoop1992 / Pexels ADNOC, the UAE’s state-owned energy company, and SLB, a global energy technology company, have deployed an AI-enabled Real-Time Operations Center (RTOC) across more than 120 drilling rigs in the UAE, connecting onshore and offshore operations through a single monitoring environment, ADNOC said.

Photo: Julissa Pires / Pexels According to the latest Grand View Research animal identification report, the global market was valued at US$5.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from US$6.2 billion in 2026 to US$11.9 billion by 2033, representing a CAGR of 9.7%. The research covers Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman within its Middle East and Africa analysis.

Photo: Solera Global Corp. Najm is bringing Solera’s Qapter and Intelligent Estimating solutions into its national platform under a new strategic partnership, Solera Global Corp. said in an announcement. The partnership combines Najm’s national reach and knowledge of the Saudi market with Solera’s technology, data and AI capabilities, with the companies aiming to improve efficiency, scalability and connectivity across Saudi Arabia’s motor insurance ecosystem.

Photo: Na Ngel / Pexels A new fam Properties analysis shows that more than 560,000 residential properties are currently under construction in Dubai, with most scheduled for completion by 2028. Around three-quarters have already been sold, underlining strong absorption of new supply. The scale of development comes as smart technology becomes a more prominent part of the UAE residential market.

Officially titled the Syria International Security and Safety Exhibition, FORTIX 2026 will provide a platform for international companies to showcase security and safety technologies, meet decision-makers and build business connections across Syria and the wider region, according to the event organizers. Organizers expect the event to host more than 250 exhibitors from 11 countries and attract over 10,000 visitors from 12 countries.

Snowflake said in an announcement that the initiative will be unveiled as part of its participation at LEAP 2026, which runs from August 31 to September 3 in Riyadh. The company has not yet disclosed details of the initiative, but said it would reinforce its long-term support for Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation and AI ambitions. The initiative would build on Snowflake’s existing technology presence in Saudi Arabia.