Dragos and Aramco ink MOU to safeguard Saudi industrial infrastructure

 

Dragos and Aramco ink MOU to safeguard Saudi industrial infrastructure  

Dragos Inc., the global leader in cybersecurity for operational technology (OT) environments, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Aramco, a prominent integrated energy and chemicals company.

The MOU aims to explore opportunities to fortify the protection of critical industrial assets and infrastructure for Aramco, its affiliates, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This collaboration sets the stage for investigating strategies to swiftly deploy crucial cybersecurity technologies and services essential for safeguarding OT environments and global supply chains. Aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, the MOU supports the goal of building a diverse and thriving economy through secure digital transformation, fostering private sector growth and investment.

 

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Robert M. Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Dragos, and Basim A. Al Ruwaii, Information Security Director and Chief Information Security Officer at Aramco, signed the MOU. The agreement includes initiatives to localize Dragos services and solutions, explore the establishment of a local hardware assembly facility, and develop a training academy aimed at enhancing OT cybersecurity capabilities.

Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter, Executive VP of Technology and Innovation at Aramco, emphasized the importance of the collaboration in advancing Vision 2030 objectives and strengthening economic relations with global partners. He noted the MOU's contribution to the region's cybersecurity capabilities, showcasing Dragos's commitment to the region.

 

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The Middle East's cybersecurity market is experiencing significant growth, expected to reach nearly $30 billion by 2025, with an average annual growth rate of 14%. Basim A. Al Ruwaii, Information Security Director and Chief Information Security Officer at Aramco, highlighted the pivotal role of industrial cybersecurity in fulfilling Aramco's commitment to serving a growing global population sustainably.

Dragos's expansion into the Middle East includes key appointments and the establishment of its Saudi Arabia office in Riyadh. Salem S. Al-Elwi, Manager of OT/ICS Cybersecurity at Aramco, expressed excitement about the potential establishment of a Dragos cybersecurity hardware assembly facility in Saudi Arabia, enhancing local content and supply chain effectiveness.

This collaboration underscores the commitment of both Dragos and Aramco to advancing cybersecurity capabilities in the region, ensuring the resilience of industrial systems against cyber threats. Stay tuned for updates on this impactful partnership.

Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/