Telefonica and Fortinet Announce Strategic Alliance Agreement to Offer Managed Security Services

Agreement Extends 15 Year Relationship to Deliver Seamless and Adaptive Security from IoT to Cloud Networks

Dubai, UAE – June 19, 2016 –

News Summary:

Telefonica (NYSE: VIV), one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, and Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT), a global leader in high-performance cyber security solutions, today announced a strategic alliance agreement that will add Fortinet’s Security Fabric architecture into Telefonica’s portfolio of managed security services.  

• The agreement underscores Fortinet as a strategic security infrastructure partner to deliver solutions integrated with some of Telefonica’s key managed security services, which include, the CleanPipes service, ElevenPath’s FAAST persistent pentesting and virtual patching solution, and ElevenPath’s Metashield Protector service.
• Fortinet is the security infrastructure provider used for all Telefonica’s CleanPipes deployments worldwide today and will continue to be a part of the evolution of the service architecture.
• Telefonica customers will benefit from the combination of Telefonica’s strategic security services and Fortinet’s Security Fabric, which delivers pervasive and adaptive cybersecurity from IoT to the cloud.

Security Without Compromise Designed to Provide Peace of Mind for Customers

Increasing awareness of the cybersecurity risks facing businesses, a security talent challenge, and growing compliance enforcement are prompting businesses of all sizes to migrate risk out of their IT departments and into the hands of professionals.

While technology trends like IoT and cloud computing are blurring the edges of the network today, Fortinet’s Security Fabric, combined with ElevenPaths’ products and security services from Telefonica enables customers to benefit from a scalable, broad threat protection solution without compromising agility or performance. Telefonica customers can leverage highly advanced hardware and software, enabling direct communication between security solutions for a unified and rapid response to threats. In addition, the Fortinet Security Fabric, powered by the FortiASIC content processor and FortiOS security operating system enables customers to implement internal segmentation and other innovative security strategies to deliver comprehensive threat protection across the expanding attack surface.

Telefonica’s comprehensive security approach leverages the services and technology that have gained them recognition as a security solutions thought leader. In-house innovations are combined with strategic partnerships to deliver a complete managed information security offering. This allows customers to achieve business-critical security objectives while keeping operating costs predictable and helping busy IT teams stay ahead of security issues.

Supporting Quotes

Patrice Perche, senior executive vice president, Worldwide Sales and Support, Fortinet

“We have worked together with Telefonica for nearly 15 years. This successful partnership is the result of our shared goal – to provide the security technologies customers need to protect and grow their businesses. As Telefonica expands their coverage areas, network service offerings, and customer base, they need a security partner to help them still maintain high performance at scale without business disruption. Their extensive experience in security and communication networks, expert workforce and development of intelligence-driven managed security services means their customers are in safe hands.” 

Pedro Pablo Pérez, ElevenPaths’ CEO and Telefonica Global Security Managing Director”

“Our customers face a shortage in security talent today as well as stringent regulations and compliance requirements. This is compounded by an ever-changing cyber threat landscape. In order to succeed, they are turning to partners to help them implement the processes and technology required. A critical differentiation that Telefonica and Fortinet provide to customers is adaptive and intelligent security technology. Fortinet’s Security Fabric combined with Telefonica’s ElevenPaths products provides a cohesive, intelligent security offering that sees and protects distributed environments, which means they can build and enforce seamless and consistent security policy on local and cloud networks, or across advanced architectures.”

About Fortinet

Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) secures the largest enterprise, service provider, and government organizations around the world. Fortinet empowers its customers with intelligent, seamless protection across the expanding attack surface and the power to take on ever-increasing performance requirements of the borderless network - today and into the future. Only the Fortinet Security Fabric architecture can deliver security without compromise to address the most critical security challenges, whether in networked, application, cloud or mobile environments. More than 270,000 customers worldwide trust Fortinet to protect their businesses. Learn more at http://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, or FortiGuard Labs.    

• Follow Fortinet on Twitter and LinkedIn and Facebook.  
• Join the conversation on the Fortinet blog.

Seatrade Tanker Middle East announced for Seatrade Maritime Middle East

Riding on the wave of positive industry news from the tanker shipping market, Seatrade has announced the return of its popular Seatrade Tanker conference, Seatrade Tanker Middle East.  The newly rebranded conference will take place as part of Seatrade Maritime Middle East and Dubai Maritime Week.

Reaffirming the decision, Chris Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade, said: “In light of discussions that we have had with major stakeholders in the industry and general market feedback, I am pleased that we can reintroduce this important theme to the overall programme in the knowledge that the tanker shipping market is continuing to perform well.”

Seatrade Tanker Middle East, which takes place on Tuesday 1 November in the Forum area at Seatrade Maritime Middle East, will be moderated by Katharina Stanzel, Manager Director of INTERTANKO, bringing with her significant industry expertise.  

Asked why the tanker shipping market is performing better than other shipping sectors, Mr Hayman commented: “The low oil price has continued to benefit the tanker market in both crude and product sectors.”

“Recent signs of increased demand for crude oil imports in India and China give grounds for optimism.  Demand is being generated by the granting of import licences to China’s privately owned ‘teapot’ refineries – a trend that is expected to continue in coming months.  Growing near-term OPEC supply and declining US production will support tanker demand by increasing voyage distances.”

“New refinery development in the region also bodes well for the product tanker sector, and a tight market for finance will act as a constraint on new orders, despite low prices.  Meanwhile the return of Iran to the market adds an interesting new dynamic.”

Topics during the half day conference will include a comprehensive discussion of the fundamentals of the crude oil tanker market and an analysis of the factors influencing the shape of product tanker demand and those driving it, including refining, and the composition of the order book.  Delegates will be encouraged to enter discussion with the panel speakers and a networking luncheon will follow the morning session.

For further details, visit the event website: www.seatrade-middleeast.com

ضمن فعاليات أسبوع دبي البحري ومؤتمر ومعرض سيتريد الشرق الأوسط للقطاع البحري:

دبي تستضيف مؤتمراً يسلط الضوء على واقع قطاع الناقلات البحرية

أعلنت اللجنة المنظمة لمؤتمر ومعرض سيتريد الشرق الأوسط للقطاع البحري عن تنظيم مؤتمر خاص لقطاع الناقلات البحرية الذي يشهد نمواً ملحوظاً في المنطقة خلال السنوات الماضية، وذلك ضمن فعاليات أسبوع دبي البحري والذي ينعقد برعاية سمو الشيخ حمدان بن محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم، ولي عهد دبي، في نهاية شهر أكتوبر القادم.

وبهذا السياق قال كريس هايمان، رئيس مجلس إدارة "سيتريد": "يسعدنا تنظيم هذا الحدث المتخصص في مجال الناقلات البحرية مجدداً بعد المناقشات التي أجريناها مع الأطراف المعنية بهذا القطاع والذي يستمر بتسجيل نتائج إيجابية أكبر بالمقارنة مع قطاعات النقل الأخرى بالإضافة إلى انخفاض أسعار النفط بشكل كبير خلال الفترة الماضية".

وينعقد هذا الحدث "Seatrade Tanker Middle East" يوم الثلاثاء 1 نوفمبر ضمن فعاليات مؤتمر ومعرض سيتريد الشرق الأوسط للقطاع البحري، وستتم إدارة جلساته من قبل كاثرينا ستانزيل، مدير عام شركة INTERTANKO، والتي تتمتع بخبرة غنية وواسعة في قطاع الناقلات البحرية.

وتبعث المؤشرات الحالية على زيادة الطلب على واردات النفط الخام في الهند والصين على مزيد من التفاؤل، ويوجد المزيد من الطلب بفضل منح تراخيص استيراد لمصافي التكرير الصينية المملوكة للقطاع الخاص، وهو اتجاه يتوقع أن يستمر في الأشهر المقبلة. كما أن نمو إمدادات أوبك قريبة الأجل وانخفاض إنتاج الولايات المتحدة سيسهم في نمو الطلب على قطاع الناقلات البحرية.

وتمثل مشاريع مصافي النفط الجديدة دلالة جيدة بالنسبة لقطاع ناقلات النفط، فيما سيضيق قطاع التمويل جزئياً على الطلبات الجديدة على الرغم من انخفاض الأسعار. ومن المنتظر في الوقت نفسه أن تشكل عودة إيران إلى السوق تغييرات جديدة مثيرة للاهتمام.

وسوف يتضمن هذا الحدث الذي يستمر لمدة نصف يوم مناقشة شاملة لركائز وأساسيات سوق ناقلات النفط الخام، بالإضافة إلى دراسة وتحليل العوامل المؤثرة على حجم الطلب على ناقلات النفط. ويمكن للزوار والمندوبين تبادل الآراء مع المتحدين الرئيسيين والاستفادة من الفرصة التي يمثلها هذا الحدث للتواصل مع أهم وأبرز الخبراء.

ويمكن الاطلاع على مزيد من المعلومات عبر زيارة الموقع الإلكتروني: www.seatrade-middleeast.com

Global oil industry cautious ahead of Iran's landmark licence round

- Projects on ice awaiting crucial petroleum contract

International oil & gas companies remain cautious ahead of the recent announcement of a licencing round later this month, says international law firm Pinsent Masons.

International oil companies are gearing up for the licence round expected to be launched on 21 June. The bidding process is expected to grant international companies access to Iran's natural resources for the first time since onerous trade sanctions were lifted earlier this year.

But energy experts say efforts to kick-start exploration and production in Iran could be stymied due to the delay in finalising the new model contract outlining vital terms of investment and returns for O&G projects.

O&G expert at Pinsent Masons Niazi Kabalan, said: "It is possible that the licensing round might focus on investment in existing infrastructure upgrades, and defer the grant of new exploration and production rights until the model IPC is finalised’’.

"There is still an appetite to invest in Iran across many parts of the oil and gas community," says Niazi Kabalan. "While the licence round signals support for overseas investment, the lack of clear terms means plans may well be put on ice for the short term. The model petroleum contract must be finalised if Iran truly wants to realise its global ambitions."

‘Companies in the Banking and Finance Sector in Egypt can Solve Compliance Challenges with Information Management Technology Solutions’, says Expert

Banking & finance compliance departments need to get up to speed with the latest information management technology

CAIRO, Egypt, 21st June, 2016: Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Compliance Officers in the financial sector in Egypt have a tough job. Whether they work in banking, insurance or capital markets, these employees are tasked with ensuring their companies comply with regulatory requirements and internal policies. With scrutiny intensifying, fines and other penalties on the rise, companies are making their compliance departments a priority.

Emma Isichei, Worldwide Category Director, Capture Solutions at Kodak Alaris  says that as technology changes the way companies communicate with their customers, accelerating the pace at which financial services’ business operates, the speed of compliance departments’ operations must keep up - across information coming in, moving around the organisation and finally going out to their stakeholders.

Compliance’s Seat in the C Suite

Just how important is the compliance department? While getting new customers and serving existing ones is top priority for any financial services provider, proper and timely regulatory compliance ranks a close second. Most compliance officers—77 percent, according to Accenture’s 2015 Compliance Risk Study—report directly to their company’s board or CEO, giving them a seat at the decision-makers’ table.

Compliance is also a significant change agent; 80 percent of respondents to the same study say compliance will be the “pre-eminent group” able to affect culture change within their firms over the next five years. “In our view,” Accenture states, “expectations of compliance have never been higher,” with the function needing to leverage its influence to become a “positive and disruptive force” in how banks and other financial services firms innovate and evolve.[1]

How Compliance is Changing

Compliance officers operate in a range of industries, from healthcare to telecom to agriculture. But in no area is the role more important than in financial services. The maze of laws, regulations and internal policies, not to mention the increased scrutiny used to oversee firms, makes financial services compliance particularly challenging. The changing ways in which customers—from large institutions to individual investors—are interacting with financial firms further complicates matters. What’s more, the increasing burden of digital documentation, email records and other online communications means today’s compliance officers must place a greater focus on information management.

Ms. Isichei says that key technology areas need particular attention, and if handled correctly, they can pay significant dividends to compliance departments:

• Data management: With the increased volume of data within an organisation, it is vital that the business understands what it has, how it is stored and what the “journey” of this information is; as they need to be able to comply with the audits and reporting that they need to regularly provide the relevant regulatory agencies, and also, the general public. 
• Data analytics: It’s not enough to just store data. Financial services companies need analytics tools to uncover trends (and pain points) as early as possible. This is especially important in the compliance area, where getting ahead of issues can make all the difference. Handling the issue before it gets out of control can help avoid a large fine and negative press.
• Communications management: Managing customer interactions is particularly challenging today, as customers visit retail locations, interact with call centres and communicate with the bank via email, text, web, live chat and more. Managing all of this unstructured or semi-structured data is an important task for today’s compliance departments. While digital communication is difficult to manage, paper trails may be even harder.

• Improved data management tools—including more automated document workflows and analytics are needed to pull “needles out of the data haystacks”. This can turn data into an asset rather than a burden.

The Compliance Answer

Leveraging advanced data management tools and processes can transform the role of compliance. At a time when compliance departments are being inundated by more data than ever, these tools are essential. Modern Information management solutions that enable web and mobile capture can help financial services compliance departments get their job done better, faster and at a lower cost and are well-suited to help transform document and data management-heavy departments such as regulatory compliance via improved workflow automation.

Furthermore, it is vital that a business has the right capture process, whether at point of need, centralised or though mobile tools, as this can turn data into an asset rather than a burden. Better solutions can also help legal departments keep up with new regulations and ensure compliance is on top of evolving rules and laws. The entire organization benefits from improved operational efficiency, and concerns about potential fines and penalties for non-compliance are reduced.

-Ends-

Istanbul Is Still Open To Discovery, Remains a Premium Luxury Destination

The St. Regis Istanbul Welcomes Guests Celebrating Eid Al Fitr with Perfect Getaway Packages

Istanbul, Turkey – Istanbul has long been one of the most visited destinations among guests due to its culturally-familiar environment, world-class retail options, art galleries, excellent dining, exciting nightlife and luxury accommodation across the city. Complementing this inviting destination, The St. Regis Istanbul welcomes families from the Middle East looking to celebrate Eid Al Fitr for a perfect getaway.

 Nestled in the sophisticated Nişantaşı neighbourhood, The St. Regis Istanbul prides on its prestigious address which is surrounded by chic designer boutiques, boutique art galleries and the shimmering Bosphorus close by. The residential hotel sits atop Maçka Park and boasts breathtaking, floor-to-ceiling views of the Bosphorus from the 118 guestrooms and suites.  Designed by award-winning Turkish architect Emre Arolat, The St. Regis Istanbul is a modern interpretation of Istanbul’s glamorous Art Deco era with a variety of contemporary art installations.

Fewer tourist visiting Turkey’s beautiful capital due to the current turmoil, makes it better time for travellers to discover the rich heritage and culture of Istanbul with ease. Visitors can explore the inspiring city for a true Turkish experience.

“The tourism industry is down but most parts of the city continue to remain a safe haven due to the care and trust of the locals. The biggest challenge is communicating this to potential visitors,” says Rui Reis, General Manager, The St. Regis Istanbul, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Ince. “With shorter queues at local attractions and enticing packages offered at the entertaining and dining venues, enhancing any average travellers stay in Istanbul”, said Reis

The St. Regis Istanbul has extended a privileged package for Eid-Al-Fitr, offering a journey to discover the finest address in Istanbul.  The bespoke experience includes daily breakfast, an upgrade in the room category, early check in and late check-out and a food and beverage credit worth USD 100 which can be used at the St. Regis Brasserie, a classic Parisian brassiere and Wolfgang Puck’s iconic Spago.

The exclusive package is available between 01 to 10 July for a minimum stay of three nights, with a starting rate of € 310 (approx. AED 1285) + VAT per night.

Following in the tradition of the St. Regis brand’s legendary New York hotel, The St. Regis Istanbul features the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels including the signature St. Regis Butler Service, bespoke guest experiences and luxury accommodations tailored to global travellers. Trained in British tradition, the butlers provide unparalleled attention and unobtrusive service while anticipating guest needs and customising each guest’s stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences.

In the spirit of gift giving during Eid, the resort offers a tailored shopping retreat, in collaboration with premium department store Harvey Nichols. The personalised styling services provide guests with exclusive previews of the latest collection in store’s personal shopping lounge or at the hotel and exclusive access to over 450 brands in Harvey Nichols and Brandroom, as well as in privileged luxury boutiques located at the hotel itself, going around in Bentley transportation, making it the ultimate trip for GCC likes.

For more information on The St. Regis Istanbul, please visit http://www.stregis.com/istanbul.

اسطنبول وكنوزها المفتوحة للاستكشاف في طليعة الوجهات السياحية الفاخرة

"سانت ريجيس اسطنبول" يرحب بضيوفه القادمين للاحتفال بعيد الفطر السعيد عبر مجموعة من العروض المثالية المخصصة لهذه المناسبة

دبي، الإمارات العربية المتحدة، 19 يونيو 2016: لاتزال اسطنبول ومنذ مدة طويلة مقصداً رائجاً للسياح نظراً لما تتمتع به من بيئة ثقافية محببة وخيارات تسوق رفيعة المستوى، وصالات فنية فاخرة، ومطاعم ممتازة، وحياة ليلية مثيرة، فضلاً عن أماكن السكن الفارهة في مختلف أنحاء المدينة. واستكمالاً لهذا المشهد الجذاب، يرحب فندق "سانت ريجيس اسطنبول" بالعائلات الشرق أوسطية القادمة بحثاً عن ملاذ مثالي للاحتفال بعيد الفطر السعيد.

يقع الفندق في حي نيشانتاشي أحد أكثر الأحياء الراقية في اسطنبول، تحيط به المتاجر الفاخرة، والمعارض الفنية فضلاً عن قربه من مضيق البوسفور المتلألئ. يطل الفندق على حديقة "ماتشكا" وتتمتع غرفه وأجنحته البالغة 118 بإطلالات خلابة تصل ما بين الأرضية والسقف على البوسفور. ويمثل الفندق، الذي قام بتصميمه المهندس المعماري التركي الشهير إيمري أرولات، تجسيداً حديثاً لحقبة "أرت ديكو" الرائعة في اسطنبول مع تشكيلة متنوعة من الأعمال الفنية المعاصرة.

ونظراً لقلة عدد السياح القادمين إلى المدينة التركية الجميلة لما تشهده البلاد من اضطرابات حالية، فإن هذا يمنح المسافرين فرصة مثالية لاستكشاف الإرث والثقافة الغنية بيسر وسهولة. حيث يمكن للزوار استطلاع هذه المدينة الملهمة بحثاً عن تجربة تركية أصيلة وحقيقية.

وفي هذه الصدد، يتحدث روي ريس، المدير العام لدى فندق "سانت ريجيس اسطنبول" التابع لمجموعة فنادق ومنتجعات "ستاروود" العالمية: "بالرغم من التراجع الذي يشهده القطاع السياحي، إلا أن معظم أجزاء المدينة لا تزال تمثل ملاذاً آمناً نظراً للرعاية والثقة التي يتصف به السكان المحليون. لكن التحدي الأكبر يتمثل في إيصال هذه الفكرة إلى الزوار المستقبليون. فضلاً عن الفرص المتاحة حالياً من حيث انخفاض أعداد زوار الوجهات المحلية والحزم المثيرة المتوفرة في أماكن الترفيه والمطاعم، وهو ما يعزز من إمكانية الإقامة للمسافرين من الفئة المتوسطة."

وفي عيد الفطر، يعتزم فندق "سانت ريجيس اسطنبول" توسيع حزمته المميزة الخاصة بهذه المناسبة، من خلال توفير رحلة استكشافية لأرقى العناوين في اسطنبول. وتشمل هذه التجربة المخصصة وجبة افطار يومية، وترقية في فئة الغرفة، وإمكانية تسجيل الدخول المبكر والخروج المتأخر، وبطاقة ائتمان للمأكولات والمشروبات بقيمة 100 دولار أمريكي يمكن استخدامها في "سانت ريجيس براسيري"، المطعم الباريسي الكلاسيكي و"سباجو" الشهير التابع للطاهي المعروف "ولفجانج باك".

تتوفر الحزمة الحصرية من 1 ولغاية 10 يوليو بمدة إقامة دنيا لثلاث ليال، بسعر يبدأ من 310 يورو (وسطياً 1282 درهم) + قيمة الضريبة المضافة لكل ليلة.

وإذ يتبع الفندق في تقاليده فندق "نيويورك" الأسطوري، يقدم "سانت ريجيس اسطنبول" بصماته الخاصة الشهيرة لدى فنادق "سانت ريجيس" بما في ذلك خدمة البواب الفاخرة، وتجارب الضيوف المعدة وفق الطلب، وأماكن الإقامة الفاخرة والمصممة وفق طلبات المسافرين العالميين. وإذ يتمتع العاملون لدينا بخبرة تدريبية في التقاليد البريطانية، فإنهم يولون اهتماماً لا مثيل له ويقدمون خدمة مريحة للغاية مع توقع احتياجات الضيوف وتخصيص إقامة كل ضيف وفقاً لأذواقه الخاصة وما يفضله.

 ومع ما يسود العيد من روح الهدايا والعطاء، يوفر المنتجع وجهة تسوق مخصصة، بالتعاون مع المتجر الرائد "هارفي نيكولز". حيث تتيح الخدمات الأنيقة الشخصية للضيوف فرصة الاطلاع على أحدث المجموعات في ردهة التسوق الشخصية في المتجر أو في الفندق والوصول الحصري إلى ما يزيد عن 450 علامة في "هارفي نيكولز" و"براندروم"، فضلاً عن المتاجر الفاخرة فائقة المستوى الواقعة في الفندق نفسه، والتجول في "بنتلي"، وهو ما يجعلها رحلة مثلى للضيوف القادمين من الخليج.

لمزيد من المعلومات حول فندق "سانت ريجيس اسطنبول"، يرجى زيارة الموقع http://www.stregis.com/istanbul.