Du Enters Into Partnership With IBM To Increase Innovation In Cybersecurity Services
Through the new collaboration with IBM, du is expected to further its innovation in the field of data security while also scaling and improving its existing services to create unique solutions that cater to a variety of end-user requirements.
UAE-based telecommunications operator du has partnered with American multinational technology corporation IBM to leverage the latter’s security software and solutions across its Digital Trust portfolio and its Cyber Defense Centre.
Through this new collaboration with IBM, du hopes to accelerate its innovations in the field of data security, while also scaling and improving its existing services to create unique solutions that cater to a variety of end-user requirements.
“With digital transformation accelerating rapidly and new threats continually presenting themselves, organizations tasked with protecting communities of customers are required to expand their cybersecurity capabilities at every available opportunity,” said Martin Tarr, Chief ICT Officer (Acting) at du. “As such, we are delighted that we will meet this obligation once more with support from IBM. Constant engagement with best-in-class partners is an enduring principle our company adheres to, and we look forward to working with IBM in the years ahead to deliver cutting-edge solutions that leverage global expertise and the very best technologies.”
“Digital transformation is now more critical than ever, and we have lately seen tremendous increase in client demand for our capabilities and expertise across our region, specially on the cybersecurity front,” added Hossam Seif El Din, IBM General Manager in the Middle East and Pakistan. “In the Middle East, IBM’s business partner ecosystem is central to our growth strategy, and we are proud of collaborating with du to help businesses in the region to not only respond to the ever-increasing security incidents, but also supporting them to proactively protect their businesses from emerging threats.”
du’s partnership with IBM is expected to bolster operations centered around protecting the digital environments and infrastructure of its enterprise customers and government entities from cyber-attacks. In due course, du will also leverage cutting-edge technology with open standards, combining it with internal intellectual property to deliver next generation Security Operations Center (SOC) services to clients and consumers. At the same time, du will benefit from unique expertise and specialist knowledge from global markets, which is certain to support efforts to empower enterprise and government initiatives further.
The announcement of the partnership follows a recent study by IBM that did an in-depth analysis of over 500 real-world data breaches occurring over the past year across 17 countries, and found that the Middle East region is the second highest average breach cost amongst the 17 regions studied. du’s tie-up with IBM also aligns with the UAE’s National Agenda mandate to build sustainable digital infrastructure and embrace technological innovation without compromising security.
As for the du Cyber Defense Centre, which was launched in June 2021 with the aim to mitigate cyber threats that put businesses at risk through the use of proven use cases, leading technologies, and a global team of security analysts, IBM’s QRadar® Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) is already its cornerstone, with it helping security teams accurately detect and prioritize enterprise threats, while providing intelligent insights that enable prudent responses and minimize incident impacts.
With the the new partnership, the Centre will now provide even greater value and support to clients in the enterprise and government spaces. In addition to a process-driven approach, fully managed service, always-on security, and peace of mind through an established team of security experts, multiple layers of integrated security solutions will also deliver comprehensive ICT ecosystem protection.
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Majid Al Futtaim appoints AECOM to deliver consultancy services for Mall of Saudi project
Majid Al Futtaim has awarded a four-year contract to global infrastructure consulting firm AECOM to provide lead consultancy services for its flagship Mall of Saudi development.
With the project set to break ground in Q4 this year, the announcement marks an important step in further delivering Majid Al Futtaim’s master-planned landmark mixed-use development, Riyadh North. The development is situated in the fastest growing zone in the city and provides an unparalleled gateway to brands and partners who are seeking to access a dynamic young population with a high appreciation of best in class retail, leisure and F&B.
AECOM’s contract will see the firm deliver lead design consultancy for pre-contract and post contract construction supervision for Mall of Saudi which is expected to house over 600 stores across 300,000sqm gross leasable area. Mall of Saudi is envisaged as an integrated lifestyle destination that will host the largest ski slope and snow park in the Middle East, luxury hotels and branded residences covering approximately 2,000 keys and spanning 214,000 square meters of built-up area.
The mall will feature a flagship Carrefour hypermarket and 31 VOX Cinema screens, including the world’s largest IMAX, and a Magic Planet. To date, leasing progress for the flagship retail space stands at approximately 50% of the gross leasable area for both issued and signed proposals, excluding Ski Saudi.
Ahmed Galal Ismail, Chief Executive Officer at Majid Al Futtaim – Properties, said: “The contract appointment with AECOM marks a major milestone for the Riyadh North development and is a meaningful step in the progression of Majid Al Futtaim’s anchor development, Mall of Saudi. As a long-term private sector partner, Majid Al Futtaim is fully committed to investing in the Kingdom and ensuring that its retail, leisure and real estate projects play a meaningful role in contributing to Vision 2030. We look forward to breaking ground on this exciting project in Q4 this year, bringing us closer to ensuring Riyadh takes its position on the global map as a top 10 city destination and to unlocking future foreign direct investment by acting as a landmark global development.”
Hamed Zaghw, Chief Executive, AECOM Middle East & Africa, commented: “We are delighted that Majid Al Futtaim has chosen AECOM to deliver its flagship retail destination in Saudi Arabia. The award is testament to our strong relationship with Majid Al Futtaim and their trust in our integrated offer, global reach, and local knowledge. The win reaffirms our commitment to supporting Vision 2030 through the delivery of large-scale, transformational projects that create long-lasting impact in the communities they serve.”
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Danube Home launches their all-new Danube Home Services division
Danube Home, the region’s number one destination for all home interior and exterior needs, is now venturing into specialised cleaning & sanitisation services like mattress cleaning, AC duct cleaning, disinfection services, and mold remediation.
“Proper hygiene and sanitisation of homes to keep germs away has become the need of the hour due to the ongoing pandemic. Homes are where one should feel safest. However, that is not always the case. Due to common air flow systems in residential buildings and commercial establishments, and dust and other impurities rushing in through vents or open windows and doors, pollution indoors is roughly 2-5 times more than outdoors causing several respiratory and other health issues in people. Danube Home Services was born to tackle this issue in the region. With Danube Home Services, we aim to provide the best, most efficient services by certified professionals, using the latest technology, and eco-friendly products, at pocket-friendly prices for all residential and commercial establishments. From providing everything a home needs through Danube Home, now we’ll be providing everything to keep residents safe and healthy at home too with Danube Home Services,” said Adel Sajan, Danube Group Managing Director.
The GCC region has seen the most cases of respiratory issues due to prolonged exposure to indoor air pollutants. The prevalence of asthma in the UAE is 8% in the adult population and 12% – 13% among children. Extreme weather conditions such as high temperature and humidity during summer months assist in trapping pollutants within the atmosphere. Sand Storms and Dust make their way into homes along with other pollutants & allergens such as broken fibers, pet dander, VOCs etc. These pollutants start to settle down in HVAC systems, mattresses, and upholstered furniture lowering Indoor Air Quality by raising the level of Allergens. Dirty HVAC coils lowers the overall efficiency of the system, raising power consumption and utility bills while dirty ducts are the perfect substrate for the molds to grow which can cause severe health issues if left unattended. Common AC Ducts and lack of natural ventilation also cause cross contamination making the air stale and stagnant thus causing allergic reactions, discomfort and other health concerns. Common symptoms due to poor indoor air quality and presence of allergens are sneezing, coughing, runny nose, headaches, and for sensitive groups these allergens can trigger allergic reactions worsening asthma and allergies.
To increase IAQ awareness and tackle this issue, Danube Home has experts who can help reduce allergens in homes or offices by thoroughly cleaning the AC Ducts and providing disinfection services. Routine cleaning of the AC ducts and disinfection can go a long way in curbing health problems associated with indoor air pollution. Mattress cleaning and mold remediation are also services that better the health of those opting for it.
“Danube Home Services are carried out by a team of experts using the best in class equipment imported from Spain, Italy, and Australia. Keeping with COVID safety measures, all our technicians are vaccinated and follow all the safety protocols laid down by the Dubai Health Authority. As a brand, we are focused on eco-friendly and sustainable solutions and therefore use only green products and natural disinfectants that are kind to the environment and do not cause any harm to people,” said Sayed Habib, Director – Business Development, Danube Home.
As a thank you for all the brave work Doctors and Nurses have been providing and continue to provide during this pandemic, Danube Home Services is offering free disinfection service exclusively for them, for the first month. To avail the service, simply Call or WhatsApp Danube Home Services customer happiness center at 800 3132, submit your details and share us a copy of your employee id.
Danube Home Services is also offering up to 50% introductory discount on the first booking to everyone as part of the launch. To book a service, call Danube Home Services on 800 3132 / 054 9917770
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Sharjah Investors Services Center by Design Infinity bags Retail Project of the Year title at Design Middle East Awards 2020
Sharjah Investors Services Center (SAEED) by Design Infinity bagged the Retail Project of the Year at Design Middle East Awards 2020. SAEED is a dynamic entity created by Design Infinity specifically to help investors and entrepreneurs set up their businesses in Sharjah.
SAEED’s mission is to provide valuable support for Emiratis, Arabs, and foreign investors to enable them to complete the formalities of a business with unheard speed and efficiency. The main feature of SAEED ’s facility entailed its entrance area. Design Infinity went an extra mile by installing spectacular customised lights mounted on pillars to elevate the design of the entrance. All eco-friendly elements have been used in the fit-out works such as carpets, LED lights, and porcelain tiles. Design Infinity completed this project on a much smaller budget.
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AECOM awarded supervision and quality control services for The Red Sea Development Company’s (TRSDC) new airport
AECOM has been selected to provide the airside construction supervision and quality control services for a new sustainable international airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Conforming with The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC)’s sustainability goals, the entire airport infrastructure will be completely powered by renewable energy, the first of its kind in the country.
“AECOM is excited to partner with The Red Sea Development Company to bring this iconic project to life. This partnership is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of our business and teams across the region,” said Lara Poloni, AECOM’s president. “The airport will provide an unforgettable aviation experience for travelers through revolutionary design and cutting-edge technologies.”
AECOM’s scope includes the oversight of the airside infrastructure construction, the design and building of a 3,700m ‘Code F’ runway, a ‘Code B’ seaplane runway, parallel and link taxiways and pavement works, aeronautical navigational aids, aerodrome ground lighting, airside utilities, helipads, roads, and associated buildings.
Designed by Foster + Partners, the airport will be capable of serving one million domestic and international passengers per year when it opens in 2022. Work is set to commence next month, following the completion of essential groundwork.
“This key award confirms The Red Sea Development Company’s trust in the depth of our resources, both within the Kingdom and across the region and our ability to deliver specialized aviation-related services for this strategic project,” said Ian Laski, chief executive and president of AECOM Arabia.
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CallisonRTKL provides lead consultant design services for Mamsha Al Saadiyat
CallisonRTKL (CRTKL) have provided lead consultant design services from the conception to the completion of the luxury beachfront residential development on Saadiyat Island, developed in collaboration with Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi’s biggest property firm.
With three plots, consisting of nine residential towers, and one plot, consisting of a beach promenade which overlooks the waters of the Arabian Gulf, Mamsha Al Saadiyat evokes the crisp, clean architecture of the iconic Miami Beach in its design. Located in the Cultural District of Saadiyat Island, properties are only a short distance from the Louvre Abu Dhabi, as well as the future sites of the Guggenheim Museum Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum. A range of dining, entertainment, and retail outlets are available along with the signature element of the project, a 1.4km promenade that stretches along the shoreline of Saadiyat Island.
Matthew Tribe, executive director at CRTKL, commented: “Mamsha Al Saadiyat has been a fascinating project to work on, from the initial conception of the project to its eventual completion. We sought to create a development that provided its residents with much more than a place to live, and made use of the superlative global arts and culture scene available on Saadiyat Island as well as the backdrop of the Arabian Gulf to provide a home quite unlike any other.”
Throughout the development of the project, CRTKL undertook multiple rounds of energy modelling, alongside studies of sustainability and materiality, to ensure that Mamsha Al Saadiyat is as energy efficient as possible in its development. In consequence, Mamsha Al Saadiyat received a 2 Pearl accreditation from the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s sustainability rating, Estidama.
CRTKL’s teams developed the respective locations of each of the buildings in Mamsha Al Saadiyat to be responsive to local climate conditions, and undertook a range of assessments throughout the design stage to ensure strong views of the Arabian Gulf and Saadiyat Island’s cultural district. Early works commenced in 2015, with main works commencing in 2016. Construction works on Mamsha Al Saadiyat concluded in June 2020, with the first residents of the development moving in shortly thereafter.
Intelligent Buildings and DSP Design announce partnership for smart building design and technology services
Intelligent Buildings, LLC, and DSP Design announced the availability of unified smart building design & technology services throughout India, Southeast Asia, and Australia. This will bring immediate value to corporations, commercial real estate developers, and tenants looking for technology-infused designs that specifically address public health risks, building cybersecurity and occupant experience.
These services will provide much-needed confidence to enter and work in new or retrofitted buildings, and will also lower building owner cost-structure, transform occupant experience, manage environmental conditions and proactively address vendor risk management (VRM). This partnership, which has been in development for over a year, will assure corporations, developers, and all tenants in the region, that their facilities will be able to adapt to rapidly changing conditions, new technologies and shifting occupant demands while also proactively addressing public health and VRM.
DSP founder & principal, Bimal Desai states: “Smart building strategy and design should never be a separated, add-option in master planning or architecture, especially in these very challenging times.” Desai’s partner also founder & principal, Yatin Patel states that “The public health challenge in buildings is undoubtedly solved with a tight blend of design, technology, and policy.” “This is why we partnered with Intelligent Buildings” added Mehul Shah, also a DSP Founder & Principal “…because nobody has more experience with building technology and policy on scale projects and portfolios than they do, and their methodology is simple, effective and affordable.”
Intelligent Buildings co-founders Tom Shircliff and Rob Murchison say that DSP Design stands out: “We have been fortunate to work on billions of dollars of new projects and billions of square feet of the portfolio in North American and other regions, and that experience allowed us to see that DSP Design stood apart as a top firm in India and Asia” said Shircliff. Murchison added “We were impressed with the number of scale-size and quality projects DSP Design has been a part of and how they are constantly searching for ways to add value and reduce the risk for their clients. They are uniquely positioned in India to provide smart master planning and smart design to address public health, environmental, and cybersecurity risks”.