< Previousinfrastructure—from tracking down a stranded switch port to troubleshooting a connectivity issue in a matter of min- utes versus hours or days. However, while virtualisation and converged infrastructure arms IT man- agers with powerful new tools, it also presents other challenges that should not be ignored. Thankfully, many of these strug- gles can be overcome by deploying the proper power management software to ensure the automated resiliency of your infrastructure, says Yehia. “As such, companies should view advanced power management solutions as an essential component of any well- designed server virtualisation environ- ment. Cutting-edge software will not only better facilitate business continu- ity, but can significantly slash operat- ing expenses, reduce infrastructure re- quirements, and boost productivity and responsiveness,” he adds. Datacentre managers can follow a step-by-step process to achieve an effec- tive cooling policy. They can use technologies such as Huawei iCooling@AI technology, a large-scale commercial platform that to support more efficient work practices. CommScope has demonstrated aug- mented reality (AR) capabilities with its imVision automated infrastructure management solution so customers soon will “see” what’s going on in their lo- cal area networks. The software-based imVision already enables IT managers to monitor and control their network uses artificial intelligence and Big Data for energy efficiency optimisation, says Jeff de Sousa, regional director, Data Centre Solutions, Huawei. The first step of such a process is data collection, which enables the system to collect the operating parameters of the cooling station, end air conditioner, and IT load system. Second is data governance, whereas the automatic management tool is used to reduce, reduce, and clean param- eters. Third is using mathematical tools to analyse the correlation between the completed tables and find the key pa- rameters related to the PUE, including control factors, environmental factors, and process factors. Fourth is the use of DNN algorithm to train the PUE model; the PUE model will then be released to the inference platform to find the best cooling policy from 1.4 million original combinations. DCIM The software that manages data centres, DCIM, can improve PUE, reduce costs and help significantly mitigate the data- centre carbon footprint. DCIM is the software platform There are ex- pensive tools, and incomplete tools, and, in some cases, expensive, incomplete, in- compatible tools.” ASHRAF YEHIA, MANAGING DIREC- TOR, EATON MIDDLE EAST Even marginal improvement on overall effi- ciency (PUE) can have significant improvement. // INSIGHT / ENERGY SMART // WWW.NETWORKMIDDLEEAST.COM /// 30 / NETWORK MIDDLE EAST / AUGUST 2019 /that converges IT and building facili- ties functions to provide data centre administrators with a holistic view of a data centre’s performance to ensure that energy, equipment and floor space are used as efficiently as possible. Mod- ern DCIM platforms provide increased levels of automated control that em- powers data centre managers to re- ceive timely information to manage capacity planning and allocations, as well as cooling efficiency. Uti- lising this real-time data analysis tools can effec- tively combat runaway energy consumption. “It is the intelligent in- frastructure subsystems with the capability to adapt automati- cally based on real-time load demand, bring improvements in energy effi- ciency, operational costs, and life cycle costs. For this, the power infrastructure for the DC needs to be “Energy-Aware”, says Yehia. “Organisations also need to be aware that there are expensive tools, and in- complete tools, and, in some cases, ex- pensive, incomplete, incompatible tools. It is possible to use AI replace humans to optimise PUE and assign a resource to support various different services.” JEFF DE SOUSA, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, DATA CENTRE SOLUTIONS, HUAWEI. Understanding the common problems, and how management tools should ad- dress them, is essential to anyone trying to bring their IT estate back under con- trol,” he adds. Even marginal improvement on overall efficiency (PUE) can have sig- nificant improvement because any enhancement in heat rejection has a cascading effect; therefore, a 1% im- provement in efficiency can reduce several MWh of energy consumption, Yehia observes. AI capabilities built into the DCIM help in several scenarios, says De Sousa. This includes faults predictions and re- placement of routine tasks. “It is also possible to use AI replace human experts to optimise PUE and assign a resource to support different services.. NATURAL COOLING The focus today is to make energy usage inside a datacentre more efficient, and make sure the energy being used is clean (generated from renewable resources such as solar or wind). Across the region subsidised energy is a thing of the past. Energy costs form the lion’s share of operational costs of a data centre and energy efficiency is a major concern, says Yehia. This is driving infrastructure up- grades across organisations who are deploying effi- cient and Energy-Aware solutions, he adds. Considering that a data centre can be a sig- nificant capital expendi- ture (CAPEX) event for most organisations, ensuring that it remains operational for as long as possible will be key to longevity. “Ensuring that everything, including the correct placement of structured ca- bling in overhead fibre raceway to dress- ing cables correctly into server racks, is important in optimising power con- sumption from day one,” says Kanary. In many climates, data centre managers take advantage of outside environmental conditions to cool IT equipment. Under the right conditions, these technologies can save electri- cal costs substantially, CommScope’s Kanary observes. For example, in certain geographies like the Pacific Northwest and Scandi- navia, proximity to renewable hydro energy resources places data centres, co- incidentally, in a prime position to take advantage of “free” cooling techniques from lower ambient air temperatures most of the year around. In the long term, the data cen- tre industry aspires to be 100 percent green, using only energy from renew- able sources, and in some countries they have already achieved this. People in the Middle East must adopt the same approach in operating our own data cen- tres but also in supporting and attract- ing hyperscale operators to set up in the region, says Kanary. In conclusion, Kanary says we will eventually see data centres as the big- gest enablers of human efficiency, sav- ing energy, reducing effort and improv- ing human productivity. Those energy savings, and improved efficiency will undoubtedly outweigh the energy con- sumed by data centres. 3% Percentage of power consumed by DCs // INSIGHT / ENERGY SMART // AUGUST 2019 / NETWORK MIDDLE EAST / 31// WWW.NETWORKMIDDLEEAST.COM /GREEN DATACENTRES ALL THE RAGE GREEN DATACENTRES ALL THE RAGE AS ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND AS ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND ECONOMICS COINCIDE ECONOMICS COINCIDE FRONT FRONT AND AND CENTRECENTRE // ANALYSIS / ENERGY-EFFICIENT DATACENTRES // WWW.NETWORKMIDDLEEAST.COM /// 32 / NETWORK MIDDLE EAST / AUGUST 2019 /(Customers) are very keen to be a part of the global phenomenon of becoming more power-conscious and efficient.” GANESH BHAT, HEAD OF DATA CENTRES, EHOSTING DATAFORT technologies, including Energy Efficient Ethernet, virtualisation, and the develop- ment of more efficient cooling technolo- gies, operators must not overlook the physical layer IT infrastructure of a data centre, says Rodrigues. “The right choice of racks and cabi- nets, cabling and power distribution units (PDUs) can make a significant dif- ference to data centre energy efficiency and intelligent power utilisation.” Within the physical infrastructure, he quest for energy- efficient datacentres is picking momen- tum. The realisation has dawned that our digital world could lead to an unprece- dented rise in energy consumption in the datacentres that are the beating heart of this digital stratosphere. Energy consumption in the datacen- tre accounts for 20% to 30% of the to- tal cost of ownership (TCO). With vast amounts of power required to operate and cool today’s advanced IT equipment, it is prudent to look for ways to reduce this huge operational expense, observes Prem Rodrigues, sales and marketing director for the Middle East, India and SAARC at Siemon. There’s a whole movement behind energy-efficient or green datacentres, whether driven by cost or concern for the environment. Green datacentres are on the rise in recent times due to the increasing power costs that in turn have their impact on operations costs cutting across storage, management as well as the customer ser- vice deliverables. Financial implications for green data centres have far-reaching effects. The prominent areas where cost savings are visible include some of the most ad- vanced tools for datacentre efficiencies. “From power consumption with energy- efficient implementations, reduced wa- ter usage, efficient refrigerant and cool- ing systems are some of the ways that lower operating costs and are high on en- vironmental benefits,” says Ganesh Bhat, head of data centres, eHosting DataFort. That said, energy savings are more than rewards, irrespective of incentives or not, says Bhat. “While there are direct cost-saving implications, indirectly, we can contribute towards reducing the car- bon footprint which is a major concern across the world. In fact, it is good to see the Dubai Electricity and Water Author- ity (DEWA) now mentioning the equiva- lent carbon footprint in monthly bills to make customers aware of their contribu- tion towards the environment.” Bhat says customers themselves are now concentrating not just on the finan- cial implications of using datacentres but are also very keen to be a part of the global phenomenon of becoming more power-conscious and efficient. “It is this demand which is spear- heading datacentre providers like EHDF to make adequate changes to meet cus- tomer needs. Therefore, when custom- ers are themselves advancing on their carbon footprint agendas, sustainable da- tacentre providers aim to match custom- ers’ business policies and strategic goals. “It includes the power to demon- strate to customers on how they can de- crease their power consumption, reduce carbon emission and strengthen opera- tional efficiencies,” he adds. The pursuit of greener datacentre in- frastructure is both a technological and operational pursuit. Smart technologies such as automat- ed cooling optimisation using IoT and AI are being employed to modulate the tem- perature and volume of cooling delivered based on the actual requirement by IT loads on a real-time basis. This is done by placing a dense array of temperature sen- sors to determine exactly where the heat load is within the data centre, explains Annit Lalla, datacentre lifecycle services manager, MEA, Schneider Electric. Data is wirelessly transmitted to net- work gateways, aggregated, and sent to a purpose-built appliance where it is ana- lysed by control software. Control com- mands are then delivered to the cool- ing equipment. As IT load changes, the built-in machine learning automatically adjusts cooling output to match the dy- namic data centre environment. “This precise matching of delivery to the actual requirement significantly reduces stress and improves cooling en- ergy efficiency,” says Lalla. PHYSICAL LAYER Whilst power consumption has been addressed in recent years through new T // ANALYSIS / ENERGY-EFFICIENT DATACENTRES // AUGUST 2019 / NETWORK MIDDLE EAST / 33// WWW.NETWORKMIDDLEEAST.COM /cooling energy use is to set temperature and humidity set points as per ASHRAE TC9.9 recommended Thermal Guide- lines that allow temperature at the inlet of the rack to reach to the upper thresh- old of 27 degrees Celsius. Use of aisle containment, blanking panels and grom- mets to avoid mixing and short-cycling of air are other simple measures to im- prove cooling energy efficiency. UPS technologies that now provide close to 99% efficiencies are equally ben- eficial to save close to 4-5% of energy that is otherwise wasted in the form of heat and conversion losses in legacy UPS systems and must be considered during new design or upgrades of data centres. Lower heat losses also require a much lower capacity of cooling infrastructure, explains Rodrigues. A key principle to understand is that reducing energy consump- tion can reduce the power capacity-related costs as well as the energy costs, Lalla observes. “Tem- porary savings like load shedding or server pow- er management reduces electricity costs but do not necessarily reduce the power rating of the physical infrastructure and the related capital costs. Permanent or structural changes like high-efficiency servers or high-efficiency UPS systems reduce both the electricity costs and the infrastructure costs. For data centres, a general rule is that structural consump- tion avoidance is worth approximately twice as much as temporary consump- tion avoidance.” Cabinets that are designed to con- trol airflow can have a huge impact on maximizing thermal management and efficiency. For example, high-flow front and rear doors that allow for 82% airflow will facilitate proper hot aisle/cold aisle circulation, observes Rodrigues. Cabinet accessories such as brush guards, blanking panels and grommets also help control airflow and tempera- ture. Vertical exhaust ducts (chimneys) the most important area of focus should be cooling and airflow management, fol- lowed by improvement in UPS efficien- cies, says Lalla. “Cooling easily consumes close to 50% of energy in the data centre and usually has the most potential for savings,” he adds. The easiest no-cost way to reduce can passively direct exhaust heat from active equipment into the return air space to increase HVAC efficiency and can be field extended to a range of ceiling heights. This keeps hot air from entering the data centre space and controls the flow of air to the CRAC units, increas- ing the delta T (the difference between intake and exhaust temperatures) for op- timal efficiency. Another aspect to consider is cable management, says Siemon’s Rodrigues. Proper vertical cable management that moves datacentre cables out of the hori- zontal equipment mounting areas and away from equipment cooling fans im- proves overall airflow and cooling effi- ciency. Wider 800mm-wide cabinets, like those offered as part of Siemon’s Wheel- House range of data centre cabling sys- tems, feature zero-U space on each side of the cabinet for cable management, patch- ing and for power dis- tribution units (PDUs). This improves thermal management inside the cabinet but also allows for increased active equipment density in the cabinet’s hori- zontal space. On the software side of things, the latest DCIM platforms can now be fully automated be it for inventory manage- ment, capacity management, change management or IT optimisation. “DCIM platforms can further be integrated with IT and network man- agement tools as well as building management and utility level power management software to analyse and understand the impact of changes in one system to another,” says Lalla. Colocation providers can use DCIM tools, like a tenant portal, to inform their tenants of their operational status. The operational status may mean the amount of power a tenant is using any given day, or the maximum temperature their IT equipment gets at the front of the rack, or even the optimal location 25% Ratio of energy consumption to TCO The right choice of racks and cabinets, cabling and PDUs can make a significant difference to energy efficiency.” PREM RODRIGUES, SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR FOR THE MIDDLE EAST, INDIA AND SAARC AT SIEMON // ANALYSIS / ENERGY-EFFICIENT DATACENTRES // WWW.NETWORKMIDDLEEAST.COM /// 34 / NETWORK MIDDLE EAST / AUGUST 2019 /to install their next server, based on the availability of network ports, power, cooling, and rack space. “This transpar- ency goes a long way in building trust and goodwill with their colocation part- ner,” says Lalla. COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE Indeed, cloud service providers are at the forefront of the global drive for ef- ficient datacentres. Bhat says eHDF is making progres- sive changes in its datacentre, an ongo- ing process across various upgrades and implementations. “The last two years have been major game changers with considerable investments of around AED 2 million to strategically work to- wards becoming more energy efficient. It has also helped us in making inroads into lowering our power consumption and carbon footprint,” says Bhat. eHDF’s investments in energy effi- ciency have been centered around cool- ing systems equipped with the latest technology. “We have laid overhead ca- ble trays within our datacentres which are double layered to accommodate copper and fibre-optic cables. Addition- ally, our power cables are placed under a raised floor which helps in energy ef- ficiency. These initiatives are also sup- ported by the re-alignment of the hot and cold aisles. This has benefitted in uniform and unhindered airflow which allows for higher energy efficiency,” Bhat explains. In a competitive landscape where Matching of delivery to the actual requirement reduces stress and improves cooling energy efficiency.” ANNIT LALLA, DATACENTRE LIFECYCLE SERVICES MANAGER, MEA, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC. Rarely do commercial and ethical pursuits intersect. However, in the quest for greener datacentres, customers, ser- vice providers, and technology providers seem to be talking with both their hearts and their pockets. Building more energy efficient datacentres is as commercially- viable as it is noble. every player is using the same energy source at the same cost, reducing ener- gy spend becomes a key differentiating factor in staying ahead in the game and improving margins that can be passed on to the consumer or ploughed back as investments in innovation, automation and upgrades, observes Lalla. It is also important to note that cli- mate change is impacting every region in the world including the Middle East. “Using more energy-efficient and clean- er technologies ultimately don’t benefit just the immediate user but also has a larger impact in reducing overall de- mand for power that is generated using fossil fuels,” Lalla adds. Energy is a key ingredient to fa- cilitate economic development in the Middle East. Expectations for a rapidly growing economy in the next decade will likely cause an increase in the fraction of energy consumed domestically limiting what is available for export. These chal- lenges are the biggest for resource-rich countries since their economy is heavily dependent on fossil fuel exports along- side an energy-intensive economy, ob- serves Lalla. “However, inefficient energy pro- duction and consumption have played a role in the deterioration of the energy landscape in the Middle East compared to the global energy system. Thus, this highlights the necessity for suitable en- ergy strategies and effective policies that will be central to sustainable energy development,” Lalla adds. // ANALYSIS / ENERGY-EFFICIENT DATACENTRES // AUGUST 2019 / NETWORK MIDDLE EAST / 35// WWW.NETWORKMIDDLEEAST.COM /D-Link recently launched the DGS-1250 Series Smart Managed Switches with 10G uplink port, PoE output, high port density, multiple management interfaces, and enhanced security features. All models include four built-in 10G SFP+ slots, providing high bandwidth con- nections. Support for IEEE 802.2af/at and a higher PoE budget of up to 370 watts allow the PoE models DGS- 1250-28XMP and DGS-1250-52XMP to power more devices and can be installed in remote locations. D-Link DGS-1250 Series Switch //Product_Watch Want to showcase your latest product here? If you have any new innovative products, please e-mail: david.ndichu@itp.com Hot product The HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Tower HP has unveiled its next- generation HP EliteDesk 800 series with 9th Gen Intel Core i9 pro- cessors. The commercial desktop is designed for high-performance needs, expandability, and security. It features HP Sure Sense, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based malware defence platform for added security. It also includes dis- crete graphics for viewing VR content and capable of expansion to 5 bays and 4 full-height slots. Synology DiskStation DS419slim Synology DiskStation DS419slim is a 4-bay NAS equipped with 2.5” drive support. Underneath the palm- sized chassis, it supports up to 20TB maximum raw capacity with four 2.5” HDDs. Powered by a dual-core proces- sor, DS419slim delivers more powerful performance while consuming only 20.28 watts during operation. It offers sequential throughput at over 223 MB/s reading with a maximum raw capacity of 20TB with 4 x 5TB 2.5” drives. Nokia Beacon 1 Wi-Fi router Nokia has announced it is add- ing a new beacon and several new features to its whole-home WiFi portfolio. The new Beacon 1 comple- ments Nokia’s Beacon 3 platform, while new Intelligent Channel Selection, pre-pairing and bridging features help to simplify network setup and enhance the overall Wi-Fi experience. The Nokia WiFi Beacon 1 is an AC1200 system which covers approximately 1500 square feet (140 sq. m) per Beacon. Auto voice VLAN and surveillance mode 802.1x port-based authentication D-Link Network Assistant (DNA) L3 lite Static Routing ONES TO WATCH The new products are available immediately // PRODUCT WATCH / // WWW.NETWORKMIDDLEEAST.COM /// 36 / NETWORK MIDDLE EAST / AUGUST 2019 /The Ruckus R750 is a dual-band, dual-concurrent Wi-Fi 6 AP that supports 8 spatial streams (4x4:4 in 5GHz, 4x4:4 in 2.4GHz). The R750, with OFDMA and MU-MIMO ca- pabilities, can manage up to 1024 client connections with increased capacity, improved coverage and performance in ultra-high dense environments. The Ruckus R750 is based on the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard and bridges the performance gap from ‘gigabit’ Wi-Fi to ‘multi-gigabit’ Wi- Fi. It is designed especially for transit hubs, auditoriums, conference centres and other high traffic indoor spaces. Ruckus R750 Wi-Fi indoor access point Eaton has announced new capabilities to its existing Gigabit Network Card. The card is the industry’s first Un- interruptible Power Supply (UPS) connectivity device to meet the UL 2900-2-2 cybersecurity standard and enables cybersecu- rity protection of network- connected UPSs. Until now, the Gigabit Network Card had supported single-phase UPSs only, and the latest updates enable the card to bring the same cyberse- curity benefits to Eaton’s 3-phase Eaton 93PM, Eaton 93PS, Eaton 91PS and Eaton 9PHD UPSs, in addition to new features and connectivity protocols to support large data centres and industrial applications. Who needs the product? Eaton’s UPS Gigabit Network Card makes it simple to connect a UPS to a network, improving power system reliability through effective monitoring and management of the power environment and virtualized networks. The cards comply with the UL 2900-2-2 stand- ard, which ensures de- fence against emerging cybersecurity threats. The cybersecurity enhancements include stronger encryp- tion, configurable password policies, signed firmware packages and the use of signed digital certificates. By using the card’s Syslog functionality, IT managers can centrally monitor and receive notifications on the log-in activity on every card, enabling early detection of any suspicious activity, providing an additional layer of cybersecurity. What benefits does it of- fer targeted customers? The Gigabit Network Card uses a future-proof design that allows for feature and security updates and has increased memory and hot- swappable external compo- nents. It is compatible with Eaton’s new environmental monitoring probe, to detect humidity, temperature and contact inputs and provide effective monitoring of rack environments. In addition, the card is compatible with today’s widespread Gigabit network switches and can be installed in Gigabit-only data centre networks. SELLING POWER Miroslav Kafedzhiev, VP & GM, MERTA, Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions SELL IT TO ME Eaton updates UPS network cybersecu- rity card range What is the product? Honeywell has announced the launch of the Honeywell Marketplace, an online hub for enterprises to find and purchase software products, technologies and services. The Marketplace is an enterprise app store that enables customers to evaluate and download software for a wide range of industries, including distribution centres, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and transportation and logistics. Why is it important? The site features products from Honeywell as well as dozens of third-party software vendors. Examples of software currently available include asset tracking, point-of-sale software for retailers, push-to- talk communications, medical tracking for hospitals and password management for mobile devices. Why is it different? Software vendors can conduct transactions directly through the online store to simplify the ordering and deployment processes. The Honeywell Marketplace manages the billing process, which eliminates the need for software vendors to invest in costly backend payment and invoicing systems. // PRODUCT WATCH / // AUGUST 2019 / NETWORK MIDDLE EAST / 37// WWW.NETWORKMIDDLEEAST.COM /This past July, Trend Micro announced the first Saudi national graduation from its Saudi Arabia Graduate Academy for Cyber Security Program. The Saudi Arabia Graduate Academy for Cyber Security Program is an initiative by the cybersecurity firm that aims to foster high-value technology and cybersecurity jobs for young Saudis. During the two-year-long program, participants can develop their general business skills, technical skills, and soft skills, especially thanks to shadowing Trend Micro teams across multi- ple areas. In 2019, the Graduate Academy saw more than 2,800 applica- tions from recent Saudi university graduates with degrees in engi- neering and computer science. The program includes general and technical skills development, including technical and soft-skills training. The program includes out-of-the-box challenges de- signed to put participants’ mental abilities to the test. Participants shadow different teams in multiple areas of busi- ness development, system and technical consulting, engineering, marketing, technical support, and operations, enabling them to identify their talents for future career leverage. The first cohort of 10 Saudi nationals is currently Trend Micro Graduate Academy onboards Saudi Arabian graduates for on- the-job cybersecurity training Training Bridging the training, jobs gap average (51%), according to a recent report from KPMG. Cybersecurity spending is set to reach USD3.5 billion in 2019, according to a recent report by MicroMarket Monitor. However, spending on cybersecurity solutions is not enough, says Dr Bin Ali. “Saudi organisations increasingly need IT staff who can manage security as the foundation for digital transformation, understand the rapidly changing cy- bersecurity threat landscape, adopt the right technologies, and develop internal security staff processes and guidelines,” he adds. Security products are also increas- ingly complex, especially in protecting the cloud, endpoints, and networks. As a result, the KPMG report also shows that about 60% of Saudi Arabia-based CEOs expect cybersecurity specialists and data scientists to be important for the company’s growth. “Programs such as the Graduate Academy for Cyber Secu- rity from Trend Micro can complement university programs with hands-on ex- perience and ensure that Saudi organi- sations can optimise their cybersecurity preparedness,” Dr Bin Ali adds. VISION 2030 Saudi Vision 2030, with its focus on digital transformation, has made great strides in encouraging organisations leverage data to transform citizen and customer experiences. On the flip side, this digital drive has expanded the cyber threat landscape, especially as cyber threats increase in intensity and complexity, observes Dr Bin Ali. More needs to be done on an organisational level for Saudi enterprises to enhance cybersecurity preparedness.” receiving rotational assignments. Every couple of months, they are given a new assignment. This whole rotation will finish in two years; then their career role will be fixed, explains Dr Moataz Bin Ali, vice president, Trend Micro, Middle East and North Africa. Saudi Arabia faces a growing cy- bersecurity skills gap, observes Dr Bin Ali. Among CEOs in Saudi Arabia, only about one-third (36%) say that their organisations are prepared for a cyberattack, much lower than the global Programs such as this can complement university programs with hands-on experience, says Dr Bin Ali. // TRAINING / TREND MICRO // WWW.NETWORKMIDDLEEAST.COM /// 38 / NETWORK MIDDLE EAST / AUGUST 2019 /AWS, OTHERS, PREPARE YOUTH IN THE UAE FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK WITH TRAINING INITIATIVE The World Bank, in collaboration with AWS, and the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education (AGFE), hosted a two-day training boot camp for young graduates in the UAE to prepare them for the jobs of the future. The two-day ‘Skills for The Future Initiative (SFI)’ training program was held at the Zayed University in Dubai, attracting students from 12 institutes who learned about the changing nature of work and received introductory training on cloud technology with AWS Educate resources. Cloud skills today are in high demand across all industries and have been identified by LinkedIn as the top skill that companies need most, for four years in a row. The students were introduced to the fundamentals of AWS technology with the AWS Technical Essentials Training course, which also covered key AWS services and how to navigate them. The course is part of AWS Educate, Amazon’s initiative to provide students and educators with the resources needed to boost cloud-related learning, and delivered by AWS Training and Certification experts. A segment on soft skills training was delivered by AGFE, which is based on the Al Ghurair Young Thinkers Program, an online digital platform that prepares Emirati and Arab youth with the skills and knowledge needed to make successful transitions from high school to university and university to the workplace. Launched in October 2018, over 10,000 Emirati youth have registered on the platform and are benefitting from more than 20 future skills online courses. “Cloud computing and digital skills are growing in demand and are key to driving innovation and economic growth. AWS will continue to invest in workforce development in the UAE and the Middle East through education and training programs to further support the growth of the region’s cloud adoption,” said Zubin Chagpar, head of MEA Public Sector at AWS. To meet the cybersecurity challenge, Saudi government organisations – including the Communications and IT Authority, the National Cybersecurity Authority, the National Cybersecu- rity Centre, and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones -- have been working on national security guidelines, practices, standards, and professional capabilities. However, more needs to be done on an organisational level for Saudi enterpris- es to enhance cybersecurity prepared- ness, says Dr Bin Ali. “One of the biggest challenges that Saudi organisations face is moving to the cloud and protecting cloud infra- structure, especially in hybrid cloud environments that require simultane- ous on-premise and cloud infrastruc- ture protection. Organisations need a security solution made for the cloud, and that can protect the hybrid cloud environment,” Dr Bin Ali. “Complex cloud migration can be a major flashpoint for cyberattacks. Among our 2019 predictions, our researchers predict that cloud mis- configuration during an organisation’s migration to the cloud can lead to more data breaches,” he adds. EXPANSION Trend Micro’s strategy is to strengthen the cybersecurity awareness and skill- sets among young professionals, and groom the next wave of cybersecurity experts in the next few years, says Dr Bin Ali. “Our programs cover trends in the hottest technologies today, includ- ing cloud computing, virtualisation and datacentres, and networking essentials. This knowledge will jumpstart the ca- reer of graduates, and enable them to be ready for the current market demands.” Trend Micro plans to expand the Graduate Academy across the Middle East and North Africa, including to Egypt and Jordan. Cloud skills today are in high demand across all industries and have been identified as such by LinkedIn. // TRAINING / TREND MICRO // AUGUST 2019 / NETWORK MIDDLE EAST / 39// WWW.NETWORKMIDDLEEAST.COM /Next >