Zain KSA strikes MoU with StarLink to widen cybersecurity culture in Saudi

Zain KSA_StarLink cybersecurity deal
Officials from Zain KSA & StarLink at MoU signing ceremony
By Arya M Nair, Official Reporter
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Zain KSA, the leading telecom company in Saudi Arabia, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with StarLink, a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, for cybersecurity and cloud computing services (StarLink MDMC), and to discuss the opportunities of further cooperation between the two parties.

The MoU demonstrates Zain KSA’s thriving to boost the propagation and expansion of 5G applications in the Kingdom, especially in the business sector. This will be highly achieved through a high-end digital infrastructure that enhances the utilization of future 5G applications, providing a solid cybersecurity foundation that reinforces reliability and safe operating processes.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of Black Hat, the world’s largest IT and Cybersecurity event that took place for the first time in the Middle East Edition in Riyadh between November 15 and 17 2022. Such a momentous event was organized by the Saudi Federation for Cyber Security and Programming and the General Entertainment Authority.

Saad bin Abdul Rahman Al-Sadhan_Zain KSA_StarLink MoU
Saad bin Abdul Rahman Al-Sadhan
Chief Business & Wholesale Officer
Zain KSA

“The MoU incorporates the strategic partnerships that we have built to create an integrated and secure digital ecosystem for all telecommunications and Internet-based services and applications in the Kingdom, as this supports the national efforts to build a smart and secure ICT economy. With the launch of our new 5G services and applications, cloud solutions, Internet of Things, blockchain, robotics and drones, we grant empowering our customers from various sectors with the highest standards of data security and reliability, complying with the best practices and striving to advance cybersecurity risk management requirements.”

As per the MoU, the two parties will discuss the possibilities of potential cooperation and further scaling up of cybersecurity services, technologies, and solutions, negotiating feasible and efficient business development solutions. Together they will design and develop a diversified portfolio of services and solutions for the company’s government and business customers.  In addition, the MoU also covers the Intelligent Automation domain powered by AI to support customers in the region with their digital transformation initiatives.

Mr. Mahmoud Nimer, President of StarLink, stated that “Cooperating with Zain KSA, the pioneer of mobile telecommunications, will widen our scope to spread a cybersecurity culture in the Kingdom and the region by delivering state-of-the-art services and products that will help customers integrate advanced technologies with data security through a business development approach. This maximizes the capacity of technical solutions and services within a flexible framework to help address any potential cyber risks or threats.”

Related: Zain KSA to set up 1st EV charging station at Granada Business center