In the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, Microsoft is at the forefront, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to solve complex challenges. From investing in OpenAI to partnering with Abu Dhabi-based G42, the tech giant is ensuring it is at the forefront of the global AI revolution.
Ahmad al Dandachi, enterprise sales director at Microsoft, provides insight into how customer needs have transformed and how Microsoft is responding with innovative solutions.
Evolving cybersecurity needs
Al Dandachi notes a significant shift in customer awareness and demands over the past few years. “Everyone is starting to understand that security is becoming a very complex issue,” he explains. The advent of cloud computing and AI technologies has added layers of complexity to data security, making traditional on-premises security measures insufficient.
Microsoft has been integrating AI into its security products for over a decade.
Al Dandachi highlights this progression: “We started using AI engines in our products over 10 years ago, and now we are moving AI from the backbone to the front end to enable customers to communicate with our security system. » This integration enables a more user-friendly approach, allowing system administrators to directly query security vulnerabilities and receive clear, actionable insights.
“For example, administrators can query their system for a specific vulnerability, such as CVE number 2005376, and the system will scan the infrastructure, check for relevant patches, and provide a simple response. This capability significantly simplifies the security management and monitoring process,” he explains.
Addressing Fragmented Security Solutions
Many organizations face the challenge of managing a “tech zoo”: a collection of individual best-of-breed security solutions that do not communicate effectively with each other.
Al Dandachi points out that this fragmentation can leave systems vulnerable: “If something happens on your endpoint and your cloud posture doesn’t know what happened, that could provide a breach for an attacker to break into the system. ‘organization. »
Microsoft’s solution is a comprehensive, platform-based approach. “We cover about 97-98% of customers’ overall security needs,” says Al Dandachi. This integrated system ensures that if one device is affected by a threat such as ransomware, all other devices and systems on the network are immediately informed and secured.
This approach aligns with the focus on flexibility, which is crucial in the modern cybersecurity landscape, especially as organizations migrate their applications to the cloud.
Microsoft provides technologies that ensure consistent security across different environments. “It doesn’t matter where your workload is today. We can offer you technology that today is on-premises and tomorrow will be transferred to Amazon,” explains Al Dandachi. This seamless transition ensures that security policies remain intact across all platforms.
Compliance with local regulations is another essential aspect of Microsoft’s strategy.
Al Dandachi explains how Microsoft responds to data residency laws, such as those in the United Arab Emirates: “Our technology landed in Hawaii in the fall of last year, which we call Infinity Portal. This means that, for example, if we secure your email, we process the data within the territory of Hawaii, and it does not leave the premises. This approach ensures that customers comply with government regulations while maintaining robust security.
An AI-driven future
Looking ahead, Al Dandachi expects increased government oversight and regulation of cybersecurity. “Respect and governance from the government on security issues will only increase,” he predicts. Governments will want to ensure that their systems remain protected against geopolitical threats and that sensitive data is stored within national borders.
Microsoft’s approach to cybersecurity combines advanced AI, integrated security solutions, and a focus on compliance and flexibility.
By addressing the complexities of modern security challenges, Microsoft aims to provide its customers with clear visibility and robust protection in a hybrid environment. As Al Dandachi summarizes: “We are creating the system that allows you to first have clear visibility, then flexibility in this hybrid environment, and that is what we aim to deliver. »
Read: Microsoft invests $1.5 billion in UAE G42 to drive AI adoption
