Demand for NAS appliances rise in Middle East as ransomware attacks gain ground

Khaleej Times

28-02-2025

Cybersecurity threats are on the rise, especially with the advancement of AI, which has enabled more sophisticated cyberattacks. Ransomware attacks, in particular, have become a significant concern for businesses globally, including those in the Middle East.
Against this background, Synology Inc, a Taiwanese corporation that specializes in network-attached storage (NAS) appliances, aims to expand in the Middle East and Africa through a strong channel partner network. 'We actively collaborate with partners to equip them with the necessary knowledge and resources to deploy Synology solutions effectively,' said Michael Chang, Synology's APAC Sales Head.
Synology's latest product, ActiveProtect plays a crucial role in this strategy, as cybersecurity threats and ransomware attacks continue to rise in the region. 'By offering a robust, all-in-one backup solution, we can help businesses across various industries—both in the public and private sectors—enhance their data protection strategies. Through our growing network of partners, we aim to provide businesses in the region with cutting-edge, reliable, and secure data protection solutions,' Chang said.
ActiveProtect is Synology's purpose-built backup appliance designed to offer an all-in-one data protection solution. Previously, the company provided only NAS solutions, but market feedback indicated a need for a fully integrated backup system rather than separate software or hardware components. ActiveProtect addresses this by combining both hardware and software in a seamless package, eliminating integration concerns for businesses. Enterprises with multiple sites can efficiently manage their data protection needs through this appliance, ensuring reliability and security at scale.
The key differentiator is that many competitors provide either software-only or hardware-only solutions, whereas Synology offers a fully integrated solution. 'With ActiveProtect, businesses receive both hardware and software in a single appliance, simplifying deployment and management. Additionally, there are no extra licensing fees, which makes it a cost-effective choice compared to other solutions in the market,' Chang said.
ActiveProtect is specifically designed to combat cyberthreats by incorporating immutable backups, ensuring data cannot be altered or deleted by cybercriminals. Additionally, its AirGap functionality adds an extra layer of security, isolating critical data from potential threats. The system is user-friendly, allowing businesses to focus on their operations without worrying about data security.
ActiveProtect claims to be particularly beneficial for industries where data integrity and compliance are critical, such as government, finance, and manufacturing. For instance, government entities must adhere to strict regulatory requirements, and our solution helps them maintain secure and compliant backups. Similarly, financial institutions and manufacturers rely on data security to prevent disruptions. 'Based on our client base, approximately 30-40% of our customers in the government sector have already adopted ActiveProtect, demonstrating its effectiveness in meeting stringent data protection needs,' Chang said.