Cato Networks, a global provider of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) technology, has announced a strategic partnership with e& (formerly Etisalat) during International Telecoms Week (ITW) in the United States. This collaboration will establish a new Point-of-Presence (PoP) within e&’s SmartHub data center in Fujairah, one of the premier carrier-neutral facilities in the United Arab Emirates.
This move is set to enhance Cato’s global SASE platform, offering its enterprise customers improved connectivity and security.
The partnership with e&’s SmartHub is poised to unlock numerous interconnection opportunities for Cato’s customers. SmartHub’s extensive ecosystem provides unparalleled access to interconnected communities, ensuring a broad reach to international markets. This integration would enable Cato’s clients to experience reduced latency and superior connectivity performance, optimizing global communications and data transfer efficiency.
By leveraging the state-of-the-art infrastructure and strategic location of the SmartHub data center, Cato Networks reaffirms its commitment to delivering cutting-edge SASE solutions that support business growth and global expansion.
Kanwar Loyal, VP for Northern Europe & MEA at Cato Networks, highlighted the significance of this partnership: “Our collaboration with e& offers organizations unparalleled connectivity and a seamless network security stack, setting a new standard in flexibility and agility. Legacy network tools and hardware fall short of meeting the needs of modern enterprises, leaving them vulnerable to breaches. Today’s organizations require the efficiency and effectiveness of a cloud-native platform, delivering comprehensive network and security infrastructure within minutes and hours. The Cato SASE Cloud Platform offers unmatched control and visibility, allowing a seamless connection from any edge to any service. This enables rapid time to value, increased operational resilience, and reduced risk and costs.”
Nabil Bacoucche, Group Chief Carrier & Wholesale Officer at e&, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating: “We are excited to share our partnership with Cato Networks, reflecting our dedication to building a connected world that nurtures growth for both businesses and individuals. Leveraging our extensive network of strategically located data centers, we provide access to a significant portion of the global population through top-notch infrastructure. We are enthusiastic about supporting Cato Networks with a competitive advantage by seamlessly linking them to international digital networks.”
e&’s SmartHub Data Center Ecosystem
SmartHub’s robust infrastructure is embedded in submarine landing stations and terrestrial borders, connecting the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. It serves as an ICT bridge between continents, ensuring seamless connectivity and continuity across regions.
SmartHub offers a community-based ecosystem encompassing caching servers and edge nodes, catering to Internet users, hyper-scalers, content delivery networks (CDNs), video streaming and gaming platforms, and financial services providers.
Security is a paramount concern for data centers, especially given the rise in cyber threats and physical security issues. The SmartHub data center would meet high standards for service delivery and asset protection, holding Uptime Institute TIER III, ISO/IEC 22301, and ISO/IEC 27001 certifications. The new SmartHub facility in Abu Dhabi has also achieved an ESTIDAMA Pearl Rating of 4 and USGBC LEED Gold Certification, reflecting its commitment to sustainable operations and environmental standards.
As part of its green initiatives, e& is aiming to deploy efficient and sustainable systems in SmartHub data centers to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2030.
This partnership between Cato Networks and e& would mark a significant step in enhancing global connectivity and security infrastructure. It would underscore both companies’ commitment to innovation, sustainability, and providing top-tier services to their customers. The new PoP in Fujairah is set to play a critical role in supporting the growing demand for advanced SASE solutions.
