Johannesburg, 29 Oct 2012
Barracuda Networks, supplier of innovative end-to-end security solutions across networks, data and applications, has renewed its focus on the South African market. This focus takes the form of a range of products and services tailored to meet the needs of the local enterprise, as well as renewed investment in the channel. Barracuda, through its local distributor, LOOPHOLD Security Distribution, will be concentrating its efforts on delivering solutions and support that add value to local customers.
"Africa is an emerging market, and as such presents exciting opportunities for us. The landing of several undersea cables along with improved infrastructure has enabled more and more people throughout Africa to get connected, and the availability of 'always on', mobile and social connectivity means that security is becoming an increasing concern. These factors contribute to a market that is ready for the powerful, easy to use and affordable security solutions that Barracuda delivers," says Sherif AbdElGawad, General Manager, Barracuda Networks: Middle East and Africa.
Barracuda Networks' solutions include data protection, networking and communication products, along with a comprehensive range of security solutions, including spam, virus and Web application firewalls, a powerful next-generation firewall, Web filters and SSL VPN solutions for secure remote access. A variety of services are also available, including hybrid cloud and appliance-based Web security, e-mail security, backup and cloud-based centralised management of Barracuda Networks solutions.
"With many years of experience and a range of tried, tested and trusted technologies, we are well positioned to provide a menu of services and solutions that deliver value for money and address real business pains. Given the price sensitive nature of the market in Africa, as well as the need for solutions that provide sophisticated protection that is still easy to use, Barracuda's solutions are ideal. However, we are also tailoring our offering to meet local needs even more specifically, with security as a service (SaaS) solutions that offers a subscription-based security services model that meets both the technology and budget requirements of the market," says AbdElGawad
"Our cloud-based security service offering enables organisations to get all of the services they need, with none that they don't, through one easy-to-manage subscription. A consistent look and feel across product sets ensures consistent management and minimises the need for training. Through this model, we provide the knowledge and the technology to enable organisations to keep up with trends such as mobility and the cloud, or even offer these services to their customers, without having to worry about the complexity and expense that sophisticated security often entails," he adds.
Taking this security as a service offering to market requires strong partners and a well developed channel. As part of its renewed focus on South Africa and the African market as a whole, Barracuda Networks is also reinvesting into growing the channel to deliver solutions and support local enterprise. A key objective is to grow the channel and invest in dedicated resellers, enabling local providers to deliver effective services and solutions to the market.
"We are pleased that Barracuda has taken the decision to renew its focus on the South African market, and our resellers are excited by the opportunities that this presents. Barracuda is investing into growing a strong and sustainable supply chain ecosystem, and this will be of great benefit not only for local channel partners, but for end-users as well. IT is moving increasingly towards service-based models, and cloud-based security services are increasingly attractive to organisations of any size. We are looking forward to working with Barracuda to bring this model to light in South Africa and the African market," concludes Martin Tassev, Managing Director of LOOPHOLD Security Distribution.
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