Fortinet and Aramco Sign MoU to Strengthen Industrial Cybersecurity in Saudi Arabia

Partnership to Advance Cybersecurity Localization, Talent Development, Research and Innovation Across Operational Technology Environments

 Riyadh: Fortinet, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aramco. The proposed collaboration aims to support the continued development of secure, resilient, and future-ready operational technology environments, with potential areas of cooperation focused on localization and cybersecurity talent development.

Through this collaboration, Aramco and Fortinet intend to explore opportunities for cybersecurity research and development, including the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and technologies to address emerging challenges. They will also explore localizing cybersecurity solutions to address industrial environments’ sector-specific challenges, and explore the potential deployment of Fortinet Cloud services in Saudi Arabia.

The MoU also outlines potential collaboration around fostering skills and talent, including the promotion of advanced and targeted development programs through bootcamps and workshops, possible access to Fortinet platforms for educational and training purposes, and ongoing dialogue on cybersecurity threats and best practices.

Joe Sarno, Executive Vice President of International Sales at Fortinet, said: “Securing critical infrastructure requires more than technology. It also depends on strong local expertise, continuous innovation, and collaboration. Through this MoU with Aramco, we look forward to exploring how our cybersecurity expertise can support more secure and resilient industrial environments in Saudi Arabia, while contributing to the development of local cybersecurity skills and capabilities.”

Commenting on the MoU, Abdul Aziz S. Al Shafi, Aramco Vice President of Cybersecurity & Chief Information Security Officer, said: “This announcement with Fortinet reflects Aramco’s commitment to advancing industrial cybersecurity.⁠‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​⁠ This collaboration aims to support innovation in cybersecurity solutions while growing local expertise in this field.”

About Fortinet

Fortinet is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere our customers need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet’s solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Collaboration with esteemed organizations from both the public and private sectors, including Computer Emergency Response Teams (“CERTS”), government entities, and academia, is a fundamental aspect of Fortinet’s commitment to enhance cyber resilience globally. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinet’s elite threat intelligence and research organization, develops and utilizes leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs.