Gopan Sivasankaran is Regional Director, Middle East & Africa, at Rapid7

From AI adoption and cloud-first strategies to smart cities and critical infrastructure modernization, organizations across the United Arab Emirates are embracing innovation at an unprecedented rate. The country truly is setting the pace for digital transformation.

Against this backdrop of rapid innovation, today's security teams are managing increasingly complex environments while defending against more sophisticated, AI-enabled threats. In this environment, business leaders still expect security to enable innovation, not slow it down. They're pushed to reduce risk, improve visibility across expanding attack surfaces, and respond faster than ever before, with limited resources now table stakes.

This shift is changing what organizations expect from their cybersecurity partners, with customers no longer wanting disconnected tools or transactional relationships. They’re instead craving trusted advisors who can help simplify security operations, strengthen cyber resilience, and deliver measurable outcomes.

That's why Rapid7 is excited to announce a new strategic, Middle East-spanning distribution partnership with Mindware.

A shared commitment to the region

The Middle East continues to establish itself as one of the world's most ambitious digital economies. As organizations invest in cloud technologies, AI, and connected infrastructure, cybersecurity has become a critical foundation for sustainable growth.

This is precisely why Rapid7 has continued to invest in the Middle East: We recognize the region's growing importance to the global cybersecurity landscape, and this new partnership with Mindware represents another important step in that journey.

This collaboration is about more than expanding our channel presence, it's about investing in the partners helping organizations navigate an increasingly complex security landscape.

Mindware has built a strong reputation as one of the Middle East's leading value-added distributors, combining deep regional expertise with technical enablement, professional services, and an extensive partner ecosystem. Together, we're creating a framework that helps partners grow their cybersecurity practices while delivering greater value to customers.

Building stronger security operations

Security teams today face a common challenge: too many tools, too many alerts, and not enough time. Organizations are increasingly looking for platforms that bring exposure management, threat detection, and response together to improve visibility and reduce operational complexity.

Rapid7's AI-powered cybersecurity operations platform helps organizations unify security operations, reduce risk, and respond to threats with greater speed and confidence. Combined with Mindware's regional market knowledge, partner enablement capabilities, and technical expertise, this partnership will make it easier for organizations across the Middle East to access modern cybersecurity operations through trusted local partners.

For those partners, this creates new opportunities to expand managed services, strengthen technical capabilities, and help customers modernize their security operations while supporting long-term business growth.

Local expertise alongside global innovation

The most successful cybersecurity partnerships combine global innovation with local knowledge. Organizations want world-class technology, but they also expect partners who understand their business environment, regulatory landscape, and operational priorities.

By combining Rapid7's cybersecurity innovation with Mindware's established regional ecosystem, we're helping partners fortify and deliver solutions capable of addressing today's unprecedented security challenges and threats.

Together, we'll invest in partner enablement and technical training programs designed to help build stronger security practices and create long-term customer success.

Looking ahead

Cyber resilience is no longer just a technology objective; it’s a business imperative. As organizations across the Gulf continue to accelerate digital transformation, security teams need solutions that reduce complexity, improve operational efficiency, and help them stay ahead of an evolving threat landscape.

Rapid7 and Mindware share a common belief that the future of cybersecurity is built through collaboration. By bringing together global cybersecurity innovation, regional expertise, and a shared commitment to partner success, we're helping organizations across the Middle East strengthen cyber resilience while enabling partners to grow with confidence.

We're excited about what's ahead and look forward to working with our partners to build a stronger cybersecurity ecosystem across the region.

Ready to grow with Rapid7? Learn more about the Rapid7 PACT Partner Program and discover how we're helping partners deliver stronger cybersecurity outcomes across the Middle East.

There is a particular kind of energy that fills the room when partners gather with a shared mission. It is part strategy session, part reunion, part blueprint for what comes next. That spirit defined this year’s Rapid7 EMEA Partner Summit in Lisbon, Portugal. And that's exactly what our partners around the world are set to experience at Rapid7’s Global Virtual Partner Kick-off on March 11th.

During the Lisbon summit, it was exciting to see partners actively working with us to deliver better service to our joint customers. This level of interaction supports our core belief that partnerships shouldn't be transactional, they should be a continuous collaboration resulting in a positive shared outcome.

Suzanne Swanson, Rapid7’s VP of Global Channel Partnerships, highlights this shared energy and commitment:

⠀

⠀

A shared path to customer success

A major focus of this year’s EMEA summit was what happens after the contract is signed.

“Today was really about how we work together once we've made the sale and brought the customer on board. How do we continue to add value and make them successful not only with Rapid7, but also in their general security posture?” noted Swanson.

Security is not a one-time event. It is an evolving discipline. Customers need consistent expertise, proactive detection and response, and partners who can wrap services, guidance, and strategic insight around technology investments.

At the Global Virtual Partner Kick-off on March 11th, we will share how our partners can:

• Align with Rapid7’s 2026 strategy

• Identify new pipeline and revenue opportunities

• Gain competitive positioning insights

• Understand regional priorities specific to local markets

• Strengthen collaboration with Rapid7 leadership

Growth and retention move together, and partners are central to both.

PACT 2026: Building a program that works as hard as our partners

Partners attending the recent EMEA summit enjoyed an early view of the evolution of the Rapid7 PACT Partner Program for 2026, designed to make partnership easier, more rewarding, and more effective. 

“This is more than just an annual program update, it’s a complete transformation, designed to fuel growth and unlock greater value for our partners,” said Kelly Hiscoe, Senior Director, Global Partner Programs & Experience. “On March 11, we’ll share a comprehensive look at the 2026 PACT Program during our Global Virtual Partner Kick-off.”

Partnerships built for scale

Organizations face a critical year ahead. Customers are merging platforms, and the demand for managed services is growing. Partners who align early, invest in training, and utilize the full Rapid7 portfolio will be in a prime position to lead.

This is a pivotal year for organizations everywhere. As customers streamline platforms and the demand for managed services accelerates, there is real opportunity ahead. We understand that by aligning early, investing in training, and making the most of the Rapid7 portfolio, our partners can truly position themselves as trusted security advisors.

Rapid7 partners: We can’t wait to see you on March 11th! Check your exclusive email invitation and register today for the Global Virtual Partner Kick-off.