Google Cloud Taps Telecom Veteran to Lead Security Push in Middle East, Turkey and Africa

Google Cloud has appointed Noor Al-Sulaiti as head of security business development and government relations for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa, tapping a telecommunications industry veteran to spearhead the tech giant’s cybersecurity expansion in those regions.

Ms. Al-Sulaiti, former chief executive of Ooredoo Oman, will foster strategic partnerships with public-sector organisations to leverage Google Cloud’s cybersecurity solutions, including CyberShield, the company said Tuesday. CyberShield is a comprehensive offering designed to improve national security through technology, processes and resources for enhanced threat monitoring.

The hiring underscores the growing importance that Google Cloud, a unit of Alphabet Inc., is placing on cybersecurity as it competes against rivals like Amazon.com Inc.’s Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Corp.’s Azure in the cloud-computing market. Governments are key customers for such services.

“Google Cloud is continuously helping governments around the world enhance their security capabilities and respond holistically at the national level to keep their citizens and critical assets safe, and I’m ready to lead the charge to bring these capabilities to the Middle East, Turkey and Africa,” Ms. Al-Sulaiti said.

At Ooredoo Oman, Ms. Al-Sulaiti established herself as the youngest and first female CEO in the company’s history, Google Cloud said. She previously served as CEO of Starlink, a retail and IT service provider in Qatar, and held executive roles at telecom providers in Kuwait.

Ms. Al-Sulaiti has been recognised by publications such as Forbes Middle East as one of the region’s most powerful businesswomen and notable leaders.

Google Cloud said CyberShield provides technology and resources to deliver comprehensive visibility into cyberthreats. The offering can help improve national security while accelerating innovation and supporting continuous cyber defense, according to the company.

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