Fortinet, Aramco partner on industrial cybersecurity initiatives in Saudi Arabia
By SSN Staff
Updated 2:26 PM CDT, Tue October 6, 2026
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia—Fortinet and Aramco have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening industrial cybersecurity and supporting the development of secure operational technology (OT) environments across Saudi Arabia.
Under the proposed collaboration, the companies will explore opportunities in cybersecurity research and development, including the exchange of knowledge, best practices and technologies to address emerging threats. The agreement also includes plans to examine the localization of cybersecurity solutions tailored to industrial environments and the potential deployment of Fortinet cloud services within Saudi Arabia.
The MoU outlines a focus on cybersecurity workforce development as well, with the companies considering advanced training programs, boot camps and workshops designed to build local expertise. The partnership may also provide access to Fortinet educational platforms and foster ongoing collaboration around cybersecurity threats and best practices.
“Securing critical infrastructure requires more than technology. It also depends on strong local expertise, continuous innovation, and collaboration,” said Joe Sarno, executive vice president of international sales at Fortinet. “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.”
Abdul Aziz S. Al Shafi, Aramco vice president of cybersecurity and chief information security officer, said the agreement reflects the energy giant’s commitment to advancing industrial cybersecurity and supporting innovation in the sector.
“This collaboration aims to support innovation in cybersecurity solutions while growing local expertise in this field,” Al Shafi said.
Related: Intel, Fortinet partner on next-generation security processor
Photo courtesy of Fortinet
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