In a landmark move poised to reshape the cybersecurity landscape of the Middle East, Africa, and Türkiye (MEA&T), Inforte, Turkey’s premier value-added distributor, has acquired Shifra, a stalwart cybersecurity solutions provider with deep roots across the Middle East and Africa. Announced in late 2023, this strategic merger unites two industry titans, combining Inforte’s 14-year legacy in the Turkish market with Shifra’s 15-year regional dominance. The acquisition positions the newly integrated entity as a one-stop hub for cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, technical expertise, and partner enablement, addressing soaring demand for advanced threat mitigation in a region grappling with escalating cybercrime.
The MEA&T region faces a dual challenge: rapid digital transformation and a parallel surge in cyberattacks. According to Interpol’s 2023 Global Cybercrime Report, Middle Eastern nations saw a 32% year-over-year increase in ransomware incidents, while Africa’s financial sector reported a 45% rise in phishing campaigns. Against this backdrop, Inforte’s acquisition of Shifra is a calculated response to fragmented cybersecurity ecosystems and the need for localized, agile threat management.
By merging Inforte’s robust Turkish foothold—established in 2009—with Shifra’s sprawling network across 18 African and Middle Eastern nations, the alliance creates a $200M+ revenue powerhouse (estimated by Frost & Sullivan). This synergy bridges critical gaps in regional access to next-gen technologies like XDR, Zero Trust, and cloud security, while amplifying support for Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs).
Leadership Insights: A Vision for Unified Growth
Güngör Gündoğdu, CEO & Founder of Inforte, framed the acquisition as a transformative leap:
“This isn’t merely a merger—it’s a convergence of missions. Shifra’s regional expertise complements our technical depth, enabling partners to build scalable, high-margin security practices. Together, we’re equipping MSSPs to combat threats like state-sponsored APTs and zero-day exploits plaguing critical infrastructure.”
Ahmed Soltan, Shifra’s Founder & CEO, echoed this sentiment:
“Our 15-year journey has been rooted in trust. Joining Inforte accelerates our ability to deliver end-to-end solutions, from threat intelligence to incident response, tailored to Africa’s unique regulatory landscapes and the Middle East’s oil-and-gas cybersecurity demands.”
Unlocking Value for Partners: 5 Key Benefits
- Expanded Portfolio: Partners gain access to 50+ vendors, including Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, and Darktrace, alongside Shifra’s niche IoT security solutions.
- Cross-Regional Scalability: Inforte’s Turkish partners tap into Shifra’s Saudi Arabian and UAE markets, while African MSSPs leverage Inforte’s EU vendor partnerships.
- Enhanced Technical Support: Dedicated SOC teams, penetration testing labs, and 24/7 incident response hubs in Istanbul and Dubai.
- MSSP Enablement: Customizable managed detection and response (MDR) frameworks, compliance training, and co-branded GTM strategies.
- Demand Generation: Joint marketing initiatives, including Riyadh’s 2024 Cyber Resilience Summit and Lagos’ SecureAfrica Expo.
The Road Ahead: Regional Cybersecurity Priorities
The merged entity aims to:
- Triple partner onboarding in Egypt, Nigeria, and Kuwait by 2025.
- Launch AI-driven threat-hunting labs in Ankara and Johannesburg.
- Address region-specific threats, such as phishing campaigns targeting Middle Eastern governments and ransomware crippling African healthcare systems.
10 Cybersecurity Advisories for Businesses in MEA&T
- Audit Third-Party Vendors: Use NIST CSF to assess partners’ security postures.
- Enforce Zero Trust: Segment networks, especially for critical infrastructure (oil, utilities).
- Adopt MFA Universally: Prioritize phishing-resistant methods like FIDO2 for SSO/LDAP systems.
- Invest in Threat Intelligence: Subscribe to regional feeds (e.g., AfricaCERT) for localized IoCs.
- Encrypt Data Rigorously: Use quantum-resistant algorithms for sensitive tenant/patient records.
- Train Employees on Deepfakes: Combat social engineering targeting executives in high-risk sectors.
- Implement PAM Solutions: Restrict privileged access to cloud identity systems like Oracle SSO.
- Prepare Supply Chain Contingencies: Map dependencies and conduct breach simulations.
- Leverage MSSPs: Partner with Inforte-Shifra-enabled providers for 24/7 SOC coverage.
- Monitor Dark Web Markets: Tools like CloudSEK’s XVigil can flag stolen credentials early.
Conclusion
Inforte’s acquisition of Shifra marks a pivotal shift in MEA&T’s cybersecurity paradigm. By uniting technical prowess, regional insights, and a partner-first ethos, the collaboration addresses systemic vulnerabilities while setting a benchmark for cross-border cybersecurity alliances. As Gündoğdu notes, “Our mission is to turn adversaries’ innovation against them.” In an era where cyber threats transcend borders, this merger exemplifies how strategic unity can fortify digital resilience—one partnership at a time.
