US-based Barracuda Networks has signed up distribution partner Redington Value, the value-added distribution unit of leading IT products distributor Redington Gulf to sell its entire portfolio of IT security, networking and data protection solutions.

This distribution deal is designed to complement Barracuda Networks’ existing local and regional channel distribution partners.

With demand for IT security and data protection solutions soaring in the Middle East, Barracuda said its partnership with Redington Gulf will help take advantage of the rapidly growing revenue opportunity across the region.

Under the terms of the deal, Redington Value will sell Barracuda’s entire portfolio of IT security, networking and data protection solutions, including its award-winning NG Firewall platform.

Barracuda said it selected Redington Gulf’s value added distribution arm due to its existing IT security expertise, its extensive reach into larger countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and its ability to meet local demand from smaller but fast-growing regional economies.

In addition to being a leading IT products distributor, Redington Gulf is also a fully integrated supply chain solution and service provider. It has a network of 17 sales offices, 26 stock points and 49 repair centres serving customers in 24 markets across Middle East and Africa.

Paul Lawrence, regional sales director for the UK, Nordics, Middle East and Africa at Barracuda, said: “Our channel strategy is to focus extremely closely on where the best opportunities for growth lie. Organisations across the Middle East are experiencing exceptional demand for improving and overhauling their IT security and data protection systems."

"Redington will help accelerate our ability to put our solutions into the hands of these organisations regardless of where they’re located," he stated.

The Middle East has become a major focus for Barracuda Networks with more than 1,000 customers in the region currently using its solutions.

The company’s growing commitment to the region includes the recent appointment of Sherif Abdel Gawad as general manager for the Middle East.

The growing popularity of social media platforms in the Middle East has added to the security and fraud risks facing both consumers and businesses alike, said the official.

Recent figures show that there are now more than 18 million Facebook users and nearly seven million Twitter users in the region, all of whom are potential rich pickings for a growing number of cyber criminals active in these channels, he added.

Ramkumar B, the vice-president of Value Business at Redington said: “With its comprehensive product portfolio and highly respected management team, Barracuda has the potential to become one of the most dominant IT security and data protection brands in the Middle East."

"Having seen the investment and commitment made by Barracuda Networks in the region, we expect the company to contribute significantly in strengthening our security offering for resellers in the region," he added.-TradeArabia News Service