Ziad Nasr, General Manager for Acronis Middle East, explains that MSPs in the Middle East are evolving into strategic cybersecurity partners by adopting unified, AI-powered platforms. Acronis supports this shift with integrated backup, cybersecurity, and compliance solutions tailored for regional challenges.
How do you see the role of Managed Service Providers evolving in today’s cybersecurity and data protection landscape in the Middle East?
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in the Middle East are evolving from transactional resellers into strategic cybersecurity and resilience advisors. With increasing regulatory pressure, rising ransomware attacks, and regional data sovereignty requirements, MSPs are shifting to platform-based service delivery that unifies backup, cybersecurity, and disaster recovery. The use of AI-powered threat detection and automation enables them to stay ahead of evolving threats, while technologies like immutable storage and geo-redundant disaster recovery are becoming essential, especially in high-risk sectors like finance, oil & gas, and government. This evolution positions MSPs as long-term security partners, not just vendors.
What are some of the biggest challenges MSPs face in delivering effective cybersecurity and backup solutions to their clients?
MSPs across the region face complex challenges balancing scale, effectiveness, and limited resources. Many operate in client environments plagued by architectural debt and tool sprawl, making it challenging to gain unified visibility or respond quickly. Over-reliance on automation without human oversight can lead to missed incidents and degraded protection.
Acronis helps address this by offering a fully integrated platform with machine learning and behavioural analytics, while also supporting hands-on monitoring, post-incident reviews, and cross-training to keep human expertise active and engaged.
What makes Acronis a preferred partner for MSPs compared to other vendors in the data protection and cybersecurity space?
Acronis is purpose-built for MSPs, offering a unified platform that integrates cybersecurity, backup, disaster recovery, and endpoint management in a single solution with a single agent, console, and protection plan. Unlike vendors that patch together tools via APIs, Acronis reduces complexity and improves reliability from the start. Our platform is designed for MSPs, with usage-based pricing and deep enablement support, including sales resources, technical training, and go-to-market campaigns. As MSPs scale, Acronis scales with them, helping to upsell services, minimise risk, and reduce time-to-value with automation and simplicity built in at every layer.
How does Acronis enable MSPs to offer cybersecurity, backup, and disaster recovery as a unified service?
Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud combines cybersecurity, backup, disaster recovery, and endpoint management into one native platform. It uses a single agent and console to manage all protection policies, reducing setup time and operational errors. The platform supports physical, virtual, and cloud workloads, including Microsoft 365, allowing MSPs to secure hybrid environments without juggling multiple tools. XDR adds deeper incident correlation across email, identity, and networks. The result is seamless cyber resilience, faster response, and a single solution that simplifies protection for both partners and customers.
Can you elaborate on the role of automation and AI in Acronis’ solutions for MSPs?
AI in Acronis solutions enhances both protection and productivity. We use machine learning for real-time threat detection, behavioural analysis, and automated remediation across hybrid environments. Beyond that, AI guides IT professionals through incident response using plain language explanations and even helps with script automation tasks. This reduces alert fatigue, sharpens analyst focus, and frees up time for strategic work. Our Threat Research Unit (TRU) feeds live intelligence into the platform and supports MDR services with human experts when escalation is needed. We believe AI should augment, not replace, human insight, making protection smarter, decisions faster, and operations more resilient at every scale.
What kind of support and enablement does Acronis provide to help MSPs grow their business and differentiate themselves in the market?
Acronis offers a comprehensive enablement ecosystem to help MSPs scale effectively and stay competitive. Through programs like the Acronis Academy and the MSP Academy in the Middle East, partners gain access to certifications, technical labs, and live simulations. These are tailored to evolving needs, including AI-driven protection, Zero Trust, and multi-cloud security. As MSPs are expected to manage more endpoints with leaner teams, automation and real-world training become essential. We also provide sales and marketing support, co-branded campaigns, and early access to new features. This combined focus on skills, tools, and go-to-market acceleration helps partners deliver more value, more efficiently, and with greater confidence.
How is Acronis helping MSPs address regional compliance and data sovereignty requirements in the Middle East?
Acronis helps MSPs in the Middle East to meet complex compliance requirements across sectors like finance, healthcare, and government. We provide local data center options to support regional data sovereignty and map our platform’s capabilities to global frameworks, including CIS Controls, NIST, Cyber Essentials, and Essential Eight. Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud integrates data protection, cybersecurity, and recovery into one solution, simplifying audits and ensuring security controls are consistently applied. Features like immutable storage, detailed logging, and secure patching support compliance while reducing administrative burden. With increasing regulatory pressure in markets like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Acronis enables MSPs to stay compliant and resilient.
What is your message to MSPs evaluating new vendors today, and why should they consider Acronis as a long-term strategic partner?
Today, MSPs need strategic partners who can help them scale, differentiate, and deliver value. Acronis is designed with MSPs in mind, offering a single platform that integrates backup, cybersecurity, and disaster recovery, while reducing operational complexity. With Acronis, partners can move away from reactive security and fragmented services toward a unified, proactive approach to cyber resilience. For MSPs evaluating their next move, Acronis offers the platform, support, and vision to build long-term, profitable, and secure customer relationships.