• Google Cloud has appointed a new head of security business development for Turkey, the Middle East and Africa.
• The company has tapped telecom industry veteran Noor Al-Sualiti, a prominent Middle-Eastern businesswoman.
• Al-Sulaiti will be in charge of expanding Google Cloud’s cybersecurity products across Africa by liaising with local governments.

Today Google Cloud, the company’s cloud computing arm, has announced that it has appointed a new Head of Security Business Development and Government Relations for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa region in Noor Al-Sulaiti, pictured above.

An industry veteran tapped for her innovative leadership, the tech giant says that Al-Sulaiti brings a “wealth of experience in the telecommunications and technology sectors to her new role.”

In a press statement sent to Hypertext, Google Cloud says that Al-Sulaiti will now be responsible for Google’s cybersecurity expansion in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa. She is also set to “foster strategic partnerships with the public sector to leverage Google Cloud’s cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions.”

Prior to joining Google Cloud, Al-Sulaiti served as chief executive of the Oman arm of telecom Ooredoo. She was the youngest and first female CEO in the company’s history, helping transform the subsidiary into a digital-first, data-powered organisation.

Before her time at Ooredoo Oman, Noor was the CEO of Starlink, a retail chain and IT service provider in Qatar. She was also the general manager of Phono and FASTtelco in Kuwait.

“She has been recognized as one of the most powerful businesswomen by Forbes Middle East and as a notable business leader by other prominent publications,” says Google of Al-Sulaiti.

“I am honoured to join Google Cloud, a company that has inspired me throughout my career. 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,” said Al-Sulaiti of her new appointment.

Her appointment as head of cybersecurity of a major international corporation is a notable one. Cybersecurity in general as a field of technology infamously lacks female representation around the globe.

Specifically in Sub-Saharan Africa, estimates tell that it will take 100 years before women and men in cybersecurity are treated and paid equally, and enjoy equal representation.

While Al-Sulaiti looks to be more involved in the business development side of Google Cloud’s cybersecurity than the actual on the keyboard, programming and defence side of the business, her inclusion should be of interest to other women hoping to enter the industry.

The appointment will have a special relevance for South Africa, as Johannesburg is the location of the company’s continental cloud region.

[Image – Provided]