Crowdfense focuses exclusively on zero-day exploits—the unknown or previously undisclosed software vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit to invade systems. Unlike normal bug bounty programs, Crowdfense works as an intermediary between independent security researchers and government agencies by offering the highest prices for the most critical vulnerabilities. Crowdfense initially offered prices of $3 million for iPhone vulnerabilities, but with escalating demand for advanced cybersecurity, the company now pays anywhere from $5 to $7 million for premium exploits.

What is revolutionary for this model is that Crowdfense has taken business in selling profits of vulnerability research. This in itself represents for most independent researchers a secure and law playground to test out and sell their discoveries. Partnership between researchers and Crowdfense have produced a sustainable ecosystem where both parties benefit and ensures governments obtain state-of-the-art cyber defence capabilities. The success will lie in its relationship with the global community of best independent researchers. This cybersecurity expert is brilliant at finding vulnerabilities in the software that most conventional systems miss out on. Since it offers some of the highest bounties available in the industry, Crowdfense has made it possible for a growing network of researchers to get hungry and motivated enough to find and report on such critical vulnerabilities.

It doesn’t centre only on the monetary deal. Crowdfense actually works with researchers, tests, and refines the discovered vulnerability, standardizes the process to make it appear before everyone as high-quality work but maintains legality and ethical guidelines under which vulnerability research is conducted. It essentially does this “safely, legally, and efficiently.” Doing this streamlined the acquisition process by the company itself to become an industry benchmark.

Crowdfense focuses on the provision of cutting-edge cyber-defence technology to governments. After procuring these zero-day exploits, Crowdfense analyses, documents, and packages the product into actionable intelligence assets, which they then make available to governments. It’s really only these sorts of governments with more, not less, demanding security requirements that will benefit from this never-ending flow of high-quality vulnerabilities that allows them, in turn, to proactively defend against such threats. Crowdfense operates under the tightest export control, compliance, and due diligence standards, thus only allowing vetted institutions to have access to its tools. This transparency is crucial in retaining institutional clients in trust that all processes are not only legal but also soundly ethical. Crowdfense aims to deliver at its highest levels of accountability to consolidate this position as a trusted broker in the extremely sensitive realm of cybersecurity.

Crowdfense’s transparent mandate was to bridge the vulnerability research community with the government institutions. Offering high pay-outs combined with legal protection and streamlined processes, Crowdfense has emerged as the premier destination for researchers who want to prove the value of their work while maximizing financial returns. From Crowdfense, governments obtain a stream of well-engineered, reliable cyber-defence capabilities that meet the most stringent security standards.

Crowdfense is now a name that keeps on gaining speed, especially in the wake of increasing demand for zero-day exploits as global cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Leadership in this space reflects dedication to raising the standards of vulnerability acquisition while upholding the most strict compliance and ethical guidelines.

Citibank U.A.E. began in 1964 by opening its first branch at Dubai. Being one of the first international banks to tread the region, it soon became a forerunner in the financial services space. The second branch was opened at Abu Dhabi in 1971, which signalled the bank’s expansion in the Emirates. Today, Citibank U.A.E. offers its large banking solutions at full service-branches in three of the seven Emirates—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.

Citibank U.A.E. has a diversified portfolio of financial products and services suitable for individual as well as institutional clients. These include consumer banking solutions in the form of credit cards, personal loans, and savings accounts and corporate and investment banking services. To add to this, Citibank U.A.E. offers institutional equity research and sales, foreign exchange services, and commercial banking. In addition to this, it has been focused on digital transformation through the E-Brokerage platform of the bank. The facility, based in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), serves the do-it-yourself (DIY) investor so that he can trade and monitor his accounts online. There exists the sort of digital brokerage that charges 1% of the amount traded per transaction and custody of 0.2% on an annual basis, offering investors a flexible and convenient way to manage their portfolios.

Citibank U.A.E. as part of its commitment towards offering cutting edge banking solutions has embraced digital wallet technology. Though the bank had earlier operated its own mobile wallet, Citi Pay, which is no longer in operation post 2019. Yet, it has gone on to collaborate with popular apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay. From 2023 onwards, Citi Mastercard credit card users can make secure payments through these digital wallets, which would be another success for the bank to continue its operations in addressing the demands of consumers. Citibank U.A.E. has stated specific account conditions. Citibank U.A.E. has maintained a minimum balance requirement to open a low-value current or checking account for the past five years. For 2015 onward, the basic current or checking account has a minimum balance condition of holding at least AED 35,000 in another currency for new clients. The individualized financial solutions remain the main focus; excellent high-end service is provided to high-value clients.

Citibank U.A.E. has remained as one of the key regional hubs for capital markets and investment banking operations. Operated out of Dubai’s DIFC and Abu Dhabi’s Global Market, ADGM, Citigroup Global Markets Ltd. and Citibank, N.A. license the bank. This strategic positioning allows Citibank to provide a range of services-from corporate advisory to capital markets financing and investment banking solutions-to every kind of business. Citibank U.A.E. subsequently serves as an offshore booking center, facilitating clients in their ability to maximize their tax strategies and to better manage their cross-border financial needs through loans and other financial products.

Positioning itself appropriately to carry on the legacy of innovation and customer-centric solutions, the bank is one of the leading international banks in the region. Indeed, its deep roots in the UAE and its global outreach would place it in an important position making defining contributions to the future of banking in the Emirates.

Whether you are a private client seeking tailored financial solutions or a corporation desirous of access to international markets, Citibank U.A.E. offers you the expertise, technology, and solutions to achieve your goals. Citibank U.A.E. is committed to empower clients and support them in succeeding in this dynamic financial environment.

The Chalhoub Group has been the backbone for luxury retail in the Middle East for many years although it has its origins more innocuous. It started in 1955 when brother and sister team Michel and Widad Chalhoub opened the first store in Damascus, Syria. This boutique sold the finest French silverware brand, Christofle. Economic instability and the very small market of Syria forced the family to look further afield for other opportunities. It expanded its operations to Beirut, Lebanon, in 1965, further stretching across the region into the Gulf.

With tensions in political affairs moving upwards with the start of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975, Chalhoub relocated again to Kuwait as the subsidiary there was already doing well. Nevertheless, the final relocation was made in 1990 when headquarters were established in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The move was strategic, as the group now stood in one of the most vibrant and growing luxury markets of the world. Over the tenure of Michel and Widad’s sons-ANthony and Patrick Chalhoub, co-CEOs since 2001-the group has experienced the growth unprecedented in its history. The Chalhoub Group today stretches across the Middle East, establishing retail, distribution, and marketing services for some of the world’s top brands. Unfortunately, Anthony Chalhoub passed away in 2018, and so Patrick is the sole CEO of the group now.

Today, Chalhoub Group operates more than 750 stores in the region and also has a luxury portfolio that includes joint ventures with iconic brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi, and Sephora. This rather unique co-management model gives the company the opportunity to closely partner with those brands and also launch new labels in the market. Retail franchises it covers include Saks Fifth Avenue, Loewe, Carolina Herrera, Swarovski, and Michael Kors, among others.

The strategy of Chalhoub Group focuses much on forming partnerships. In 2018, the firm entered into a joint venture with Farfetch, the UK luxury fashion e-commerce platform. Through this partnership, Chalhoub started to expand into the digital space as it allowed its curated luxury brands on the platform of Farfetch. This move showed how Chalhoub was keen to stay abreast of consumer behavior, especially since there was a rise in online shopping. Chalhoub entered into an agreement with Korloff, a French luxury jewelry and watch house, in 2022, and opened various locations in the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar. More recently, Chalhoub also invested in a majority stake in the London-based e-retailer of personal shopping, Threads Styling, at once further solidifying its position as one of the leaders in digital luxury .

The Chalhoub Group is more than a distributor; it’s an innovator in the luxury market. The company launched a string of own-concept stores and brands to attract regional tastes. These comprise Tanagra, a luxury lifestyle and gift store chain, Level Shoes, an expansive 96,000-square-foot footwear emporium in Dubai Mall, and Ghawali, an upscale oriental fragrance brand. In 2017, Chalhoub acquired Christofle, the very brand with which it began its journey, setting up a full-circle moment in the world of luxury.

Chalhoub Group pays attention to luxury goods, but also to developing its people. In 2007, the company established the Chalhoub Retail Academy in Dubai, then a second branch in Saudi Arabia in 2009. These academies are committed to training the front-line staff within customer service, brand knowledge, and salesmanship so that the Chalhoub Group never fails to uphold its standards in all retail outlets.

The company seems to hold onto a solid blend of old and new. Since its inception over six decades ago, the company was not only instrumental in changing the very face of the retail landscape in the Middle East but also began looking toward international markets. Going forward, its immediate plans are further digital expansion and furthering growth in the portfolio of luxury brands and possibly into Saudi Arabia and Europe.

Innovation and strategic partnership, together with a strong focus on luxury, make the Chalhoub Group a leading player in the global luxury goods market-a true testament to the vision of Michel and Widad Chalhoub, who started it all in 1955.