#Saudi Arabia #Riyadh #Polaris #Application Security #Black Duck

Black Duck Launches Polaris in Saudi Arabia

Black Duck® Software, Inc. has made a significant step forward by unveiling Polaris, the first-ever application security Software as a Service (SaaS) platform hosted in Saudi Arabia. This launch is part of the company's ongoing commitment to the Saudi Arabian market and aligns with the transformative goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the kingdom's economy and enhance digital capabilities.

Polaris, developed in collaboration with Google Cloud, is designed to empower enterprises with efficient management of their application security programs. The platform integrates multiple advanced analysis engines, offering organizations a comprehensive solution for their security needs. By hosting customer data entirely within Saudi Arabia, this initiative not only boosts local cybersecurity measures but also enhances data sovereignty in the region. Additionally, Polaris will be accessible to all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries starting July 15, 2025.

Black Duck's Leadership in Application Security

Recognized as a leader in application security, Black Duck has received multiple accolades, including a seven-time designation as a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Application Security Testing. The company's reputation is further solidified by its leadership status in the Forrester Wave™ for Software Composition Analysis and Static Application Security Testing, showcasing its expertise and innovation in the field.

Jason Schmitt, CEO of Black Duck, emphasized the importance of this launch for the Saudi Arabian market. “After opening our Riyadh office in 2022 to contribute to securing Saudi Vision 2030, our introduction of Polaris represents a milestone in providing an integrated platform for rapid and scalable application security testing,” he stated. The platform is designed to deliver a thorough risk assessment, supporting informed decision-making and real-time impact monitoring, thus enabling True Scale Application Security.

Key Benefits of the Polaris Platform

Polaris boasts several critical advantages for organizations looking to enhance their application security:

1. Facilitated Secure Development: One of Polaris's standout features is its ability to enable secure development without friction. The platform integrates personalized dashboards and AI-driven remediation assistance, providing developers with detailed risk descriptions alongside specific code fix recommendations. This function aims to increase productivity in secure development processes.

2. Unified Testing Approach: Polaris offers a single-pane-of-glass view for users, allowing them to conduct comprehensive testing through concurrent scanning of static, dynamic, and software composition analysis engines. This integrated approach enables DevOps teams to quickly identify and rectify vulnerabilities within proprietary code and open-source components. Furthermore, the platform supports various programming languages and frameworks, thus streamlining risk visibility across the board.

3. Scalability Through Automation: The platform automates scanning processes, allowing tests to be performed anytime and on various projects at once. With features to support bulk onboarding from multiple source code management (SCM) repositories and customizable security policies, teams can streamline their application security workflows, significantly reducing the time and effort typically involved in software testing.

Collaboration with Google Cloud

The partnership with Google Cloud enhances the overall value of Polaris, paving the way for increased adoption of strategic application security measures in the Saudi market. Ritika Suri, Managing Director of AI Data ISV Partnerships at Google Cloud, commented on the collaboration, stating that this local hosting of the SaaS application security platform presents organizations with not just enhanced security but also in-region visibility.

Conclusion

With the introduction of Polaris, Black Duck not only reinforces its leadership in application security but also plays a vital role in the cybersecurity landscape of Saudi Arabia. This advancement aligns seamlessly with the country’s broader digital transformation goals, ensuring that organizations can operate securely in an increasingly complex digital world. For more information about the Polaris platform and its offerings, interested parties can visit the Black Duck product page or check out the company's detailed blog post for further insights.