Advancing Information Security and Cyber Resilience Across the Region
Dubai, UAE — 15 October 2025 — Risk Associates, a leading provider of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) assessment and certification services across the EMEA region, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HexaPrime.
The signing took place during GITEX GLOBAL 2025, the world’s largest technology and startup exhibition, marking a pivotal step toward advancing regional information security and cyber resilience.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Aftab Rizvi, Chief Executive Officer of Risk Associates, and Abdullah Hamad Saeed Lootah, Chief Executive Officer of HexaPrime, in the presence of Kashif Hassan, Managing Director at Risk Associates; Mohammed Faisal, AGM – Business Development at Risk Associates; and Asad Khan, Security Consultant at HexaPrime.
This partnership underscores a shared mission to empower enterprises with standards-driven, technically advanced, and regionally aligned cybersecurity and compliance solutions. Through this collaboration, Risk Associates and HexaPrime aim to help organisations strengthen their defences, achieve sustainable compliance, and build resilience against emerging digital threats.
Driving the Next Phase of Cyber Resilience in the EMEA Region
As regulatory landscapes evolve and cyber threats become more sophisticated, the collaboration between Risk Associates and HexaPrime is designed to bridge the gap between compliance assurance and proactive cyber defence. Together, the organisations will focus on:
- Delivering end-to-end GRC and cybersecurity frameworks built on internationally recognised standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 42001, and PCI DSS.
- Enhancing cyber maturity and threat readiness for public and private sector organisations across critical industries.
- Supporting AI governance, data protection, and digital trust initiatives in alignment with global best practices and regional regulations.
Dr. Aftab Rizvi, Chief Executive Officer of Risk Associates, stated:
“This partnership with HexaPrime reinforces our commitment to advancing regional cyber resilience through globally benchmarked standards and trusted certification. As a leading GRC and cybersecurity authority in the EMEA region, Risk Associates is dedicated to building an ecosystem where compliance and security converge to enable innovation with assurance.”
Kashif Hassan, Managing Director of Risk Associates, added:
“In today’s evolving digital economy, collaboration is the foundation of cyber trust. Partnering with HexaPrime enables us to combine technical expertise with strategic assurance, helping enterprises not only meet compliance obligations but operate securely and confidently in a connected world.”
Through this MoU, Risk Associates and HexaPrime will jointly pursue initiatives that promote cybersecurity awareness, training, managed services, and continuous improvement in risk management practices, empowering organisations across the Middle East and beyond to navigate the future of digital trust with confidence.
ABOUT
Risk Associates
Risk Associates, our passion is simplifying compliance for organizations in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. As a UKAS-accredited certification body, we specialise in offering certifications and assessments that enable businesses to meet international standards, minimise risks, and safeguard their operations. We take pride in our role as PCI GEAR (Global Executive Assessor Roundtable) Advisors, ranking among the top 30 QSA companies globally.
Risk Associate’s industry recognition, encompassing PCI DSS, PCI PIN, PCI P2PE, PCI TSP, PCI SSF, PCI SSLC, PCI ASV, PCI 3DS, CSA STAR, SOC I and II, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27701, ISO/IEC 22301, ISO/IEC 20000, HIPAA, HITRUST, GDPR, SWIFT, MARS-E, and NIST, serves as a testament to our expertise, knowledge and compliance competence. As a Qualified Security Assessor (PCI-QSA) company approved by the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council, we are acknowledged as an industry leader specialising in cybersecurity, compliance, information governance, strategy, and training. Our services extend across Australia, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and North America.
