NEC XON to Advance Cyber Resilience at Palo Alto Networks Ignite Tour Johannesburg

Johannesburg, South Africa - 18 February 2026 - NEC XON has announced its sponsorship and participation in the upcoming Ignite On Tour Johannesburg, hosted by Palo Alto Networks on 26 February 2026 at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. The event will bring together cybersecurity leaders, architects and decision-makers to explore how modern security platforms can be operationalised to reduce risk and improve response in real-world environments.

Ignite On Tour Johannesburg forms part of Palo Alto Networks’ global Ignite series, focused on translating cybersecurity vision into execution through Zero Trust, modern security operations centres (SOC) and automation across hybrid and multi-cloud estates. As a strategic cybersecurity partner, NEC XON will demonstrate how these principles move beyond theory to measurable business outcomes.

Operationalising cybersecurity vision
“Ignite Tour is where vision meets execution,” says Armand Kruger, Head of Cybersecurity at NEC XON. “At NEC XON, we don’t just design cybersecurity strategies - we operationalise them. Together with Palo Alto Networks, we’re showing customers how Zero Trust, modern SOC, and automation translate into measurable risk reduction and faster response in real environments.”

Arthur Taylor, Cybersecurity Pre-Sales Architect | NEC XON

NEC XON’s participation will be led by Arthur Taylor, Cybersecurity Pre-Sales Architect, who works closely with customers to design and implement integrated security architectures aligned to business risk.
 
“Security outcomes depend on architecture,” says Taylor. “Our collaboration with Palo Alto Networks enables NEC XON to deliver tightly integrated detection, prevention and response across hybrid estates. That integration is what allows organisations to simplify operations while strengthening their security posture.”
 
Building on an established partnership
The Ignite Tour engagement builds on an established partnership between NEC XON and Palo Alto Networks, which has delivered tangible results for organisations across Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2025, NEC XON was named Palo Alto Networks Sub-Saharan Africa Partner of the Year, recognising its technical expertise, platform-led approach and customer impact.
 
That track record includes helping enterprises consolidate fragmented security tools into unified platforms, reduce operational overheads, and accelerate threat detection and response through managed detection and response (MDR) and extended MDR (XMDR) services.
 
As a Palo Alto partner, NEC XON will engage with customers and partners at Ignite On Tour Johannesburg to showcase how integrated security platforms, combined with local expertise, can turn cybersecurity into a measurable business enabler rather than a growing cost centre.
 
Event Details
Ignite On Tour Johannesburg
Date: 26 February 2026
Venue: Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit
Registration
 
About NEC XON
NEC XON is a leading African integrator of ICT solutions and part of NEC, a Japanese global company. The holding company has operated in Africa since 1963 and delivers communications, energy, safety, security, and digital solutions. It co-creates social value through innovation to help overcome serious societal challenges. The organisation operates in 54 African countries and has a footprint in 16 of them. Regional headquarters are located in South, East, and West Africa. NEC XON is a level 1-certified broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) business. Discover more at www.nec.africa.

Issued by: Michelle Oelschig, Scarlet Letter 
Contact details: 083-636-1766, [email protected]