Fortinet Secure Talks 2025: Cybersecurity at the Heart of Mauritian Priorities

On Thursday, over 200 technology professionals gathered at the Royal Green Resort for the 2025 edition of Fortinet Secure Talks. The event highlighted the cybersecurity challenges faced by Mauritius, as attacks targeting banks, hospitals, businesses, and public institutions are on the rise.

The Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation (TCI), Avinash Ramtohul, opened the meeting by emphasizing that cybersecurity is the "foundation" of the Digital Mauritius Blueprint. According to him, protecting public data and critical networks is essential for the country’s digital transformation.

Fortinet, a global leader in cybersecurity, along with its regional partner Exclusive Networks, presented their solutions and insights. Discussions focused on the governance of digital infrastructures, skills transfer, and training for professionals, which are deemed essential in light of the increasing complexity of threats.

Founded in 2000 in Silicon Valley, Fortinet ranks among the world leaders in cybersecurity. Present in over 80 countries, the company protects more than 890,000 organizations through its integrated ecosystem, the Fortinet Security Fabric. This system unifies the protection of networks, clouds, and endpoints, leveraging artificial intelligence and automation. "In a world where digital boundaries are disappearing, security must be integrated, intelligent, and automated," explains Paul Williams, Country Manager of Fortinet Southern Africa. With twenty-eight years of experience in telecommunications and cybersecurity, he highlights Mauritius’ strategic position: "The country has the potential to become a regional digital security hub, provided it continues to invest in local skills and research."

The event also marked the strengthening of Fortinet's local teams with the arrival of two experts - Ravi Poligadoo, Major Account Manager, and Avinash Takoory, System Engineer - based in Mauritius. These hires aim to meet the growing demand for technical expertise in the region, while some observers point out the country’s dependence on international private suppliers and the difficulty in training enough specialists.

Participants stressed the importance of developing a cybersecurity culture beyond just technology. According to experts, Mauritius' digital resilience relies equally on the awareness and practices of organizations as well as the technical solutions implemented.

Thus, the Fortinet Secure Talks 2025 illustrates the tension between ambitions for digital sovereignty and the current limitations of the local sector: talent shortages, dependence on foreign players, and the increasing complexity of cyber threats. For authorities, securing data and networks remains a strategic priority to strengthen digital trust and ensure the continuity of public and private services.