Fortanix hires duo to boost ANZ data security push

Fortanix has expanded its Australia and New Zealand team with two senior hires as it seeks to meet rising regional demand for data and AI security services.

The company has appointed Sampanna Baidya as Regional Sales Director for Australia and New Zealand and Mohamed Khangi as Senior Sales Engineer. They join at a time when businesses across both markets are reviewing how they protect sensitive information across cloud, hybrid and on-premises environments.

The move reflects a broader shift in customer spending priorities as companies respond to AI adoption, tighter compliance requirements and the long-term implications of quantum computing for encryption. Across the sector, suppliers are increasingly framing these challenges around protecting data at rest, in transit and in use, rather than as separate issues.

Fortanix said customers in Australia and New Zealand are seeking alternatives to fragmented legacy security tools. It argues that buyers want a more consolidated approach that combines encryption, key management and confidential computing.

The regional expansion also highlights the growing commercial importance of so-called Confidential AI, which refers to methods designed to protect models and the data used to train and run them. The issue has become more prominent as organisations adopt AI systems while trying to limit exposure of proprietary information and regulated data.

Paul McClure, Vice President of APAC at Fortanix, said the hiring followed customer conversations in the market.

"These appointments are a direct response to what we're hearing from customers across ANZ," McClure said. "They're dealing with a perfect storm of change between AI adoption, quantum risk and increasing regulatory pressures, and they're looking for partners who can help them prepare for a rapidly evolving environment. Sampanna and Mohamed bring a strong technical understanding of how to translate security imperatives into real business results."

Regional demand

Across Australia and New Zealand, businesses have been reassessing cyber and data security investments as they move more workloads to multiple cloud providers and connect older systems to newer software platforms. That has made encryption key management, access controls and audit requirements more complex, especially in regulated sectors.

The reference to post-quantum cryptography is also notable. Although large-scale quantum attacks remain an emerging threat, vendors and customers have stepped up planning for how existing cryptographic systems may need to evolve. In practice, that has increased demand for tools that let organisations update encryption methods without rebuilding entire security estates.

Baidya said customer thinking in the region is shifting.

"Across ANZ, I've seen a clear shift in how organisations are thinking about data security," Baidya said. "Fortanix has positioned itself to meet what businesses need today and in the emerging landscape, and I can't wait to help organisations in the region take that next step."

Khangi pointed to AI-specific concerns as part of the role's appeal.

"What stood out to me about Fortanix is the approach it takes to security," Khangi said. "The ability to protect both proprietary models and the data that trains them should be a no-brainer for any enterprise working with AI, and Fortanix does just that."

Market focus

Fortanix is positioning its platform around securing data throughout its lifecycle, including while it is being processed. That area of the market has drawn increased attention as enterprises explore confidential computing, secure collaboration between organisations and encryption methods designed to remain effective in a post-quantum environment.

Fortanix said the new hires bring experience in enterprise data security and encryption and will work with customers shifting from hardware-led approaches to software-defined models. That transition has been under way for several years as more organisations seek systems that can operate consistently across mixed infrastructure instead of relying on dedicated appliances in a single environment.

An external partner familiar with both executives said the appointments could help Fortanix strengthen its position in the local market.

"Fortanix is addressing a very real gap in the local market," said Uli Klink, Head of GRC and Business Operations at Salt Group. "After having worked with Sampanna and Mohamed previously, I've experienced firsthand the value they bring to customers. I have no doubt they'll continue this success story with Fortanix, as organisations look for advanced platforms that can support modern use cases."