Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
In 2024, the UAE made significant strides in cybersecurity, solidifying its position as a global leader in digital security and innovation.
Since its establishment in November 2020, the UAE Cybersecurity Council has built a robust strategy to strengthen the nation's digital infrastructure.
It was evidenced in 2024, when the Council achieved a major milestone with the UAE ranking in the top global category of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)'s Global Cybersecurity Index.
The country earned a score of 100% across all 80 criteria evaluated by the index, which measures a nation's cybersecurity maturity in areas such as legal, regulatory, cooperation, capacity-building, as well as technical measures.
This milestone demonstrated the UAE's solid cybersecurity foundation and its leadership in fostering a secure digital landscape.
Moreover, under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), the UAE launched the second batch of the Cyber Pulse Initiative for Women and Family in 2024.
This initiative, which aims to empower women and families with cybersecurity skills, reached an ambitious target of 300,000 beneficiaries.
The first batch of the initiative exceeded its initial goal, reaching over 115,000 people, demonstrating the impact of this initiative on enhancing digital literacy and security awareness across the UAE.
The second batch also introduced a new track focused on artificial intelligence in cyberspace, reflecting the importance of AI in shaping the future of digital security.
Furthermore, the Council launched the National Campaign for Cybersecurity to raise awareness of the risks of open cyberspace and promote safe online practices.
The campaign targets government, private institutions, and the public, offering practical tips on avoiding cyber threats like phishing, creating strong passwords, and using secure communication tools.
In line with the UAE's "We The UAE 2031" vision, the initiative also focuses on boosting global collaboration and sharing best practices to create a safer digital world.
In addressing quantum computing threats, the UAE Cybersecurity Council in collaboration with the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), organised the CyberQ: Cyber Security in the Quantum Era conference, which witnessed the participation of more than 1,000 experts from 110 countries. The event discussed the significant impact of quantum computers on information security, highlighting the urgent need for new defensive strategies to counter emerging threats.
In 2024, the UAE Cybersecurity Council made noticeable strides in enhancing the country's cybersecurity policies.
The council introduced three new policies aimed at securing the nation's digital infrastructure: the Cloud Computing and Data Security Policy, the Internet of Things) Security Policy, and the Cybersecurity Operations Centres (CSOCs) Policy.
With a combination of policies, initiatives, global acknowledgement, and a focus on future challenges like quantum computing, the country has made progress in creating a secure and resilient digital infrastructure.
