Today's Edition
By Abdulla Mohamed AlHammadi
The writer is a researcher at TRENDS Research & Advisory
In an era of rapid technological advancements and the expanding reliance on digital space across various fields, the importance of cybersecurity has become increasingly evident. With information and data becoming major targets for cyberattacks, whether by individuals, groups, or states, countries are taking proactive measures to create a secure digital environment for their citizens and institutions.
To protect itself, its nationals, and residents in the digital sphere, the UAE has adopted a strategy to enhance and develop its cybersecurity infrastructure to keep pace with the rapidly evolving technology and cyber threats.
The UAE government has approved the new version of the National Cybersecurity Strategy, based on five main pillars. The first is governance, which is accomplished by establishing an effective governance framework for cybersecurity. The second is protection, by ensuring a secure, resilient, and sound digital environment. The third pillar is innovation, which enables the safe and swift adoption of innovations. The fourth is capacity building, to enhance national capabilities in digitisation and cybersecurity. Finally, partnership, to bolster partnerships and collaborative relations at both national and international levels to achieve the country's cybersecurity goals.
The UAE has one of the most secure and advanced digital infrastructures in the world, placing it in the highest global category of the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index. The continuous development of the national cybersecurity strategy reflects the country's commitment to keeping up with and adapting to major transformations to secure its digital space and position itself as a global leader in cybersecurity and AI.
This approach also supports the sustainability of digital growth in the UAE. The 2019 version of the National Cybersecurity Strategy stipulated the need to review the strategy every three years to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in cybersecurity.
Creating a secure cyber environment that enables individuals and institutions to work and grow has become vital for protecting both public and private assets. However, achieving this requires a comprehensive legal and regulatory cybersecurity framework, policies to safeguard current and emerging technologies, capacity-building for professionals, increased public awareness of cyber risks, and mechanisms for detecting and reporting cybersecurity incidents.
These requirements are successfully met by the UAE's strategy, enabling the country to make significant strides in cybersecurity. As a result, the UAE ranks in the top category in relevant global indexes and has been commended by international organisations, including the International Telecommunication Union, for its progress in this field.
The UAE has developed a federal network with a shared infrastructure that allows interconnectivity and data exchange between local and federal entities. This network offers a multi-layered security environment that ensures the highest levels of encryption security across multiple protocols, thereby reducing exposure to cyber intruders by minimising vulnerabilities. Nonetheless, cybersecurity is not the responsibility of governments alone but a shared responsibility of all, individuals and institutions alike.
To protect data, information, and society against potential cyberattacks, the UAE actively spreads cybersecurity awareness. Through initiatives such as Cyber Pulse, the country enhances public awareness of suspicious online activities by conducting training courses and workshops.
Additionally, through the UAE Cybersecurity Ambassadors initiative, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority trains a select group of students in the country to raise cybersecurity awareness across the UAE. At the same time, the National Cybersecurity Operations Center focuses on threat monitoring and early warning to counter breach attempts.
At the international level, the UAE Cybersecurity Council cooperates with main partners from both the public and private sectors in friendly countries in a way that strengthens global efforts. Given the cross-border nature of cyber threats, such cooperation facilitates data exchange and consequently promotes improved cybersecurity protection both domestically and internationally.
Amid continuous cyberattacks and the increasing reliance on technology for economic growth, development, and daily life, is a cornerstone for building a sustainable future in the cyber space. Recognising the need to safeguard individuals and institutions from such threats, the UAE has made cybersecurity an integral part of its digital infrastructure.
The nation has adopted integrated strategies to address these challenges and implemented executive policies that expand cybersecurity awareness across government entities, society, and the private sector. These efforts enhance the UAE's ability to counter cyber threats, protect its digital infrastructure, and create a secure, sustainable digital ecosystem that protects the homeland and its citizens while entrenching the country's position as a global hub for business, trade, and technology.
