The UAE Cybersecurity Council has announced a strategic partnership with global cybersecurity firm Dragos to establish an Operational Technology (OT) Center of Excellence. Unveiled during the "Make it in the Emirates 2026" event, this initiative aims to significantly enhance the nation's cyber resilience and digital sovereignty. The center represents a critical step in safeguarding the country's vital infrastructure against increasingly sophisticated digital threats.
A Strategic Response to Evolving Threats
The establishment of this specialized center comes at a crucial time, as noted by Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government. He highlighted the unprecedented rise in cyberattacks targeting critical national infrastructure, making proactive defense measures more important than ever. This initiative is designed to directly address these escalating threats by creating a dedicated hub for advanced OT security.
The Center of Excellence will serve as an advanced platform for preemptively identifying and neutralizing cyber threats before they can cause significant damage. It will facilitate continuous monitoring and early detection of anomalous behavior within industrial control systems, thereby reducing risks. This approach allows for the modeling and implementation of effective defense strategies in realistic, simulated operational environments.
Fostering Local Expertise and Innovation
A primary objective of the new center is to support the UAE's goal of localizing advanced cybersecurity capabilities and accelerating domestic innovation. The initiative is designed to cultivate a highly skilled workforce of national and international experts specializing in OT security. This focus on talent development will further cement the UAE's position as a regional and global hub for cybersecurity excellence.
Through this partnership, Dragos will provide a state-of-the-art OT environment that allows professionals to engage in practical, hands-on training. Specialists will execute realistic offensive and defensive scenarios, sharpening their skills in securing complex OT and Industrial Control Systems (ICS). This immersive training is essential for preparing defenders to protect the nation's most critical industrial operations.
A Collaborative Vision for Cyber Resilience
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to achieving the goals of the UAE's National Cybersecurity Strategy and its vision for sustainable cyber value. Robert M. Lee, CEO and Co-founder of Dragos, emphasized the growing threats facing industrial infrastructure in the UAE and the wider Gulf region. He stated the center will empower operators to effectively monitor their environments and implement robust defense strategies.
Building local capacity is a cornerstone of this long-term partnership between the Cybersecurity Council and Dragos. The initiative is viewed as a pivotal step toward nurturing local talent, driving technological innovation, and creating shared, lasting value. Ultimately, the collaboration aims to build a sustainable ecosystem capable of meeting future digital security challenges head-on.
The establishment of the OT Cybersecurity Center of Excellence marks a significant milestone in the UAE's journey toward comprehensive digital security. This strategic alliance between the government and a leading industry expert will not only fortify critical infrastructure but also foster a new generation of cybersecurity talent. The initiative reinforces the UAE's commitment to building a secure and resilient digital future for its industries and citizens.