UAE Announces Plans For Three New Cybersecurity Policies By End Of 2024

Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti, Chairman of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, has confirmed that the council is working on three new policies to be issued by the end of 2024. These policies aim to bolster the UAE's cybersecurity framework and enhance its status as a global hub for advanced technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Dr. Al-Kuwaiti detailed that the new policies will cover "cloud computing and data security", "Internet of Things security", and "cybersecurity operations centres". He also mentioned that executive regulations for the "encryption" law, which sets standards for securing data transmission in line with quantum systems, are expected by late 2024.

The UAE Cybersecurity Council Chairman noted that digital transformation in the UAE spans various sectors such as health, energy, education, and aviation. This widespread digital shift necessitates an advanced cybersecurity system to safeguard cyberspace from potential threats, especially with evolving AI solutions identifying digital vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.

Dr. Al-Kuwaiti emphasised that the UAE has the capabilities and resources to become a global data hub. This ambition drives the enactment of laws and policies to regulate this strategic sector and foster regional and international partnerships with both public and private sectors.

He highlighted that malicious cyberattacks target strategic sectors in the UAE, particularly financial ones, aiming to compromise national security or extract financial information for blackmail. The UAE's cybersecurity system continues to repel these attacks, identify hackers, and handle them according to top international standards.

Protecting Critical Infrastructure

The Chairman explained that protecting institutions from threats is crucial due to risks like data leaks, identity theft, intellectual property infringement, and breaches of main infrastructure and security digital records. The evolving AI solutions used by various entities conduct general surveys to identify these vulnerabilities.

Dr. Al-Kuwaiti stated that the UAE serves as an inspiring model for many countries worldwide looking to develop their cybersecurity systems, particularly in the data sector amid rapid advancements in technology and AI.

The new policies being developed by the council aim to support this vision by ensuring robust cybersecurity measures are in place across all strategic sectors.

With inputs from WAM