Sheikh Hamdan launches Dubai Cyber Index to enhance cybersecurity among government entities

Dubai has launched a new initiative to enhance the cybersecurity measures in place to safeguard government entities in the emirate.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, launched the Dubai Cyber Index on Wednesday, the first of its kind in the world, that will drive the emirate’s digital transformation.

“The Index’s launch aligns with the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy to protect our city from cyber threats and support its innovation and economic growth amid technological advances. We persist to enhance Dubai’s position as a global leader in cybersecurity,” tweeted Sheikh Hamdan.

We have launched the Dubai Cyber Index, the first of its kind in the world. The Index will reinforce the cybersecurity performance of various government entities across Dubai in the global race to cyber resilience. pic.twitter.com/AhCv39Ss1k

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) July 8, 2020

The Index was developed by the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) as part of its mandate to implement a government information security policy.

The DESC monitors government entities to ensure they are adhering to its information security protocols facilitating effective and secure communication networks and information systems.

One of the key objectives of the new Index is to enhance the readiness of government entities in dealing with cyber crises and emergency scenarios.

DESC will assist in setting up specialised security operations centres and utilise advanced Artificial Intelligence technologies and Big Data analysis to anticipate potential cyber threats, said a statement

The Dubai Cyber Index also seeks to promote healthy competition among government entities in the field of cybersecurity and encourage the development of capabilities in this area.

“Dubai continues to reinforce its leadership in the digital and cyber sector by consolidating the efforts of all government and private institutions and individuals to provide a secure cyber space,” said Major General Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, chairman of the DESC.

“The Dubai Cyber Index will further raise the security and safety standards of Dubai’s electronic infrastructure. This is particularly important as the world we live in is characterised by a constantly evolving communication technology landscape and is increasingly dependent on advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things and Big Data. It is critical to create a robust supportive framework to ensure the security and safety of information systems,” added Al Falasi.

The new Index is part of the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy that was launched in 2017 which aims to provide integrated protection against cyber risks and support innovation in cyberspace.

Read: Dubai’s ruler launches new cyber security strategy

There has been a renewed focus on cybersecurity in the GCC, and specifically in the UAE, with recent remote working initiatives rolled out extensively across the public and private sectors.

Over 80 per cent of organisations in the UAE reported at least one cyber-attack in 2019, reported a recent survey by cybersecurity company Proofpoint. It also found that over half of the organisations reported multiple incidents, with credential theft and phishing being the leading types of cybercrimes.

Read: Over 80% of UAE firms faced a cyber-attack in 2019: Are you protected?