The UAE government's Cyber Security Council announced a strategic partnership and collaboration with the global company "Dragos" to establish an Operational Technology (OT) Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in the UAE. This initiative was unveiled during the "Make it in the Emirates 2026" platform events, aiming to enhance the nation's cyber resilience and digital sovereignty. The center aims to support the UAE's drive to localize advanced cyber capabilities, accelerate local innovation, and build national and international expertise in cybersecurity. This will further solidify the UAE's position as a regional and global hub for excellence in this vital sector. This announcement reflects the commitment of both the Cyber Security Council and Dragos to strengthen cooperation in achieving the goals of the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the UAE's vision, which is based on shared ownership, reliable capabilities, and sustainable cyber value. Through this partnership, Dragos will provide an advanced Operational Technology environment that allows specialists to conduct realistic offensive and defensive scenarios, helping them develop their skills in securing OT systems and industrial control systems. Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, emphasized that establishing specialized Centers of Excellence for OT cybersecurity comes at a time of unprecedented escalation in cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure. He explained that these centers serve as advanced platforms for anticipating cyber threats by providing mechanisms for continuous monitoring and early detection of abnormal behavioral patterns. This helps mitigate risks before they escalate, in addition to supporting the modeling and and implementation of effective defense strategies in real operational environments. He also noted that investing in specialized talent and technological innovation enhances national readiness and cyber resilience, supporting the development of a sustainable system to face future digital security challenges. For his part, Robert M. Lee, CEO and Co-founder of Dragos, stated that critical and industrial infrastructures in the UAE and the Gulf region face increasing cyber threats. He pointed out that the Center of Excellence will provide a specialized platform for operators to understand how to monitor OT environments, detect threats, and implement effective defense strategies in real-world settings. He added that building local capabilities in this field represents a pivotal step towards fostering talent and innovation, and achieving long-term shared value in cooperation with the Cyber Security Council.
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