Dubai Advances Cybersecurity as City Transforms into Digital Hub, Says Senior Official

Dubai is rapidly developing into a super-connected digital city, making cybersecurity a crucial part of daily life, according to Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of Digital Dubai. Speaking at the Envision conference on Thursday, Al Mansoori emphasized the importance of integrating cybersecurity into the culture as the city continues to embrace technology and innovation.

“Dubai has become a global benchmark for innovation, technology, and economic growth,” Al Mansoori said during his keynote address. He added that the city’s success in digital transformation over the past two decades can be attributed to securing its cyberspace through the efforts of the Dubai Electronic Security Center and the UAE Cybersecurity Council.

Al Mansoori acknowledged that while people were once hesitant to share personal data online, it is now nearly impossible to access digital services without providing personal information. He stressed the need for cybersecurity tools to be user-friendly and widely accessible, citing the UAE Pass, a government solution using facial recognition for secure transactions, as a model.

“We need to make cybersecurity part of people’s daily culture across the entire community. Raising awareness about scams, cyberattacks, phishing, and more is essential,” he noted.

UAE’s Investment in Digital Infrastructure
The UAE continues to lead the region in adopting new technologies, investing billions to modernize its digital infrastructure. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), spending on information and communications technology (ICT) in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa is projected to reach $238 billion in 2024, an increase of 4.5% from the previous year.

At the Envision conference, various industry leaders, including Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du; Jasim Al Awadi, Chief ICT Officer of du; and Naim Yazbeck, General Manager at Microsoft UAE, discussed the future of digital cities and the role of local cloud solutions.

Al Mansoori advocated for the adoption of local cloud services to meet the high privacy and security standards required by government entities. “A locally based cloud solution provider could be a great option to ensure privacy and security,” he said.

Du’s Role in the 6G Rollout
Jasim Al Awadi, Chief ICT Officer at du, announced that the telecom provider will be among the first in the UAE to roll out 6G technology, following its leadership in 5G deployment. The 6G network, expected by 2030, will enable advanced applications like AI, remote surgeries, and transmitting human senses digitally.