Dubai Cyber Security Strategy 2023

The Dubai Cyber Security Strategy 2023 provides a structured framework to establish Dubai as a global leader in cybersecurity. The strategy is designed to support the city’s digital transformation while safeguarding its infrastructure and fostering innovation. Below is a detailed explanation of its strategic domains and their objectives.

VISION

The Dubai Cyber Security Strategy 2023’s vision is to establish Dubai as a cybersecurity leader in the digital world. This vision aims to position Dubai as a leading authority on cybersecurity, not just in the region, but globally, as well as protect and support its digital economy. Achieving this vision requires significant investment in research and development, innovation, and collaboration. This will help to raise Dubai’s profile as a destination of choice for cybersecurity expertise and attracting talent and investment from across the globe.

MISSION

The mission of the strategy is to create a safe, secure, reliable, and trusted cyberspace in Dubai to support its digital infrastructure. This mission statement focuses on the development of a robust and secure digital ecosystem that can be trusted by the public and private sectors. This includes implementing cutting-edge security technologies, robust policies and procedures, and effective regulatory frameworks that ensure the protection of critical infrastructure and sensitive data in the city.

SCOPE

The strategy’s main scope is to create a safe, secure, reliable, and trusted cyberspace in Dubai and apply the best techniques in cybersecurity to ensure it is not disrupted in any way. This is achieved by touching on some aspects of cybersecurity in Dubai. One of them is being able to increase cybersecurity awareness and overall cybersecurity skills, in both government entities and the private sector. Another aspect is being able to engage with different stakeholders on improving innovation in the city, by initiating collaborations with government and private sector entities, as well as developing curricula for cybersecurity training in the city. This approach will ensure the advancement of robust cybersecurity tools, solutions, and knowledgeable cybersecurity personnel available in Dubai. This can also be connected to increasing cyber resilience capabilities, by incorporating state of the art cybersecurity solutions into the city’s digital infrastructure to make sure that the digital experience is impacted at a minimum level. Lastly, the city will also establish local and international collaborations with different stakeholders to improve communication from a cybersecurity point of view and help increase the city’s cyber readiness from internal and external threats.

The strategy is divided into four domains. The first domain, ‘Cyber Secure Society,’ emphasises building awareness and skills across both the public and private sectors. This includes providing structured training programs to cultivate cyber skills, creating clear career pathways for professionals, and integrating cybersecurity topics into school and university curricula. It also aims to foster accessible cybersecurity by launching awareness campaigns tailored to different groups within the community, ensuring no demographic is left behind.

The second domain, ‘Incubator for Innovation,’ focuses on promoting research and development in cybersecurity and establishing an ecosystem that supports innovation. This involves fostering collaboration between public institutions, private organisations, and educational entities to develop secure solutions for emerging technologies like IoT, AI, and blockchain. The domain also seeks to establish certification systems to build trust in products, services, and professionals, ensuring the adoption of international standards tailored to Dubai’s needs.

‘Resilient Cyber City,’ the third domain, highlights the importance of robust governance and risk management to maintain continuity in critical infrastructure. It aims to strengthen cyber governance by ensuring senior management understands the importance of security and establishes clear policies and procedures. The strategy also emphasises the development of a resilient cyber ecosystem that incorporates standards for supply chain security, security by design, and cyber insurance. Additionally, it calls for enhanced incident management through a cyber threat intelligence platform and coordinated response plans across sectors.

The final domain, ‘Active Cyber Collaboration,’ underscores the necessity of both local and international partnerships to tackle cyber risks. Locally, the strategy seeks to create cross-sector resilience plans and include more organisations in Dubai’s cyber index. Internationally, it aims to align national policies with global standards, fostering cross-border collaboration through partnerships, agreements, and joint initiatives to enhance Dubai’s image as a cybersecurity leader.