UAE Unveils Ambitious 50-Year Cybersecurity Vision

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is actively formulating a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy to counter digital threats and criminal activities over the next half-century.

Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, the head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, shared insights into this initiative, emphasizing its significance in enhancing the nation’s digital resilience and ability to tackle emerging cyber challenges. The endeavor is aligned with the UAE’s aspirations as it approaches its centennial year in 2071, aiming to leverage technology for the betterment of society.

This initiative comes in response to the escalating global threats and attacks on computer systems and the internet, prompting the UAE government to establish the Cybersecurity Council in November 2020. The council’s mandate involves proposing legislation to bolster cybersecurity, subject to Cabinet approval.

Recent cybersecurity reports have indicated a 77% surge in phishing email threats in the UAE during the second quarter of the current year. The complexity and sophistication of these cyber tactics are increasing, necessitating a proactive approach to safeguard digital assets and critical infrastructure.

Looking ahead, advancements in immersive virtual reality are expected to blur the boundaries between the physical and digital realms. This shift could usher in a new era where businesses thrive in virtual spaces, and data assumes an unprecedented role akin to currency. The upcoming “Cyber Next 50” report, to be released jointly by the Cybersecurity Council and KPMG, envisions a future where robots seamlessly integrate into daily life, artificial intelligence predicts and shapes the future, and technologies may even have the capacity to interpret human thoughts and manipulate DNA.