Interview: Khalifa Ibrahim Al Saleis, Executive Director, Security Industry Regulatory Agency, UAE
SIRA regulates the private security sector in Dubai powered by the idea that security is a blessing every individual is entitled to enjoy. Striving to learn from others’ mistakes, this body is preparing the solid ground for Dubai to preserve its reputation as one of the most secure cities in the world.
By: Orhan Hadžagić; Email: editorial@asmideast.com
a&s Middle East: Y.E. thank you for this interview which will remain recorded as the first one for the a&s Middle East edition. Could you please, in the beginning, tell us what the mission of SIRA and its structure is?
Al Saleis: SIRA’s organizational structure comprises the Board of directors, the Executive Director – me, the Deputy Executive, the Investment Office, and the Legal Affairs office under the executive management office. The main departments facilitating SIRA services for companies and individual customers in Dubai are Licensing & Permits, Security Engineering, Metrology & Controlling, and Security Training Affairs. Additionally, we have three supporting departments: Strategy and Future Department, Corporate Communication Department, and the Resources and Support Department.
Our vision is to provide the security leadership for sustainable protection, prepare for the future and develop strategic and institutional plans, along with programs and industrial and investment projects, besides following their execution within a modern frame by the government and managing the institutional performance and professional auditing to reduce the external and internal as well as current and future risks and challenges.
a&s Middle East: How would you assess the awareness of the local society of the importance of encountering security threats and the need to be informed and knowledgeable about recognizing and fighting them?
Al Saleis: According to several studies, Dubai has gained a top world rank in safety and security. This didn’t happen in a vacuum. Security awareness and education among the society are part of this culture, so all groups of society are aware of how critical security is in Dubai’s success in being a great city for living and an exciting destination for travel, and they are responsibly contributing to this by all means. But what is unique about Dubai as a cosmopolitan city that accommodates residents of more than 200 different nationalities is that we still strive to achieve a relatively high level of public awareness among our people, residents, and visitors, despite the diverse cultures and mindsets, which is more challenging!
Our society is well informed and aware of the security threats and instability impacts. Moreover, this is getting even better every day as we notice that incidents get reported by the public promptly, which indicates how conscious everyone is and how alert they are to any potential threats.
a&s Middle East: What steps have you taken so far to comply with international legislation, and in what areas do you think Dubai is ahead of other global countries?
Al Saleis: We constantly explore best practices through continuous collaboration with leading governmental and private parties, including legislators and regulators worldwide. However, I believe that we’ve gone a long way toward leading the security sector in the region, especially since Dubai is considered a fast-paced city and a welcoming business hub for global companies and investors, for which security and regulating laws are key to achieving this. SIRA’s establishment was one of the proactive steps to regulate the private security sector and promote more stability for businesses and residents. Also, our government considers the compatibility of legalizations and amendments for all stakeholders in different sectors. It sets extremely ambitious goals for government excellence and customer happiness, a unique approach in a sector like security. We are setting high-security standards in the sector. Our pioneering experience is commendable and inspiring for many other countries in Africa and Asia, which follow our lead in recognizing security threats and crimes and fighting them.
a&s Middle East: Are you satisfied with the agility of the Dubai Emirate Government legislators in keeping up with global technological achievements and rising threats?
Al Saleis: Certainly, as a security professional for over 30 years, I have witnessed how agile our leadership is in adopting the latest practices, technologies, and smart solutions to the security industry. And despite several rising local and regional threats, Dubai maintained the highest security levels. This is an evidence-based achievement that we have proven to the world. I always see the Dubai government as a super powerful engine with a massive energy outcome, and it can only help moving forward if all parts are in harmony with the future requirements. We can confidently say that agile swift governance is one of the secrets behind the Dubai government’s exemplary accomplishment and success.
a&s Middle East: What local cultural specifics should Dubai society consider rethinking for more efficiency in facing current challenges?
Al Saleis: Security culture nowadays is different due to how people are more exposed to global happenings, especially with social media and the instant exchange of news and incidents around the world. We see this positively, we support resourceful knowledge, and we always encourage society to be more open to the world because we know that security challenges are increasing rapidly, and everyone needs to be well prepared with the right tools and information that suit their role in society.
a&s Middle East: Do you think currently operating security companies in Dubai are sufficiently equipped and using well-trained staff?
Al Saleis: Yes, without a doubt. Dubai is a dynamic city with busy public and business events and action agendas throughout the year. It requires highly trained and equipped companies to collaborate with government efforts efficiently and according to their training outcomes. We have assessed this on the ground in many major incidents and happenings, including COVID-19 lockdown time, EXPO 2020, and the annual iconic celebrations of New Year’s Eve in Dubai, to name a few. As much as this sounds challenging, it is a great testament to how sufficiently equipped and efficient the security companies and cadre in Dubai are.
Having said that, SIRA has many certified security training centers across Dubai. They are in direct contact with the agency through regular meetings and events for support, feedback, and discussions on ongoing challenges. Both the Security Training Affairs Department and Metrology and Controlling Department of SIRA ensure they are equipped with the most recent curriculums and exam standards and supporting legalizations and that their performance is constantly monitored for guidance and rectification.
a&s Middle East: What areas should companies and bodies training security staff pay more attention to in the future?
Al Saleis: Apart from being up to date with the ongoing trends and latest releases in the global security sector, they should support the digital adoption approach of Dubai. They should be ready for the future of security training using technology-based tools such as advanced virtual training and AI in the security sector. We will always lead and support on that front as a regulatory agency.
a&s Middle East: There is a global ultimatum to fill the gap in security staff demand. How is Dubai addressing this challenge?
Al Saleis: By establishing compatible legislation for security service providers and users and defining parties’ responsibilities, Dubai creates an appealing environment for investment and business while protecting both parties’ rights. Along with setting the qualification and training course requirements for each security position, aiming at a controlled quality of security staff supply in the market, SIRA has also paved the way for promising careers and hassle-free recruitment and hiring processes for companies in the private security sector. The digital adoption and automation of all applications, the use of the latest smart devices, and solutions to support security personnel and guards in managing their job responsibilities efficiently and diligently are all measures that we at SIRA implement and enforce in the private security sector. We have also set high specifications and regulations that security companies must comply with to ensure that a qualified security cadre is empowered and supported on-site to perform at its best.
a&s Middle East: What structural changes have SIRA undertaken to bring its policies to a higher level in the following period?
Al Saleis: We have reviewed our organizational structure and its context to meet the needs of the private security sector, as well as the alignment with the Dubai government’s strategy and the highest efficiency business models. With the help of this strategic exercise, we have restructured the main and support departments within SIRA to reflect our services and provide specialized support and services to different businesses within the security sector. This has included new sections within the Licensing and Permits Department, as categorizing services based on customer type as Security Services Providers (SSP) and Security Services Users (SSU) or accommodating specific types of requests where we had a new section for Hazardous & Dangerous Good and another one for Permits and Shipments. The Security Training Affairs Department was restructured to focus on two main support areas for the security training centers, the Curriculum, and Examinations Accreditation Department and the Department of Performance Measurement and Development.
We have also considered restructuring our services and upgrading them according to international standards, followed by rigorous quality control and assurance measures. This upgrade of the organizational structure is aimed at the development of policies and more directed initiatives and projects that are relevant to each segment or business, as well as the creation of a departmental workforce to align SIRA services and products with the government directives in terms of digitization, process automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and reliance on smart systems. This will eventually support the overarching goal of providing sustainable security services up to Dubai’s standards and positioning.
a&s Middle East: According to some research, over three billion dollars were lost to cyber-attacks on blockchain technology globally during the first ten months of this year. Is the Dubai Emirate considering cybercrime protection deep enough?
Al Saleis: Yes, to a great extent. Dubai has learned from global challenges and implemented strict digital control measures against cyberattacks and digital threats and was among the first countries in the region to issue e-crime laws. In 2014, the Dubai government proactively established Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC), as the state’s specialized agency for cyber security. That is now under Digital Dubai Authority, fostering Dubai’s leadership in innovation, cyber security, and information protection from external threats.
a&s Middle East: Do you think regulatory bodies can be one step ahead of “bad guys” in the ongoing battles in domestic and global cyberspace?
Al Saleis: By exchanging experiences and best practices more frequently and holding security-specialized conferences and forums, leaders and professionals regularly gather for deep dive sessions and analysis of challenges and threats. This will eventually lead to the best cyber-security firms in the world developing innovative smart solutions. It is also important to raise awareness among businesses and the general public about cyber threats and attacks and provide specialized technical channels for reporting cybercrime.
a&s Middle East: How would you assess the current collaboration level with other Gulf states on the security industry challenges?
Al Saleis: High level of collaboration as we exchange experiences and share best practices constantly on all levels. We have deeply rooted commonalities and consider the Gulf as one country or city. We share the same culture with the same interests and threats.
a&s Middle East: Finally, what will be the main focus of SIRA in 2023?
Al Saleis: SIRA’s priority is to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) technology in all private security sector businesses and its regulating laws and legislation.
