UAE’s technology enabler, Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (ADDA) along with the country’s telecom company, Etisalat, and American-Japanese multinational cyber security software firm, Trend Micro Incorporated have launched ‘Cyber Eye’, an initiative designed to strengthen the Abu Dhabi Government entities’ cybersecurity capabilities.
The Cyber Eye initiative is a key part of the Abu Dhabi government’s cybersecurity strategy. It will use cutting-edge technology and systems to identify cyber threats in real-time and take effective and proactive actions to mitigate risks and increase protection, further strengthening the security of the emirate’s government entities’ digital assets.
Commenting on the initiative, HE Dr. Mohamed Abdelhameed Al Askar, Director General of ADDA stated that, “ADDA is keen to strengthen collaboration ties between the public and private sectors and to work with strategic partners such as Etisalat and Trend Micro as these collaborations are vital in providing basic technological knowledge, and the expertise necessary to enhance cybersecurity capabilities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”
Moataz BinAli VP & MD Trend Micro – MENA
“A proactive, integrated system such as the one we will build through the Cyber Eye initiative will enable government decision-makers to step up their defense of digital services and Trend Micro remains dedicated to the support of ADDA on its digital transformation journey. Our leading-edge cybersecurity innovations and strategies are carefully designed to protect enterprises of all industries and scales from the harmful elements in the digital wilds, so they can keep on innovating and building a strong digital economy.”
The Cyber Eye initiative also addresses the issue of infrastructure visibility and will promote standards and methods to boost controls and capabilities for the purposes of optimizing resilience across government entities. Such methods will also enable technology teams to detect threats more quickly, including the most advanced attacks.
A recent KPMG survey of UAE business stakeholders showed concern about the rise of cybercrime during the pandemic. Some 61 percent of respondents were concerned about phishing scams, 54 percent were worried about email spamming, and 42 percent dreaded a ransomware incident.
Regional government authorities have often been prime targets of cybercriminals, prompting this collaboration between ADDA, Etisalat and Trend Micro on Cyber Eye. The initiative will take advantage of intelligence-driven methodologies to enhance the maturity and effectiveness of the government in cybersecurity.
Mr. Abdulla Ebrahim Al Ahmed, Senior Vice President, Government Sales, Etisalat, remarked that, “Through the work on the “Cyber Eye” initiative, we will enhance our contribution to achieving the government vision in securing the highest level of digital security. This is one element in the nation’s digital transformation strategy.”
