Abu dhabi: The UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC) has partnered with Dragos Inc., a global leader in cyber security for operational technology (OT), to establish an OT Cyber Security Centre of Excellence in the UAE under the Make it in the Emirates initiative. This collaboration is aimed at advancing national cyber resilience and digital sovereignty, focusing on localising advanced cyber security capabilities, accelerating innovation, and developing a highly skilled cyber workforce.
According to Emirates News Agency, the initiative seeks to position the UAE as a regional and global hub for cyber security excellence, aligning with national strategies to enhance critical infrastructure protection and technological leadership. Through this partnership, Dragos will create a specialised OT environment where professionals can engage in realistic cyberattack and defence scenarios, thereby boosting expertise in OT and industrial control systems security.
Robert M. Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Dragos, highlighted the growing threats faced by industrial and critical infrastructure in the UAE and the wider Gulf region. He stated that the Centre of Excellence will help operators understand the monitoring of OT environments, detection of threats, and practical implementation of effective defence strategies. Lee expressed pride in investing in local talent development, supporting innovation, and creating long-term value in collaboration with the Cyber Security Council.
Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, noted the importance of collaboration with international partners in establishing Cyber Security Centres of Excellence, especially amid rising cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. He mentioned that these centres serve as advanced platforms for proactive threat anticipation, continuous monitoring, and early detection of cyber incidents, while facilitating the development of effective defence strategies in real-world operational environments.
The initiative underscores the importance of investing in specialised talent and technological innovation to enhance national readiness and cyber resilience against emerging and future threats. It reflects a public-private collaboration model aimed at building sustainable cyber capabilities, reinforcing the UAE's leadership in cyber security, and protecting critical national infrastructure.