The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), in collaboration with the UAE Cyber Security Council, has executed an extensive cybersecurity drill designed to bolster cyber resilience within the healthcare sector.
This drill simulated best practices and cybersecurity behaviors among professionals in this crucial field, WAM reported. Its objective was to strengthen the sector’s secure digital infrastructure, further solidifying DoH’s leadership in leveraging digital health technologies to provide world-class care.
The exercise included simulated cyberattack scenarios to evaluate the preparedness of healthcare facilities and enhance their capacity to respond effectively to digital incidents. It also assessed the robustness of established communication and incident response protocols under conditions of cyber threat.
This initiative aligns with the Cyber Security Council’s dedication to fostering close collaboration with public sector institutions, mirroring its strategic vision to protect the nation’s digital infrastructure. The Council places a strong emphasis on empowering all critical sectors, including healthcare, education, energy, and public services, with advanced cyber capabilities to effectively counter growing digital threats.
Through technical and advisory support, along with specialized training programs, the Council aims to ensure service continuity and safeguard national data, thus enhancing digital resilience and promoting cybersecurity excellence in accordance with global standards.
Commitment to secure digital infrastructure
Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, commended DoH’s ongoing efforts to improve its digital defense capabilities and its commitment to offering innovative digital services that enhance healthcare quality. He affirmed the Cyber Security Council’s readiness to assist all government entities through tailored training and programs, enabling them to keep pace with rapid technological and cybersecurity developments while ensuring data protection.
Dr. Al Kuwaiti emphasized that these efforts are vital in safeguarding patient data privacy, elevating the digital safety skills of healthcare professionals, and empowering them to respond promptly to information security issues and treatment file-related challenges.
He reiterated the Council’s commitment to establishing a robust, secure digital infrastructure across the UAE, embedding cybersecurity as an essential aspect of both institutional and individual culture—fully aligned with the UAE leadership’s forward-thinking strategy to navigate the challenges posed by rapid digital transformation.
Held at Bab Al Bahr Hotel in Abu Dhabi, the drill convened trainees from various DoH-affiliated entities. It concentrated on assessing the healthcare sector’s readiness to confront increasing cyber threats and included an overview of global best practices and practical recommendations to ensure healthcare institutions are equipped to manage diverse digital risks. The exercise sought to facilitate the uninterrupted delivery of essential healthcare services, even amid cyber incidents.
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Addressing cyber threats in sensitive data
The drill also presented a detailed overview of DoH’s digital healthcare services, underscoring the significance of implementing advanced and precise protocols to securely store and protect patient data and sensitive information, ensuring the highest levels of confidentiality and privacy. Additionally, it featured a realistic simulation of the department’s Medical Command Operations Centre, showcasing measures to secure vital health data and maintain the continuity of medical services.
This drill marks a pivotal step in enhancing cyber resilience in the healthcare sector, which remains a primary target for cyberattacks due to the sensitive nature of the data it handles—data that is often exploited for identity theft and digital fraud. In light of this, DoH and the Cyber Security Council have crafted various risk scenarios aimed at equipping healthcare institutions with the foresight and tools necessary to prepare for ever-evolving cyber threats.
Notably, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi was the first health regulator in the UAE and the region to launch a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy specifically tailored for the healthcare sector.
As a pioneering initiative, the strategy serves as a holistic framework that delineates the core principles of Abu Dhabi’s approach to safeguarding this critical sector.
Its aim is to enhance the resilience of healthcare infrastructure against cyber risks through proactive threat anticipation and the implementation of efficient, structured response mechanisms.
