In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, issued Decree No. (62) of 2024 on the Board of Directors of the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC), chaired by Awad Hader Al Muhairi. As per the Decree, Tamim Mohammed Al Muhairi will serve as Vice Chairman. Other members of the Board include: Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Tariq Mohammed Al Muhairi, Saeed Al Muhairi, Ayesha AlWari, along with the CEO of the Centre. This Decree is effective from the date of its issuance and will be published in the Official Gazette.
Establishment and vision of DESC
Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) was founded in 2014, pursuant to Law No. 11 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Center was established in line with the visionary objectives to ensure that Dubai becomes a leader in cyber security and the protection of information from external cyber threats. The Center reinforces the technological progress and smart transformation that has been adopted and engrained in the foundations of the emirate, by establishing Dubai as a global leader in innovation, safety, and security.
Core values and strategic goals
DESC implements the values of reliability, innovation, and cooperation to achieve the goals set out by the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy. The strategy involves the implementation of five domains including; maintaining a secure digital environment, preserving the flexibility and the free flow of information within cyberspace, ensuring the continuity of IT systems, and promoting research and innovation in the field of cyber security. Other objectives include increasing awareness within the community and urging individuals to be more observant of digital threats.
Commitment to digital protection
As technological advancements continue, the Center seeks to protect Dubai digitally, by securing and protecting the emirates’ information, telecommunication networks, and information systems. By developing, modifying, and using the necessary tools within cyber security, the Center aims to support all Dubai government entities to ensure they are in compliance with information security. The Center supports the increasing requirements for a cyber-secure digital landscape during the economic and social growth within the emirate and is dedicated to Dubai to training excellence within cyberspace.
Recognition from World Economic Forum
In August 2024, the strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) has highlighted the role of the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) in launching significant initiatives including the Dubai Cyber Innovation Park, which aims to contribute to empowering the next generation of cybersecurity experts. The report also praised the DESC’s Cyber Security Competency Framework (Qudraat), which, among other things, maps all cybersecurity employees in the city to the framework, linking employee assessment and evaluation with training and development.
Collaborative efforts and global partnerships
The appreciation for DESC’s contributions comes as it continues to forge strong collaborations with key global partners including the WEF, actively supporting its Cybersecurity Talent Framework, which was launched earlier this year to address the critical global shortage of cybersecurity professionals estimated at 4 million. The WEF also expressed its gratitude to the DESC team for their contributions to its Cybersecurity Skills Gap Initiative. Moreover, the team, comprising Dr. Bushra AlBlooshi, Ayesha Mohammad AlMarzooqi, Maitha Khalid Al Muhairi, Shaikha Essa Al Mheiri, Zeina Naser, and Moaza Majed Al Flasi, was praised for their significant efforts, vision, and expertise in preparing and launching the framework. Their contributions, resulting from extensive meetings with various partners, further demonstrated high levels of competence and commitment to the project.
Addressing cybersecurity talent gap
Additionally, the Strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework serves as a reference for public and private decision-makers committed to addressing the global shortage in the field and nurturing cybersecurity talent across sectors. Also, the DESC’s efforts are part of its existing partnership with the WEF and 50 global public and private organizations seeking to build sustainable cybersecurity talent pipelines.
Innovative approaches to recruitment
Furthermore, the Cybersecurity Talent Framework is focused on ways to attract cybersecurity talent by improving the understanding of what cybersecurity professionals do, removing barriers to entry, and enhancing diversity in the workforce. It also calls for rethinking hiring practices by addressing challenges such as unrealistic and demanding requirements in job descriptions and misalignment between hiring managers and human resources (HR) departments.
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