The UAE announced today the launch of the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in collaboration with Google, establishing a strategic partnership to create an advanced cybersecurity hub in Abu Dhabi. The center aims to strengthen the nation’s resilience against cyber threats, support secure digital transformation, and further establish the UAE as a global hub for innovation and technology.
This initiative underscores the UAE’s commitment to advancing digital transformation and bolstering cybersecurity, in line with the vision of the nation’s leadership to position the UAE as a global hub for cybersecurity excellence.
“This strategic collaboration with Google Cloud is a cornerstone of the UAE’s vision to become a global cybersecurity leader. Our collaboration will not only help address the immediate cyber threats that our nation faces but, crucially, will cultivate the next generation of cybersecurity experts and foster the development of cutting-edge solutions needed to secure our digital future,” stated Dr. Mohamed Alkuwaiti, head of cybersecurity for the UAE Government.
Center to prevent $6.8 billion in cybercrime losses by 2030
The Cybersecurity Center of Excellence is poised to generate significant economic benefits for the UAE. By creating a secure digital ecosystem, the UAE can mitigate billions of dollars in potential cybercrime losses, foster a thriving cybersecurity sector and attract substantial foreign direct investment.
According to research conducted by Access Partnership, enhanced cybersecurity capabilities are projected to prevent at least $6.8 billion in cybercrime losses by 2030, support over 20,300 specialized cybersecurity jobs, and attract up to $1.4 billion in cumulative foreign direct investment by 2030. Furthermore, a robust cybersecurity environment will encourage broader digitalization, leading to significant productivity gains across the economy.
“Our shared goal represents a powerful combination of digital infrastructure, a hub for innovation, and a training ground for the next generation of cyber defenders. This will equip organizations and individuals with the skills and AI-driven solutions needed to thrive in the face of evolving threats,” said Cristina Pitarch, managing director, EMEA, Google Cloud Security.
Google Cloud to enhance cybersecurity skills in UAE
The Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Abu Dhabi seeks to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities across the UAE and beyond. Designed as a world-class hub for building a safer internet, the shared vision of this center includes partnering with global academia, research institutes and policy makers to share knowledge, amplify impact, and promote intelligence sharing across sectors. It also aims to equip people and organizations with the skills needed to combat evolving threats and build and maintain a highly skilled team of intelligence analysts and security experts in the UAE.
A skilled cybersecurity workforce is essential for defending against increasingly complex threats. To address this need, a training program will be delivered from the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence by Mandiant, part of Google Cloud. This program leverages Mandiant’s global security professionals, who possess over 20 years of industry-leading investigative experience.
The program will offer a unique opportunity within the UAE to learn directly from experts actively handling the world’s most sophisticated cyberattacks. This program will deliver virtual, hands-on, immersive courses that equip individuals and teams with the expertise to protect critical systems, harness AI-driven security tools, and respond effectively to cyber incidents.
With role-based learning and methodologies grounded in real-world breaches, the training program will shape the next generation of cyber defenders across the UAE.
Accelerator program to support 25 high-potential startups
Google Cloud also announced a dedicated accelerator program in 2025, selecting 25 high-potential startups from Hub71’s ecosystem for a three-month program focused on scalable growth strategies and optimizing business models.
Additionally, all startups within the Hub71 community are eligible for substantial Google Cloud credits, with top-performing startups accessing up to $300,000 in credits – the highest tier available globally.
This initiative meets the aspirations of startups in entrepreneurship, enabling them to benefit from Google Cloud’s services for emerging companies.
Read: Dubai, Abu Dhabi achieve top rankings in 2025 smart city index
UAE advances digital ecosystem
The launch of the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence highlights the UAE government’s dedication to supporting a secure and advanced digital ecosystem that keeps pace with global developments and provides a trusted environment for businesses, enterprises and institutions across all sectors.
It also reflects the country’s broader strategy to invest in emerging technologies and empower national talents, ensuring regional and global leadership in the field of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
Notably, this launch follows the official visit of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and UAE National Security Advisor, to the United States, where he met with several global industry leaders and CEOs to explore avenues for building and expanding strategic partnerships with the UAE in artificial intelligence. These discussions focused on AI’s potential to accelerate sustainable growth, enhance global innovation and advance digital infrastructure.
