(ISC)² UAE Chapter, a non-profit organization involved in cybersecurity training and certification, has signed an MoU with Huawei to promote cybersecurity awareness, professional training and certification.
As part of this initiative, knowledge transfer and education are being provided in order to develop a robust talent pool for cybersecurity capacity building in the United Arab Emirates. It will also help create and maintain a strong and vibrant cybersecurity local ecosystem to position the UAE as a regional and global trusted digital hub.
A further objective of the initiative is to harness the power of collaboration between the tech industry and other key sectors in the UAE to improve cybersecurity and privacy protection.
According to Anumod Xavier, (ISC)² UAE Chapter spokesperson,
“UAE’s cyber safety and digital security strategy aim to protect citizens and residents’ cyberspace as well as reinforce digital trust. As the leading global organization involved in cybersecurity training and certifications, we support this mission by empowering UAE cybersecurity professionals with the skills and competencies to safeguard the country’s digital economy. Our partnership with Huawei significantly expands our capabilities, leveraging the company’s decades-long experience and expertise in protecting some of the world’s most critical assets.”
Aloysius Cheang, Chief Security Officer at Huawei UAE said:
“The agreement between (ISC)² UAE Chapter and Huawei marks a major milestone in the development of a strong and vibrant local cybersecurity ecosystem. Cyber threats are constantly changing, and this agreement will go a long way in nurturing a cybersecurity ecosystem with talented and professional cybersecurity participants. Additionally, the partnership demonstrates both parties’ long-term commitment to sustainable development in the UAE as a leading global digital hub.”
The joint efforts of an international cybersecurity professional association and a global digital leader constitute a significant step in establishing a more secure, trustworthy, and prosperous cyber oasis in UAE. Both parties will promote cybersecurity awareness, professional training and certification for cybersecurity participants in UAE while facilitating UAE’s cybersecurity knowledge transfer and education. Those efforts will ultimately nurture a strong cybersecurity talent pool to enhance the UAE cybersecurity capacity building.
A global shortage of cybersecurity experts continues to exert pressure on the industry and puts organizations at risk of cyber threats. Data shows that 57% of organizations have unfilled cybersecurity positions, and the global cybersecurity workforce was short some 3.5 million workers in 2021. Such partnership efforts will help reduce the talent gap in the UAE.
Maintaining cybersecurity over the long term has been an indispensable 11th pillar in the UAE “Principles for the 50”. It is thus even more imperative to enrich the whole cybersecurity ecosystem to ensure that all stakeholders can well support the nation’s cybersecurity development. This MoU signing is an excellent first step in establishing collaboration between key industry actors and professional associations in UAE. In the near future, such collaboration could also encourage more organizations to join in to further build the ecosystem.
