CyberFirst UAE Summit 2026 addresses National Cyber Resilience and Digital Trust

Government

CyberFirst UAE Summit 2026 addresses National Cyber Resilience and Digital Trust

The UAE Cyber Security Council hosted the CyberFirst UAE Summit 2026 in Abu Dhabi, bringing together CISOs, senior cybersecurity executives, government officials, and technology leaders to strengthen national cyber resilience and advance digital trust amid a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

The high-level summit served as a strategic platform for dialogue and collaboration, highlighting cybersecurity as a core pillar supporting the UAE’s digital economy agenda, valued at over AED 100 billion. Officials stressed that as digital transformation accelerates across sectors, cybersecurity plays a central role in protecting critical infrastructure, sensitive data, and public confidence in connected systems.

The event aligned with the UAE National Cybersecurity Strategy, which has helped position the country among the world’s most cyber-ready nations. In 2024, the UAE achieved a 100% score in the Global Cybersecurity Index and was recognised as a global Pioneering Model for cyber readiness, reflecting sustained national investment in governance, innovation, and digital trust frameworks.

Despite these achievements, speakers noted that the regional threat environment continues to intensify, with cyber incidents across the GCC rising by nearly 40% year on year, reinforcing the need for coordinated defence and proactive resilience planning.

H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, said cybersecurity has evolved beyond a technical discipline into a national priority tied directly to economic and social stability.

He said a unified approach combining policy, innovation, and leadership is required to counter increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. The summit, he added, enabled decision-makers and industry leaders to align strategies, exchange intelligence, and promote secure-by-design frameworks across sectors.

The one-day forum brought together stakeholders from government, finance, energy and utilities, healthcare, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure sectors. Key sessions focused on AI and cloud security, Zero Trust architectures, cyber governance, regulatory readiness, threat intelligence, and supply chain security.

A major highlight was the Awards and Recognition Ceremony, which honoured excellence across the cybersecurity ecosystem. Categories included Cloud & AI Security Excellence, Cybersecurity Leader of the Year – UAE & MENA, Cybersecurity Innovator of the Year, Cybersecurity Woman of the Year – UAE, Best Zero Trust Implementation, Cybersecurity Strategy and Vision, Threat Intelligence Leadership, and Cybersecurity Distribution Excellence.

Organisers said the summit reinforces the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for digital trust and cybersecurity excellence, supporting a secure and resilient digital future for the country and the wider region. The event was supported by industry partners including Google Cloud Security, Anomali, OPSWAT, Pentera, AmiViz, hwg, Tenable, Securonix, Paramount Assuring Value, and Kron Technologies.