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DFSA supports National Cybersecurity Strategy by Launching a Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) launched the first monetary regulator-led Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform (Platform) in the region in collaboration with the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC), the National Computer Emergency Response Team for the UAE (aeCERT), the Computer Incident Response Center Luxembourg (CIRCL) and the Open Source Threat Intelligence and Sharing Platform Project (MISP).

The DFSA will host the Platform on its infrastructure and will outsource the management and enrichment of the platform to Help AG, a leading company of strategic consultancy and tailored data security solutions and services to companies and governments throughout the region. The platform will facilitate the improvement of a community of data sharing for regulated and non-regulated companies operating in or from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).The platform also connects with other respected global cyber security firms, including:, Palo Alto Networks, Cofense, Kaspersky and Recorded Future.

Bryan Stirewalt, Chief Executive Officer of the DFSA, said: Over the previous two years, we have been gradually developing our supervisory target on operational resilience, including cyber risk. We are proud to launch the Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform, which brings together a community of cyber professionals in a co-ordinated battle in opposition to cyberattacks, and will be a valuable mechanism for all members of the DIFC ecosystem to share data on threats and risks. These intensified efforts help the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy and are designed to reinforce the cybersecurity surroundings in the DIFC.

Waleed Al Awadhi, Chief Operating Officer of the DFSA, said:We are proud to launch the Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform, the first financial regulator-led platform in the region, which confirms our dedication to support the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in line with the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy in order to position Dubai as a leader throughout all fronts. Through this initiative, we aim to set up an information-sharing community from the DIFC in order to mitigate cyber threats and limiting its impact. The significance of the Platform stems from the fact that it is the first cooperation between the public and private sector, and we are sure that it will reap positive outcomes that will gain the economy and the improvement of the monetary sector. On a larger scale, this partnership will assist to boost up Dubais position on the international financial map and its leadership in institutional excellence.

Abdulla Saleh Buali, Incident Response Team Leader of aeCERT, said: Cyber attacks are growing in frequency and sophistication, and companies typically have a reactive strategy to threats. The data shared on the Platform will aid companies in the DIFC in detecting and preventing cyber-attacks. Hence, we are completely satisfied to work hand in hand with the DFSA and other counterparts to provide the ability necessary to enhance cybersecurity in the DIFC.

Amer Sharaf, Director of Compliance Support & Alliances at DESC, said: We praise the efforts of DFSA for shedding light on the significance of cyber protection via launching this initiative, which brings together and raises the awareness of the financial sector community.

Prior to the launch of the Platform, the DFSA undertook a series of initiatives focusing on cyber risk governance, systems hygiene and resilience. The DFSA also created an expert supervision team tasked with overseeing how companies manipulate their cyber risk.

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