The UAE Cyber Security Council successfully hosted the CyberFirst UAE Summit 2026 in Abu Dhabi, gathering top CISOs, government officials, and technology pioneers to bolster the nation’s cyber resilience. The high-level summit highlighted cybersecurity’s crucial role in underpinning the UAE’s ambitious AED 100 billion-plus digital economy agenda.
A Unified Front Against Rising Threats
The summit’s timing is critical. While the UAE achieved a perfect 100% score in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, earning the status of a global “Pioneering Model,” the regional threat landscape is intensifying. Discussions at the event acknowledged a nearly 40% year-on-year increase in cyber incidents across the GCC, demanding a proactive and collaborative defense strategy.
A National Imperative
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, emphasized the strategic importance of this collective effort. “Cybersecurity is no longer a purely technical function; it is a national imperative that underpins economic growth, public trust, and societal resilience. As digital transformation accelerates, the scale, speed, and sophistication of cyber threats demand a unified approach that brings together policy, innovation, and leadership.”
“The CyberFirst UAE Summit served as a critical platform for collaboration, enabling decision-makers and industry leaders to align on strategy, share intelligence, and advance the adoption of secure-by-design frameworks,” Dr. Al Kuwaiti added. “By strengthening cyber resilience today, we help ensure that the UAE’s digital future remains trusted, competitive, and globally respected.”
Fostering Strategic Collaboration
The one-day summit served as a catalyst for policy exchange and innovation, uniting senior stakeholders from government, finance, utilities, energy, healthcare, and other critical infrastructure sectors. Key discussions focused on pressing topics including national cyber resilience, the security implications of AI and cloud adoption, Zero Trust architectures, threat intelligence sharing, and securing the digital supply chain.
Recognizing Industry Excellence
A major highlight of the event was the Awards & Recognition Ceremony, which celebrated leadership and innovation across the cybersecurity ecosystem. The awards honored achievements in categories such as Cloud & AI Security, Zero Trust Implementation, Threat Intelligence Leadership, and recognized the Cybersecurity Leader and Woman of the Year.
About The UAE Cyber Security Council
The UAE Cyber Security Council is a federal entity responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy to protect the UAE’s cyberspace. The Council works to create a safe and resilient cyber infrastructure that enables growth, innovation, and prosperity for the nation.
Source: Zawya
