The UAE Cyber Security Council and Siemens have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in cybersecurity across critical infrastructure and industrial sectors, addressing the imperative of securing operational technology environments across the UAE’s industrial landscape.
Industrial sources added that this agreement, which was signed at the 2026 edition of Make it in The Emirates, establishes a strategic framework for joint action on cyber defense, knowledge sharing, and the development of locally hosted security capabilities, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a regional leader in digital resilience.
Under the terms of the MoU, both entities aim to establish a Joint Innovation Center of Excellence. This facility will serve as a strategic hub dedicated to advancing Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity research, fostering local talent development, and accelerating the deployment of next-generation security solutions within the UAE.
H.E Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE government stressed that: “The UAE under the direction of its leadership is committed to building a secure, innovation-driven digital economy. Our partnership with Siemens brings together global industrial cybersecurity expertise and our national vision to create a robust cyber defense ecosystem. This collaboration is part of the implementation of our National Cybersecurity Strategy to enhance our ability to detect, respond to, and recover from cyber threats across all sectors.”
“Cybersecurity is not just a technology challenge, it is a foundation for economic competitiveness and national resilience,”ย saidย Mohamed Khalifa, Head of Digital Industries at Siemens in the Middle East. “This MoU with the UAE Cyber Security Council reflects our shared belief that securing critical infrastructure requires deep collaboration, local capability building, and world-class technology. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a more secure and sovereign digital future for the UAE.โ
Under the MoU, The UAE Cyber Security Council and Siemens intend to pursue cooperation across several strategic areas:
- Locally Hosted Security Infrastructure:ย Exploring the deployment of a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platform within the UAE using country cloud infrastructure, ensuring data sovereignty and operational proximity.
- Secure Cross-Border Integration:ย Assessing secure alert forwarding mechanisms from the UAE-hosted SIEM to Siemens systems in Germany, enabling rapid, coordinated incident response across geographies.
- Phased SOC Capability Expansion:ย Assessing a phased increase of UAE-based Security Operations Center (SOC) capabilities aligned with evolving demand, ensuring scalable, resilient, and locally anchored cyber defense operations.
- SINEC Guard Deployment:ย Exploring options to deploy Siemens’ SINEC Guard solution on UAE cloud infrastructure, with localized market positioning to support the growth of the UAE’s cybersecurity software ecosystem.
National OT Cyber Resilience Framework
This strategic partnership transforms the UAEโs digital defense landscape by moving beyond simple technology procurement into a comprehensive knowledge ecosystem. By integrating Siemens’ industrial expertise with national security objectives, the framework proactively secures critical infrastructureโincluding energy grids, transport networks, and smart buildingsโagainst increasingly sophisticated IT and OT threats.
Core Pillars of Cooperation
- Active Intelligence Sharing: Both parties exchange real-time data on malware propagation, information security risks, and indicators of compromise (IOCs).
- Operational Incident Support: Joint working groups provide expert advisory assistance and coordinated responses during active cybersecurity incidents.
- Talent Pipeline Development: The initiative facilitates technical workshops and training programs to transfer specialized OT expertise to local government and industry stakeholders.
Through this collaboration, Siemens deploys its global network of 1,300 experts to handle over 1,000 monthly incidents, directly bolstering the UAEโs institutional resilience. This framework ensures that technology transfer translates into long-term sovereign capabilities, effectively safeguarding the nation’s “homegrown” cyber talent and critical assets for years to come.
