DBT Bureau
Pune, 11 April 2025
Following the U.S. visit of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and the National Security Advisor of the UAE, the UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC) and Google Cloud today announced a strategic initiative to further support the United Arab Emirates as a global leader in cybersecurity innovation and education. This new initiative signifies the UAE’s confidence in Google Cloud’s unique ability to fortify its national cybersecurity infrastructure, thus building a more secure and resilient digital foundation for the nation.
As part of this initiative, Google Cloud will establish a UAE-focused cybersecurity center of excellence in Abu Dhabi with the mission of driving cutting-edge cybersecurity research and innovation, as well as providing training courses to nurture the next generation of cyber talent.
To support this ambitious initiative, Google Cloud will also, with CSC’s backing, make significant investments in advanced cloud capabilities in the UAE. The initiative will rely on Google Cloud’s secure, scalable and high-performance global infrastructure to provide the necessary foundation for advanced cybersecurity innovation. This underscores Google Cloud’s long-term commitment to the UAE’s cybersecurity vision, and the nation’s confidence in the platform’s security capabilities to strengthen its cyber resilience.
This initiative is poised to generate significant economic benefits for the UAE. By creating a secure digital ecosystem, the UAE can mitigate billions of dollars in potential cybercrime losses, foster a thriving cybersecurity sector, and attract substantial foreign direct investment. Based on research conducted by Access Partnership, enhanced cybersecurity capabilities are projected to prevent at least $6.8 billion in cybercrime losses by 2030, support over 20,300 specialized cybersecurity jobs, and attract up to $1.4 billion in cumulative foreign direct investment by 2030. Furthermore, a robust cybersecurity environment will encourage broader digitalization, leading to significant productivity gains across the economy.
Establishing a cybersecurity center of excellence in the heart of Abu Dhabi
At the core of this initiative is Google Cloud’s plan, endorsed by CSC, to establish a cybersecurity-focused center of excellence in Abu Dhabi, which will be dedicated to strengthening cybersecurity capabilities across the UAE and beyond. Designed as a world-class hub for building a safer internet, the shared vision of this center is based on:
- Collaboration & knowledge sharing: Partnering with global academia, research institutes and policy makers to share knowledge, amplify impact, and promote intelligence sharing across sectors;
- Training & education: Equipping people and organizations with the skills needed to combat evolving threats;
- Expert talent: Building and maintaining a highly skilled team of intelligence analysts and security experts.
Cultivating the next generation of cyber talent
A skilled cybersecurity workforce is essential for defending against increasingly complex threats. With CSC’s endorsement, a training program to address this need will be delivered from the center of excellence by Mandiant, part of Google Cloud, whose global security professionals have more than 20 years of industry-leading investigative experience handling complex cyberattacks.
This program will deliver virtual, hands-on, immersive courses that equip individuals and teams with the expertise to protect critical systems, harness AI-driven security tools, and respond effectively to cyber incidents. With role-based learning and methodologies grounded in real-world breaches, this training program will shape the next generation of cyber defenders across the UAE.
At the core of this program’s approach will be:
- Experiential learning: Combining instructor-led courses with cutting-edge cyber simulation exercises, training will be delivered by Mandiant’s frontline cybersecurity experts;
- Cyber simulation range: A controlled environment that replicates real-world cyber attack scenarios. Participants engage in live incident response exercises, mirroring the tactics of advanced threat actors;
- Flexible learning options: Self-paced courses, private and public sessions, and tailored training programs cater to every organization’s needs.
“This strategic collaboration with Google Cloud is a cornerstone of the UAE’s vision to become a global cybersecurity leader. Our collaboration will not only help address the immediate cyber threats that our nation faces but, crucially, will cultivate the next generation of cybersecurity experts and foster the development of cutting-edge solutions needed to secure our digital future,” said Dr. Mohamed Alkuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government.
“The UAE has a clear vision to become a global leader in cybersecurity, and Google Cloud is honored to be a foundational collaborator in building that future. Our shared goal represents a powerful combination of digital infrastructure, a hub for innovation, and a training ground for the next generation of cyber defenders. This will equip organizations and individuals with the skills and AI-driven solutions needed to thrive in the face of evolving threats,” said Cristina Pitarch, Managing Director, EMEA, Google Cloud Security.
