Critical information infrastructure (CII) is essential to the functioning of societies, supporting daily life and powering key sectors such as energy, healthcare, finance, telecommunications and transportation. As the systems become increasingly digital, ensuring their cybersecurity is vital to protecting public safety and economic stability. The Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC), as the cybersecurity regulator in Dubai, plays a significant role in securing the emirate’s CII through a structured, risk-based approach reinforced by regulatory frameworks.

In collaboration with the designated sector leads, DESC conducted rigorous risk assessments, mapping interdependencies that connect the various sectors to prevent cascading failures that could negatively affect the city’s economy and the well-being of its citizens. The Dubai Cyber Resilience Plan includes cybersecurity guidelines and measures for sector leads to implement, such as asset classification, disaster recovery, business continuity planning and incident response plans.

To build the Dubai Cyber Resilience Plan, DESC identified critical sectors, ensuring the protection of critical services and assets that are the backbone of the city’s operations. The approach to fortifying Dubai’s digital infrastructure integrates regulatory oversight and strategic  cybersecurity initiatives, positioning the city as a global leader in cyber resilience.