UAE Cyber Security Council and Siemens Forge Strategic Partnership to Strengthen National OT Cyber Resilience

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: In a significant move to bolster cybersecurity across critical infrastructure and industrial sectors, the UAE Cyber Security Council has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Siemens. This agreement, signed during the 2026 edition of Make it in The Emirates, aims to enhance the security of operational technology (OT) environments throughout the UAE. By establishing a strategic framework for cyber defense, knowledge sharing, and the development of locally hosted security capabilities, this partnership reinforces the UAE’s status as a regional leader in digital resilience.

Establishing a Joint Innovation Center

As part of this collaboration, the two entities plan to create a Joint Innovation Center of Excellence. This center will focus on advancing OT cybersecurity research, fostering talent development, and deploying cutting-edge solutions tailored to the UAE’s unique industrial landscape. This initiative is particularly timely, given the rising frequency and complexity of cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure globally, including ransomware, cyber-espionage, and sophisticated attacks on OT environments.

The Urgency of Cybersecurity Collaboration

The urgency for robust cybersecurity measures has never been more pronounced. As nations accelerate their digital transformation agendas, the need for trusted, cross-border collaboration between governments and technology leaders becomes critical. H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE government, emphasized the nation’s commitment to building a secure, innovation-driven digital economy. He stated that the partnership with Siemens combines global industrial cybersecurity expertise with the UAE’s national vision, aiming to create a resilient cyber defense ecosystem. This collaboration is integral to the implementation of the National Cybersecurity Strategy, enhancing the UAE’s capacity to detect, respond to, and recover from cyber threats across all sectors.

Strategic Areas of Cooperation

Under the MoU, the UAE Cyber Security Council and Siemens will focus on several strategic areas:

• Locally Hosted Security Infrastructure: The deployment of a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platform within the UAE, utilizing local cloud infrastructure to ensure data sovereignty and operational proximity.

• Secure Cross-Border Integration: Assessment of secure alert forwarding mechanisms from the UAE-hosted SIEM to Siemens systems in Germany, facilitating rapid and coordinated incident response across borders.

• Phased SOC Capability Expansion: A phased increase in UAE-based Security Operations Center (SOC) capabilities to align with evolving demands, ensuring scalable and resilient cyber defense operations.

• SINEC Guard Deployment: Exploration of deploying Siemens’ SINEC Guard solution on UAE cloud infrastructure, aimed at supporting the growth of the UAE’s cybersecurity software ecosystem.

A Comprehensive Cooperation Framework

The MoU not only focuses on technology deployment but also establishes a broad framework for ongoing information exchange and joint incident response. The parties will share intelligence on information security risks, malware propagation, and indicators of compromise. Additionally, they will collaborate on advisory assistance during cybersecurity incidents and coordinate joint working groups staffed by experts from both organizations.

Through mutual collaboration on technical workshops, cybersecurity training programs, and knowledge exchange, the partnership aims to identify opportunities to share OT cybersecurity expertise with local institutions, government entities, and industry stakeholders. This initiative is expected to strengthen the UAE’s homegrown cyber talent pipeline.

Siemens’ Role in Industrial Cybersecurity

This MoU builds upon Siemens’ established leadership in industrial cybersecurity, where the company safeguards some of the world’s most critical infrastructure, including energy grids, manufacturing plants, transportation networks, and smart buildings. With a global team of over 1,300 cybersecurity experts managing more than 1,000 incidents monthly, Siemens is well-positioned to assist enterprises and nations like the UAE in defending against the increasing convergence of IT and OT cyber threats.

The framework established by this partnership ensures not only technology transfer but also the creation of a comprehensive knowledge ecosystem. This will build the skills, expertise, and institutional resilience necessary to sustain the UAE’s cyber defense capabilities for years to come.

About the UAE Cyber Security Council

Established by the UAE Cabinet in November 2020, the UAE Cyber Security Council aims to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy and ensure a robust cyber infrastructure. The Council, led by the UAE Government’s Head of Cyber Security, contributes to the nation’s legal and regulatory frameworks for cybersecurity while securing both current and emerging technologies. It also fosters a vibrant cybersecurity ecosystem across the UAE, driving innovation and stimulating economic growth through collaboration with industry, academia, and international cyber diplomacy. Additionally, the Council is responsible for implementing awareness and capacity development initiatives to enhance the safety and security of the UAE populace.

For more information, please visit: UAE Cyber Security Council.

About Siemens

Siemens AG, headquartered in Berlin and Munich, is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. The company aims to create technology that transforms everyday life for everyone. By integrating the real and digital worlds, Siemens empowers customers to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformations, enhancing efficiency in factories, livability in cities, and sustainability in transportation. As a leader in industrial AI, Siemens applies its domain expertise to real-world applications, making AI accessible and impactful across various industries. The Siemens Group generated revenue of €78.9 billion and net income of €10.4 billion in fiscal 2025, employing approximately 318,000 people worldwide.

Source: Zawya.

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