The Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) has partnered with Microsoft to launch a new Zero Trust assurance dashboard, providing real-time visibility into the cybersecurity posture of government entities in Dubai. This initiative, unveiled at GISEC Global 2026, aims to enhance compliance with Dubai’s Information Security Regulation (ISR) by replacing traditional self-reported assessments with continuously updated data.
Enhanced Cybersecurity Monitoring
The newly developed dashboard allows DESC to monitor the security performance of various government entities in real-time. It leverages Microsoft security signals generated by these entities, mapping them against relevant ISR controls. Key areas of focus include risky identities, Multi-Factor Authentication, Conditional Access, privileged access, device compliance, and active security incidents.
With the dashboard, DESC can track 37 different types of security findings, providing detailed information to government IT teams. Each finding includes an explanation of the issue, its significance, verification methods, and recommended steps for resolution. Notably, guidance can be exported in both Arabic and English, ensuring accessibility for all users.
Wider Implementation Across Dubai
After a successful pilot phase involving two government entities, the dashboard is set to be rolled out to over 80 additional entities across the Emirate. This expansion reflects DESC’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity measures and advancing the Zero Trust framework within the Dubai Government.
“Strengthening cyber resilience requires visibility that is timely, measurable, and actionable,” stated H.E. Amer Sharaf, CEO of the Cybersecurity Systems & Services Sector at DESC. He emphasized that the initiative enhances oversight and provides clearer guidance for addressing identified security gaps.
Collaboration with Microsoft
Amr Kamel, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, echoed this sentiment, noting that effective cyber-resilience cannot depend on sporadic visibility. He highlighted the importance of continuous measurement and actionable insights in managing increasingly interconnected digital environments. The collaboration with DESC exemplifies how existing security signals can be transformed into a live view of cybersecurity posture, facilitating quicker remediation and reinforcing Zero Trust principles across Dubai Government.
This project builds on the existing cybersecurity partnership between DESC and Microsoft, which includes the certification of Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365 against DESC’s Cloud Service Provider Security Standard. Microsoft also operates cloud regions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, further solidifying its commitment to enhancing cybersecurity in the region.
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