UAE Launches National Crypto Discovery Tool to Strengthen Post-Quantum Security Transition

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is advancing its cybersecurity framework with the introduction of a national Crypto Discovery Tool (CDT). This innovative platform is designed to assist organizations in identifying, managing, and ultimately replacing cryptographic systems that may become vulnerable as quantum computing technology evolves.

Partnership and Development

The CDT has been developed through a collaboration between the UAE Cyber Security Council and QuantumGate, a cybersecurity firm based in Abu Dhabi. This initiative is part of the UAE’s National Post-Quantum Migration Programme, tailored to meet the specific requirements set forth by the UAE National Cryptography Centre.

As quantum computing continues to develop, there is a growing consensus globally that it could potentially compromise many existing cryptographic algorithms that safeguard sensitive data, digital identities, and critical infrastructure. Consequently, governments and enterprises worldwide are beginning to evaluate their cryptographic vulnerabilities and strategize migration paths toward quantum-resistant encryption standards.

Enhancing Visibility and Risk Management

The UAE Cyber Security Council has stated that the CDT will provide organizations with comprehensive visibility into their cryptographic assets across complex IT environments. The tool will automatically identify embedded cryptography, catalog dependencies, and support ongoing risk management efforts.

Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, head of cybersecurity for the UAE government, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Our partnership with QuantumGate on the national Crypto Discovery Tool marks a critical step forward in strengthening the UAE’s national cybersecurity posture in the face of emerging quantum threats. As we advance our National Post-Quantum Migration Programme, having sovereign capability to discover, assess, and manage cryptographic assets across sectors is essential.”

Addressing Visibility Challenges

One of the significant challenges organizations face when preparing for post-quantum cryptography is the lack of visibility regarding where encryption technologies are deployed. Many enterprises operate thousands of applications, devices, and systems that rely on cryptographic algorithms, often without a complete inventory of where those technologies are embedded.

The CDT aims to tackle this challenge by automating cryptographic discovery and inventory management at scale. The platform will also offer continuous monitoring capabilities, allowing organizations to maintain visibility of cryptographic assets over time, support compliance requirements, and adapt to future regulatory directives issued by the Cyber Security Council.

Najwa Aaraj, CEO of QuantumGate, highlighted the importance of visibility in risk management: “Organizations cannot defend against risks they cannot account for. With the Crypto Discovery Tool, we have built a solution that brings that risk into full visibility, enabling organizations to act decisively and migrate with confidence.”

Strategic National Program

The launch of the CDT illustrates the UAE’s ambition to establish itself as a leader in cybersecurity preparedness and digital resilience. Unlike many countries still in the assessment phase of post-quantum planning, the UAE is implementing a coordinated national program that integrates governance, operational tools, and sector-wide implementation.

The outputs from the CDT will be integrated into the UAE’s National Cybersecurity Index platform, resulting in a national Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Index. This consolidation of cryptographic posture information across public and private sectors will provide the Cyber Security Council with a centralized view of the nation’s readiness for quantum-safe security.

Broader Cybersecurity Initiatives

This announcement follows a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering the UAE’s sovereign cyber capabilities. Earlier this year, the UAE Cyber Security Council and Dell Technologies launched a Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence in Abu Dhabi. This center is focused on enhancing national cyber resilience through AI-driven security operations, skills development, and local innovation.

These initiatives reflect a comprehensive strategy that combines advanced threat detection, continuous monitoring, and national coordination. As cyber threats grow increasingly sophisticated and concerns about future quantum-enabled attacks escalate, UAE authorities are working to ensure that critical infrastructure operators, government entities, and private-sector organizations are equipped to transition securely to the next generation of cryptographic protection.

Urgency in Preparation

While large-scale quantum computers capable of breaking current encryption standards are not yet commercially available, security experts are increasingly urging organizations to begin their preparations now. This urgency is particularly pronounced for sectors that handle long-lived sensitive data, where information intercepted today could potentially be decrypted years later using future quantum capabilities.

The UAE’s proactive approach to establishing the CDT and its broader cybersecurity initiatives underscores the importance of readiness in an evolving digital landscape. As quantum computing continues to advance, the need for robust, quantum-resistant cryptographic solutions will become increasingly critical.

Source: www.computerweekly.com

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