Thales and the UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Dubai Airshow to establish a long-term partnership focused on developing a Cyber Centre of Excellence in the UAE.
The initiative supports the nation’s vision to enhance cyber sovereignty, build local expertise, and drive innovation across strategic sectors, beginning with space.
The agreement outlines the creation of three key capabilities: a Space META Security Operations Centre (SOC), a Cyber Evaluation Lab, and a Crypto Lab.
The Space META-SOC will focus on protecting space infrastructures and will be developed in cooperation with a local industrial partner. Linked to the national SOC, it will integrate advanced technical capabilities and provide specialised training on satellite constellation and ground system monitoring.
The Cyber Evaluation Lab will serve as a testing and evaluation facility for software and hardware assets, operated by UAE nationals. It will also support the development of national cybersecurity policies and governance frameworks, positioning the UAE as a regional benchmark for cybersecurity excellence.
The Crypto Lab will design, test, and validate cryptographic solutions for space applications, concentrating on Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). Thales experts will lead training and knowledge transfer, drawing on experience from European Space Agency projects.
His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, said the collaboration reflects the UAE’s strategic vision to enhance cyber resilience, develop national talent, and protect the country’s digital ecosystem from emerging threats.
He noted that the partnership also reinforces the country’s commitment to cooperation with leading global technology companies to ensure a secure and prosperous digital future.
“This partnership with the UAE Cyber Security Council marks a major milestone in our joint commitment to advancing the UAE’s sovereign, secure and sustainable cybersecurity ecosystem,” said Christophe Salomon, Executive Vice-President of Secure Communications and Information Systems at Thales. “Together, we combine our complementary expertise and shared ambition to shape the future of cybersecurity, starting with the space domain.”
The Cyber Centre of Excellence will drive joint research, development, and innovation between Thales and the CSC to strengthen the UAE’s cybersecurity ecosystem. The collaboration is expected to expand beyond the space sector in the future, further enhancing the country’s role as a regional and global leader in digital security.
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