MoU signed at CyberQ 2025 expands access to advanced cybersecurity training, global certifications, and future-ready skills across the UAE workforce.
SANS Institute has entered into a strategic partnership with the UAE Cybersecurity Council to strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity capabilities and prepare its workforce for emerging and quantum-era threats. The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during CyberQ 2025, aligns with the UAE’s long-term vision of building a secure, resilient, and future-ready digital ecosystem.
The partnership brings together global cybersecurity expertise and national leadership with a shared objective: enhancing the UAE’s preparedness in preventing, detecting, and responding to increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. Central to the initiative is workforce development, with a strong focus on expanding technical expertise and deepening awareness of next-generation risks, including those posed by quantum computing and secure AI.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone in empowering UAE cybersecurity professionals with advanced, future-ready skills to counter emerging and quantum-era threats,” — Ned Baltagi, Managing Director – Middle East, Turkey and Africa, SANS Institute
As part of the collaboration, SANS Institute conducted a dedicated workshop on “Cybersecurity in the Quantum Era,” offering insights into how quantum technologies could reshape both cyber defense and cyber risk. Looking ahead, SANS will introduce advanced training programmes in Quantum Security and Secure AI, designed to equip cybersecurity professionals with the skills needed to navigate rapidly evolving threat landscapes.
The MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for capacity building, providing access to globally recognised certifications, hands-on training, and expert-led technical workshops. These initiatives will benefit professionals across public and private sectors—from early-career practitioners to senior cybersecurity leaders—through joint training sessions, specialist missions, and structured knowledge exchanges aligned with global best practices.
“Strengthening cyber resilience requires deep collaboration between global expertise and national capability-building,” said His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government.
Ned Baltagi, Managing Director for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa at SANS Institute, highlighted that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening national cyber resilience and supporting the UAE’s digital transformation agenda. He noted that SANS remains committed to enabling the UAE’s cybersecurity community with advanced expertise and practical capabilities that support long-term national security goals.
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, emphasized the importance of partnering with specialized global cybersecurity organizations to enhance national cyber capabilities. He underscored that such collaborations are critical to boosting readiness, addressing future threats, safeguarding digital assets, and reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in cybersecurity and digital innovation.
Beyond training, SANS Institute and the UAE Cybersecurity Council will collaborate on information sharing, awareness initiatives, advisory support, and the exchange of threat intelligence and incident response insights. Built on principles of reciprocity and mutual benefit, the partnership enables structured cooperation aimed at strengthening the nation’s resilience against complex and evolving cyber threats.
As the collaboration advances, both organizations will continue to align on technical workshops, cross-sector programmes, and talent development initiatives—laying the foundation for a highly skilled national cyber workforce and ensuring the long-term protection of the UAE’s digital infrastructure and assets.
