New initiative combines internet intelligence and AI-driven cyber defense to protect critical national infrastructure and essential services
Internet intelligence leader Censys and agentic AI cybersecurity specialist Rilian have launched Operation Digital Shield in the United Arab Emirates, a new initiative aimed at strengthening the cybersecurity posture of the country’s critical national infrastructure (CNI).
The program combines Censys’ global internet intelligence capabilities with Rilian’s expertise in security orchestration, automation, and sovereign cyber defense to identify, monitor, and protect sensitive digital assets across government agencies, critical infrastructure operators, humanitarian organizations, and essential service providers.
The initiative comes at a time of increasing cyber threats targeting national infrastructure. According to the UAE Cyber Security Council, cyberattacks against the country’s digital infrastructure reportedly increased from 200,000 to 600,000 during recent geopolitical tensions, underscoring the growing need for proactive cyber defense measures.
Operation Digital Shield extends protection to critical sectors including healthcare, energy, utilities, and other essential services. The program provides visibility into exposed attack surfaces, identifies vulnerable assets, and delivers real-time threat intelligence designed to help organizations detect and respond to cyber threats at machine speed.
“Protecting critical infrastructure and sovereign data requires more than visibility alone. Through Operation Digital Shield, we are combining internet intelligence and automated cyber defense capabilities to help organizations stay ahead of emerging cyber threats.”
Meriam ElOuazzani, Vice President, META, Censys
Built on a three-pillar framework covering emergency response, civilian protection, and team preparedness, the initiative supports Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and Cyber Commands with capabilities such as national exposure assessments, critical vulnerability alerts, and monitoring of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) environments.
In addition to technology and intelligence sharing, the program also focuses on cybersecurity education and workforce readiness, helping security teams improve their ability to detect, mitigate, and respond to evolving cyber threats.
“Operation Digital Shield locates sensitive data and highlights at-risk systems within critical national infrastructure, enabling organizations to prioritize critical issues and strengthen overall cybersecurity resilience.”
Ryan Elzein, Regional Director for Europe and the Middle East, Rilian
The UAE deployment forms part of a broader expansion strategy across the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) region, where Censys and Rilian plan to work with regional cybersecurity organizations to strengthen cyber resilience and improve protection for critical infrastructure and sovereign digital assets.
By combining threat intelligence, automation, and operational readiness, Operation Digital Shield aims to help organizations across the UAE enhance cyber resilience and better defend against increasingly sophisticated attacks targeting critical national infrastructure.
