Abu dhabi: The United Arab Emirates has announced the approval of the National Encryption Policy and the issuance of its executive regulation, urging government entities to create clear and officially approved transition plans from traditional encryption methods to post-quantum cryptography. The initiative aims to support a safer and technologically prepared future amid the rapid advancements in quantum computing.
According to Emirates News Agency, this milestone is in line with the vision and directives of the UAE's leadership to establish a secure and modern digital infrastructure. It reaffirms the nation's commitment to keeping pace with major technological transformations and anticipating future developments, further solidifying the UAE's position as a global hub for artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
The UAE Cybersecurity Council will oversee the national migration efforts, working closely with government bodies to ensure the successful implementation of post-quantum encryption standards. The council's objective is to reinforce data protection and safeguard digital assets in accordance with the highest international best practices.
Under its leadership, the UAE, through the Cybersecurity Council, is developing comprehensive national strategies for post-quantum encryption. This enhances the country's readiness to confront emerging challenges and align with global advancements in this field. The UAE is now considered one of the leading nations worldwide in adopting and transitioning toward post-quantum encryption, driven by its proactive approach and sustained investment in advanced technologies.
The UAE Cybersecurity Council is tasked with strengthening national information security, protecting data from unauthorized access, and proposing legislation, policies, and regulations related to encryption. It sets procedures and standards to ensure proper implementation, with recommendations submitted to the National Security Advisor for approval.
The council also proposes mechanisms to mitigate risks posed by quantum computing to systems with weak cryptographic components and prepares plans for their migration. It conducts technical and analytical assessments to support government and private entities in evaluating the readiness and integrity of digital systems before wide-scale adoption and deployment.
These assessments include evaluating the efficiency, quality, and preparedness of AI systems, applications, software, hardware, and technical components to ensure compliance with national and international standards. This enables institutions to obtain technical accreditation and validate their solutions with confidence.
The council's services are structured around four main testing and verification pillars: AI reliability testing, software reliability testing, hardware reliability testing, and signal reliability testing.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE government, stated that the approval of the National Encryption Policy and its executive regulation represents a significant advancement in the national cybersecurity framework. He emphasized that this achievement reflects the leadership's commitment to strengthening the UAE's status as a trusted global hub for artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. He added that encryption and information security have become critical challenges in the era of comprehensive digital transformation, highlighting the reliance on secure and resilient digital infrastructure.