Strategic Contract to Protect National OT Systems –
The UAE Cybersecurity Council has signed a strategic agreement with Rilian Technologies, coordinated by CPX Holding. This move aims to protect the country’s critical infrastructure using automation and artificial intelligence (AI). The Rilian Defense Platform (RDP) will be deployed within the National Security Operations Center (NSOC) to manage and secure operational technology (OT).
This news comes in the wake of a NATO report that paints ports as digital battlegrounds. As far as critical infrastructure goes, ports are right there, managing 80% of global trade. NATO says state actors and cyber gangs are exploiting outdated systems and weak defenses. UAE ports manage more than 61% of cargo movement within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and maintain links to over 70 destinations worldwide.
“Over the past decade, the UAE has pursued a vision of innovation to enhance our people’s lives and establish the safest and most dynamic economy,”
H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, UAE’s Head of Cybersecurity
Additionally, Middle Eastern organizations paid over $8 million per cyber incident in 2023. Group-IB reports that in 2024, 27.5% of advanced persistent threats (APTs) were directed at Gulf states. Government, finance, and energy sectors were primary targets.
AI Agents and Sovereign Cloud Integration
The platform integrates sovereign cloud capabilities and agentic AI tools that will automate threat detection and incident response across vital infrastructure. Emirati cyber defense teams will gain access to real-time analytics and autonomous monitoring tools.
H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, UAE‘s Head of Cybersecurity, emphasized the broader vision, “Over the past decade, the UAE has pursued a vision of innovation to enhance our people’s lives and establish the safest and most dynamic economy,” he said. Adding, “This agreement will play a pivotal role in protecting of this vision, ensuring that our future remains secure, bright, and full of opportunity.”
One Minute Watch – Strategic Cyber Protection for UAE’s Critical Infrastructure
Global Partners Strengthen National Strategy
The contract includes global collaborators such as Google Cloud, bringing technology into national defense infrastructure. Christian Schnedler, CEO of Rilian Technologies, connected the project to national priorities, “The UAE has laid out a clear roadmap to secure its 2031 vision through resilient, sovereign infrastructure.”
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CPX: A Cyber Ally
CPX Holding’s deep expertise in security operations will drive implementation. The project’s goal is to scale efficiency and effectiveness for Emirati OT defenders. Hadi Anwar, CPX CEO, said: “This agreement comes at a pivotal moment in cybersecurity history, as both threat actors and defenders rapidly adopt AI-driven capabilities.”
Looking Ahead: Reinforcing Digital Sovereignty
The UAE’s cybersecurity initiative marks a shift toward AI-powered, autonomous defenses that are specifically designed for critical infrastructure. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the nation’s sovereign innovation and public-private partnerships position it as a leader in regional cybersecurity.
Martin Hinton is the Executive Editor and Publisher of Cyber Insurance News and Information. With over three decades of journalism experience across six continents, his work encompasses investigative reporting, documentaries, and coverage of cultural, political, and business news. To learn more about his career, click on his name to visit his LinkedIn page.
