SANS Institute Partners with UAE Cybersecurity Council to Strengthen National Cyber Readiness
The partnership focuses on strengthening national cybersecurity capabilities across critical ICT and cybersecurity domains, with an emphasis on cyberattack prevention, detection, and response.
SANS Institute, a global leader in cybersecurity training and certifications, has announced a strategic partnership with the UAE Cybersecurity Council aimed at enhancing the nation’s cybersecurity readiness and supporting its long-term vision for a secure digital future. The agreement was formalized during CyberQ 2025, with His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Alkuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, and Ned Baltagi, Managing Director – Middle East, Turkey and Africa at SANS Institute, in attendance.
The partnership focuses on strengthening national cybersecurity capabilities across critical ICT and cybersecurity domains, with an emphasis on cyberattack prevention, detection, and response. As part of the initiative, SANS Institute conducted a workshop on “Cybersecurity in the Quantum Era” and plans to introduce future-oriented training programs in Secure AI and Quantum Security to equip professionals with the skills needed to navigate next-generation technological risks.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes a comprehensive framework for workforce development, offering access to globally recognized certifications, hands-on learning experiences, and expert-led technical workshops. Professionals across both public and private sectors—from early-career practitioners to senior cybersecurity leaders—will benefit from joint training sessions, specialist missions, and educational exchanges that expand exposure to advanced defense methodologies and global best practices.
Ned Baltagi of SANS Institute highlighted the collaboration’s importance in empowering cybersecurity professionals with advanced expertise and future-ready skills, noting that initiatives such as the Quantum Security program will support the UAE’s efforts to strengthen its position as a global cybersecurity leader. The partnership will also focus on information sharing, capacity building, awareness initiatives, and advisory support, enhancing the UAE’s resilience against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
As the collaboration advances, SANS Institute and the UAE Cybersecurity Council will continue to coordinate technical workshops, cross-sector training programs, and exchanges of threat intelligence and incident-response insights. This partnership represents a significant step in developing a highly capable national cyber workforce and safeguarding the UAE’s digital infrastructure and assets for the future.
