19 November, 2008

The UAE Computer Emergency Response Team (aeCERT), which is one of the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) initiatives, is sponsoring the Middle East IT Security Exhibition and Conference (MEITSEC) 2008, entitled: “Defense in Depth”, that is taking place at Etisalat Academy in Dubai, from 16 – 20 November 2008.

To this end, Eng. Fatma Bazargan, Manager of Research and Analysis at the aeCERT, said: “In order to cope with the rapid growth of the Internet and the ever increasing vulnerabilities that appear daily, the TRA has taken a proactive step by establishing the aeCERT, which has been accredited by the UAE Cabinet for Services as the National CERT in the country.”

In his turn, H.E. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, TRA Director General, delivered the Keynote Address of MEITSEC Conference that started today. After welcoming the participants and distinguished guests, and emphasizing on the importance of the event regionally, Mr. Al Ghanim stated that MEITSEC “is an opportunity for us all to address the current and future cyber threats and risks, and to brainstorm on how to mitigate and reduce their potential impact on private and governmental sectors, not only in the UAE, but worldwide.”

“From the very beginning, the TRA has declared its strong conviction that the key element in preventing cyber threats from increasing, is to formulate an effective National Strategy Plan for cyber security incidents in the UAE and the GCC; as well as the Global community, since we are a critical part of,” Al Ghanim added.

“Therefore, we have taken this initiative of establishing the aeCERT to build, refine and establish the infrastructure, systems, plans, partnerships and processes to enable us to deliver an effective computer emergency response mandate; addressing the current and future cyber security needs of the UAE,” Al Ghanim continued.

Al Ghanim clarified that “the aeCERT constitutes a cyber security coordination center in the UAE to facilitate the detection, prevention and response to a broader set of cyber security incidents in the Internet. It is a tool to enhance the cyber security law; enhance information security awareness across the UAE; build national expertise in information security, incident management and computer forensics; provide a central trusted point of contact for cyber security incident reporting in the UAE; and establish a national center to disseminate information about threats vulnerabilities and cyber security incidents. As for monitoring and response, the aeCERT has in place the National Threat Monitor which monitors the number of electronic attacks and the viruses they spread to breach the defenses of the Internet; along with the Botnet activity in the country. The aeCERT is also a tool to foster the establishment of and provide assistance to sector-based Computer Security Incidents Research Teams (CSIRTs), coordinate with domestic and international CSIRTs and related organizations, and become an active member of recognized security organizations and forums.”

Finally, Mr. Al Ghanim extended the TRA appreciation to the participants for their role in the success of the event, insisting “on the importance of the cooperation among all related parties, consisting of the civic, security, governmental, private and technical sectors to achieve the desired goals of a secured and safe IT network in the UAE.” Where he stressed that cooperation and coordination are vital for the safety of cyberspace “especially in this digital age that depends totally on Information Technology to run its economic, social, security, and defense matters.”