Issue 05
العربية

Esharat is a digital magazine, issued biannually and freely by Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) to provide information and raise community awareness about cyber security and technology, in line with DESC’s mandate to implement government strategy and support Dubai’s journey to becoming the safest cyberspace in the world.

Desc & dha partner to secure biomedical devices

Dubai’s Security Standard for Electronic Biomedical Devices (EBMD), launched by Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) and Dubai Health Authority (DHA), provides protection for sensitive patient information and limits security breaches in the healthcare sector across the Emirate.

The EBMD standard contributes to the development of a strong health system, capable of facing the challenges of rapidly accelerating advancements in the medical sector. It also supports the responsibility of health institutions to protect their systems against hacking and their ability to safeguard confidential patient data.

“DESC is proud to continue its cooperative efforts with DHA in its ongoing success of digitisation initiatives in the healthcare sector,” said Yousuf Al Shaibani, DESC Director General.

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In terms of the guidelines, EBMD offered in Dubai are now categorised into four security risk classes, with classes 1 and 2 having to meet general security standards, the specialised devices in class 3 coming under stricter control and those in class 4 subject to the most sensitive strict standards.

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Desc’s secured wireless communication protocol is a revolutionary first

Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) has filed a first-of-its-kind patent for secure wireless communication, designed in collaboration with the University of Dubai (UD).

The ground-breaking system provides built-in security and has been approved for use in sensitive and critical communication channels, like those used by government entities requiring high-level security in systems such as satellite communications. The patent features a novel security algorithm that has proved to be resistant against sophisticated cybersecurity attacks, while maintaining excellent communication performance.

The secure wireless communication protocol is equipped with an encrypted channel that communicates data between sender and authorised recipient. It can be applied to existing wireless devices without the need for replacement.

HE Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General of DESC, praised the team responsible for the patent, which he said was in line with the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy objectives in supporting collaboration to manage cyber risks.

Cyber threat intelligence platform for financial sector

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Dubai’s financial services sector has been made even more cyber-resilient since the launch of its own regulator-led Open Source Threat Intelligence and Sharing Platform Project (MISP). This platform is a collaboration between Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the UAE National Computer Emergency Response Team (aeCERT) and the Computer Incident Response Center Luxembourg (CIRCL).

The Platform facilitates secure information sharing for all companies operating in or from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). It also links them with respected international cybersecurity firms, such as Palo Alto Networks, Kaspersky and others.

Bryan Stirewalt, CEO of the DFSA said the Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform gathered a community of cyber experts in a coordinated fight against cyberattacks. “It will be a valuable mechanism for all members of the DIFC ecosystem to share information on threats and risks. These intensified efforts support the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy,” he noted.

Amer Sharaf, DESC Director of Compliance, Support & Alliances, said the initiative shed light on the importance of cybersecurity and raised the awareness of the financial sector community.