UAE Cyber Factory Launched to Counter 800,000 Daily Attacks and Build Sovereign Digital Defence

The UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC) and its national strategic partner CPX Holding have jointly launched the UAE Cyber Factory, a landmark initiative designed to give the Emirates sovereign, end-to-end ownership of its cybersecurity capabilities. Unveiled at the fifth edition of the Make it in the Emirates exhibition in Abu Dhabi, the programme marks a decisive step in the country's long-term strategy to design, develop and manufacture globally competitive cybersecurity solutions on home soil.

The announcement comes at a critical moment. The UAE Cyber Security Council has recorded more than 800,000 cyberattacks targeting the country every single day in recent months, a volume that reflects the growing sophistication and scale of threats directed at both public institutions and private enterprises. The sheer scale of daily incidents has made the need for a dedicated, AI-powered national defence capability not only urgent but essential.

At its core, the UAE Cyber Factory is built to do what existing models have not: consolidate local talent, advanced engineering, and AI-driven innovation into a single sovereign ecosystem. Rather than relying on imported solutions or fragmented vendor relationships, the factory will develop next-generation cybersecurity programmes, technologies and systems entirely within the UAE, enabling faster detection, more precise prevention, and a coordinated national response to emerging threats.

Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, framed the launch as the beginning of a new chapter. "The UAE Cyber Factory signals a new phase of leadership, positioning the UAE as a global hub for advanced cybersecurity and a digital power shaping the future of the industry," he said. "In the face of rising global challenges, the UAE stands as a leading model that not only protects but also innovates and leads by developing advanced technologies capable of detecting, preventing and deterring cyber threats effectively."

Hadi Anwar, CEO of CPX Holding, described the initiative as a milestone for national digital resilience. "We are truly honoured to serve as the trusted partner of the UAE Cyber Security Council and contribute to this project," he said. "The UAE Cyber Factory marks a major step toward a sovereign, future-ready cybersecurity ecosystem. It brings together local talent, advanced engineering and innovation built in the UAE. By enabling end-to-end capabilities and strengthening national ownership of digital defences, it will help create a secure and resilient environment for government, businesses and citizens."

The factory will operate as a fully integrated, sovereign ecosystem, meaning the UAE will have direct control over every layer of its cyber defence architecture, from threat intelligence and monitoring through to incident response and capability development. This model reduces strategic dependency on external vendors and positions the country as a producer, not merely a consumer, of advanced cybersecurity technology.

The initiative aligns closely with the UAE's broader national agenda on technology sovereignty, which spans artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure and critical system protection. For enterprises and government entities operating across the Emirates, the Cyber Factory represents a signal that the national cybersecurity posture is entering a more self-sufficient, operationally mature phase, one in which AI is not simply a defensive tool but a native part of the country's security infrastructure. Organisations seeking to align with the country's evolving regulatory baseline should also review their obligations under the UAE NESA cybersecurity framework, which governs information assurance standards across critical national infrastructure operators.

CPX Holding is one of the region's leading providers of cyber and physical security solutions and services, with an established track record supporting government and enterprise clients across the Gulf. The partnership with the Cyber Security Council builds on that foundation, providing the implementation capability needed to turn the factory's ambitions into operational reality.

For security professionals and enterprise leaders across the MENA region, the UAE Cyber Factory sets a benchmark. It demonstrates what a national-level commitment to cyber sovereignty looks like in practice, and it raises the question of whether other governments in the Gulf will follow with comparable initiatives as the threat landscape continues to intensify.