The Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) represented by the National Computer Emergency Team (aeCERT) – a TRA initiative – signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Awqaf & Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF). This step aims at providing the AMAF with aeCERT expertise in terms of electronic awareness and data safeguarding that could breach the Foundation electronic well being.

The MoU was signed by H.E. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, Director General of the TRA, and H.E. Tayeb Abdulrahman Al Rais  Secretary General of AMAF. The signing ceremony was attended by employees from both sides and media.

The MoU comes as a part of the TRA’s policy and vision that adheres to providing a safeguarded cyber environment so that individuals as well as businesses could achieve the utmost ICT benefits. It also contributes to securing a safe platform preserving the government entities from cyber threats that usually target the destruction of the IT infrastructure and at times seek to embezzle confidential information.
In his statement, H.E. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, Director General of the TRA, stressed the importance of the MoU saying: “at the current time, most of the government bodies and authorities are shifting to the electronic systems in accordance with vision of the UAE government; their daily tasks and services are performed through electronic systems and networks. Therefore TRA is working very hard to provide the necessary protection for the ICT infrastructure.”

Al Ghanim added: “The MoU will allow AMAF to benefit from the aeCERT expertise in securing an immune cyber environment. aeCERT aims at enhancing the standards and practice of IT security. It also commits to preserving a safeguarded cyber security infrastructure in parallel with the TRA strategy which aims at securing a safe electronic outer space for the country, its citizens and residents.”

The MoU sets the framework for ICT barter that could be utilized to anticipate cyber threats and respond to it. Through this framework, aeCERT will have the ability to identify potential threats and support the electronic system of the AMAF, in addition to working on developing its response methodology and procedures.

H.E. Tayeb Abdulrahman Al Rais Secretary General of AMAF said: “We are pleased to build this partnership with TRA. We are also thankful to the positive role played by the authority in providing all the required instructions and technical services to protect government institutions from the security threats and risks. Moreover TRA is creating appropriate ways to deal with these threats, prevent them, as well as reduce their impact when they occurred. TRA is keen on accomplishing its duty in order to promote and develop the ICT sector in the UAE.”

Al Rais added: “Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation needs the cooperation and support from the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, through education and awareness, getting advice in terms of responding to the Computer Emergency. We hope that this MoU will be a model in promoting the partnerships between the public sector and the specialized national institutions.”