Dubai Electricity & Water Authority | DEWA signs MOU with TRA to Enhance Online Security

As the rapid growth of information network and the increasing demand of the Internet has caused an evolution of risks and threats to information network security which need to be recognized and carefully studied in order to find means and ways to address these threats, prevent their occurrences, as well as limiting the scope of their impact once they occur, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), represented by Eng. Marwan bin Haider – VP CIO at DEWA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Computer Emergency Response Team (aeCERT) which is an initiative of UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), and was represented by Mr. Majid Sultan Al Mesmar, TRA Deputy Director General. The MOU defines the means of collaboration between the two parties in the fields of information security and the mechanism of coordination for the sharing of information and the provision of early warnings and notifications of threats and vulnerabilities in order to facilitate the detection, prevention and respond to the broader set of cyber security incidents such as hacking, viruses and corruption on the Internet. H.E. Saeed M. Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, in this respect, said:Signing this MoU comes as part of the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VP and PM of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for the importance of enhancing valuable cooperation among national departments and entities to lead to government services enhancement.” Al Tayer added: Information security is one of our top priorities, and it is always imperative for us to ensure our stakeholders, customers and staff benefits. So we consider signing this MoU between DEWA and TRA as a result of the continuous cooperation to enhance DEWA’s services performance toward our customers in regards of e-services exchange and information security. In this respect, Eng. Marwan bin Haider said: We at DEWA, continuously, develop our systems for the sake of securing our information network against any possible threats, so in this regard aeCERT shall provide DEWA with consultation and awareness on the preliminary threats for better system and electronic data protection enhancement against any cyber attack. aeCERT will issue preliminary alerts and advisories to DEWA based on the information they provide regarding incidents within its own operating environment”, bin Haider added. He added aeCERT will provide proactive services to measure the quality of DEWA information security and will conduct risks analysis and assessment, research and analysis on new and existing technologies together with their related services, as well as researching potential and emerging threats in order to provide DEWA with the relevant information and consultation.” From his side, Mr. Majid Al Mesmar said: TRA, as it comes in tandem with the purpose from establishing the aeCERT, is seeking to provide a safer electronic environment for the parties concerned, and aeCERT will aim at providing DEWA with a comprehensive protection scheme for information against the risks associated with the electronic network, while maintaining the safety of the information infrastructure and data confidentiality.” The TRA introduced SALIM last month, the Emirati Cyber Security Advisor, to provide IT and Internet end users with tips that will protect them against cyber threats and guide them towards a safe cyber culture in the UAE; especially to students, Al Mesmar concluded. The event took place at DEWA head office.