ABU DHABI, 30th May, 2025 (WAM) -- The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH), in a strategic partnership with the UAE Cyber Security Council, has conducted a comprehensive cybersecurity drill aimed at strengthening cyber resilience across the healthcare sector.

The drill simulated best practices and cybersecurity behaviours among professionals in this vital field. It also sought to reinforce the sector's secure digital infrastructure, further cementing DoH's leadership in harnessing digital health technologies to deliver world-class care.

The exercise involved simulated cyberattack scenarios to assess the readiness of healthcare facilities and enhance their ability to respond effectively to digital incidents. It also tested the robustness of established communication and incident response protocols under cyber threat conditions.

This initiative aligns with the Cyber Security Council's commitment to fostering close collaboration with public sector institutions, reflecting its strategic vision to safeguard the nation's digital infrastructure. As the Council places strong emphasis on empowering all critical sectors, including healthcare, education, energy, and public services, with advanced cyber capabilities to effectively counter increasing digital threats.

Through technical and advisory support and specialised training programmes, the Council works to ensure service continuity and protect national data, thereby bolstering digital resilience and promoting cybersecurity excellence in line with global standards.

Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, praised DoH's sustained efforts to enhance its digital defense capabilities and its commitment to delivering innovative digital services that elevate healthcare quality. He affirmed the Cyber Security Council's readiness to support all government entities through tailored training and programmes, enabling them to keep pace with rapid technological and cybersecurity advancements while ensuring data protection.

Dr. Al Kuwaiti noted that these efforts are essential in safeguarding patient data privacy, enhancing the digital safety skills of healthcare professionals, and empowering them to respond swiftly to information security and treatment file-related challenges.

He emphasised that the Council is dedicated to establishing a strong, secure digital infrastructure across the UAE, embedding cybersecurity as a fundamental component of both institutional and individual culture-fully aligned with the UAE leadership's forward-thinking approach to navigating the challenges of rapid digital transformation.

Held at Bab Al Bahr Hotel in Abu Dhabi, the drill brought together trainees from various DoH-affiliated entities. It focused on evaluating the healthcare sector's preparedness to face growing cyber threats and included an overview of global best practices and practical recommendations to ensure that healthcare institutions are equipped to handle diverse digital risks. The exercise aimed to help maintain the uninterrupted delivery of essential healthcare services, even during cyber incidents.

The drill also featured a detailed presentation of DoH's digital healthcare services, highlighting the importance of implementing advanced and precise protocols to securely store and protect patient data and sensitive information, ensuring the highest levels of confidentiality and privacy. It further included a realistic simulation of the department's Medical Command Operations Centre, demonstrating measures to secure vital health data and ensure the continuity of medical services.

This drill represents a critical step in enhancing cyber resilience in the healthcare sector, which remains a primary target for cyberattacks due to the sensitive nature of the data it holds, data often exploited for identity theft and digital fraud. In light of this, DoH and the Cyber Security Council have developed various risk scenarios designed to equip healthcare institutions with the foresight and tools needed to prepare for ever-evolving cyber threats.

Notably, the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi was the first health regulator in the UAE and the region to launch a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy tailored for the healthcare sector.

As a first-of-its-kind initiative, the strategy serves as a holistic framework that outlines the core principles of Abu Dhabi's approach to safeguarding this critical sector.

It aims to enhance the resilience of healthcare infrastructure against cyber risks through proactive threat anticipation and the implementation of efficient, structured response mechanisms.