Khalifa University, Cassidian, and Emiraje Systems L.L.C. recently established the Cyber Operations Centre of Excellence. The new centre will be located at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi.

The establishment of the Cyber Operations Centre of Excellence follows on from an agreement signed in 2010. As part of the agreement, Cassidian and Emiraje Systems committed to providing resources and equipment to Khalifa University to support the establishment and operation of the Centre, which in turn will encourage and support the development of intellectual property in the field of cyber operations at the University. The Centre will also enhance research capability in specified cyber technology areas including; networking security, mobility security, cryptology, forensics, and embedded devices such as Industrial Control Systems/SCADA.

Khalifa University Executive Vice President, Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, said: “The new Cyber Operations Centre of Excellence, has been set up to help facilitate advanced research for our PhD and MSc students,  allowing our Khalifa University students to develop new skills which in turn will support the infrastructural security of the UAE.”

He added: “Partnerships like this one with Cassidian and Emiraje Systems will ensure that our students will acquire the necessary skills in terms of both practical and technical know-how to succeed in their careers and to support the national security of the UAE and the security of the region. It is our mission to support the building of the UAE knowledge economy, and through this partnership, we hope to foster innovative research that will uphold the security infrastructure of the UAE. ”

Franz Peraus, Head of Cassidian Middle East, commenting on the new centre said: “As a long-standing specialist in cyber security and supplier of cyber solutions to governments in Europe, Cassidian is delighted to be supporting the development of this key area of development in the UAE. Cyber Security is an essential core capability for any advanced economy, providing protection for the Communications and Information Technology that underpins the well-being and effective governance of modern states such as the UAE.”

He added: “This initiative with Khalifa University is designed to permit effective Transfer of Knowledge to the UAE, to help with the development of indigenous Intellectual Property in the area of Cyber Security, and to facilitate collaboration and information sharing with the wider international community.”

Emiraje Systems Managing Director, Abdulaziz Al Khaili, said: “I see this partnership, which is now entering its concrete and active phase, both as an achievement and as an opportunity. An achievement, because it brings to fruition our joint efforts to establish in the UAE the platform to further develop our local expertise in this technological area which is every day proving more strategic. An opportunity, because the students who will benefit from it may become tomorrow invaluable recruits for Emiraje, whose given mission in developing the sensitive Khalifa University Defense and Security Information Systems of the UAE will more and more require such competencies. This initiative further complements the strong mission and commitment of Emiraje in terms of transfer of knowledge and technologies to the Emirates. On a personal note, I wish to add that it demonstrates the leading role of the venerable Khalifa University in the continuous progress of our education system.”