UAE Cyber Security Council, Abu Dhabi DoH boost cyber resilience in healthcare

In a world where cyberattacks are no longer a matter of if but when, Abu Dhabi's Department of Health (DoH) is rolling up its sleeves and getting serious. Partnering with the UAE Cyber Security Council, DoH recently ran a full-scale cybersecurity drill — part bootcamp, part reality check — to test how well its healthcare institutions can hold the digital line.

Held at the Bab Al Bahr Hotel, this was a pressure-cooker simulation of real-world cyberattacks, engineered to gauge just how ready — or not — Abu Dhabi's healthcare system is for what's lurking out there in cyberspace.

As Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, the UAE's Head of Cybersecurity, put it: "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."

How did it work?

The simulation mimicked cyberattacks targeting hospitals and clinics to see how fast and effectively staff could respond. Picture an emergency room, but for data.

Key features included:

• Attack scenarios that tested digital defense under fire
• Incident response drills, evaluating coordination between teams
• Communication stress tests, to see how well departments kept calm and connected
• A walkthrough of global best practices for shielding sensitive health data

Trainees were immersed in lifelike crisis situations using the Medical Command Operations Centre model. They rehearsed what it takes to protect critical patient records — data that, if breached, can fuel everything from identity theft to insurance fraud.

Why does it matter?

Healthcare is a prime target for cybercriminals. It holds some of the most sensitive, personal data there is. When a hospital goes dark digitally, it's not just about systems going down — it's lives put at risk.

Here's why this drill matters:

• Patient data privacy isn't optional — it's sacred
• Cyberattacks on hospitals can shut down operations in seconds
• Proactive defense training builds muscle memory for real-world threats
• Every breach averted keeps trust in the healthcare system intact

And as Dr. Al Kuwaiti reminded us: "The Council is dedicated to embedding cybersecurity as a fundamental component of both institutional and individual culture."

Moreover, this isn't just about IT departments. It's about making sure everyone in the healthcare system — nurses, admin staff, doctors — is fluent in digital survival.

The context

The UAE Cyber Security Council is on a mission to toughen up the nation's entire digital backbone — public health, energy, education, you name it. And DoH has been ahead of the pack. In fact, it was the first health regulator in the region to launch a dedicated cybersecurity strategy for healthcare.

That strategy is a full-bodied framework with:

• Threat anticipation protocols
• Real-time response blueprints
• Standards aligned with global cybersecurity excellence

The Council also throws its weight behind healthcare providers through:

• Specialized training programs
• Technical and advisory support
• Risk scenario planning tailored to the region's evolving threats

In a nutshell, this joint effort isn't just a one-off. It's part of a larger playbook to keep healthcare resilient, come what may.

So, while cybercriminals keep upping their game, the UAE's healthcare system is proving it knows how to fight smart — and fight back.