Aswaaq, a Dubai government-owned company and aleading retailer in the emirate, has signed a cyber security agreemnet with the UAE Telecommunication Regulatory Authority’s computer emergency response team (aeCERT).

The MoU details the services and mission of aeCERT and acknowledges the important role of the organization’s advisory and monitoring services in ensuring a safer cyber-security environment for users in the UAE.

As part of its function, aeCERT delivers analysis of global threats, acts as a central point of contact for reporting incidents, and delivers training to constituent organizations, amongst other things.

Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of aswaaq, and Mohammed Nasser Al Ghanim, director general of TRA signed the agreement.

Highlighting the role of aeCERT in promoting public awareness, Al Ghanim said, “Through such agreements, we aim to achieve the goal we have set for the computer emergency response team, and thus the authority will be able to provide its partners, such as aswaaq, with a safe environment to protect its digital data and confidential information from possible attacks.”

Commenting on the partnership, Al Janahi said, 'As the world depends more on digital business communication, it is imperative for companies to protect their data against the piracy of confidential information.'

'We believe that our partnership with aeCERT will help us protect our valuable data, increase our digital activities and broaden the experience of our IT professionals,' he added.

Many of today's cyber attackers are able to quickly come up with new programs to evade standard security programs, moving away from mass emails to micro-distribution of millions of distinct threats.

Jassim Sajwani, director of IT & Administration at aswaaq, admitted that IT departments are facing a severe challenge to protect data and online information from piracy.

“Protecting private information and data systems from possible hacking is a global concern,” said Sajwani. 'We at aswaaq are well aware that partnering with aeCERT will aid us in preventing any trespassing to our files and information.'

'The steps taken by TRA are essential in developing the skills and computer experience of UAE Nationals in order to play a major role in operating and protecting online systems and electronic data,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service