Hackers gained access to the networks of several US government agencies and about 18,000 other clients of the technology company SolarWinds by hiding malicious code in a software update. Image: Reuters
Hackers gained access to the networks of several US government agencies and about 18,000 other clients of the technology company SolarWinds by hiding malicious code in a software update. Image: Reuters
Hackers gained access to the networks of several US government agencies and about 18,000 other clients of the technology company SolarWinds by hiding malicious code in a software update. Image: Reuters
Hackers gained access to the networks of several US government agencies and about 18,000 other clients of the technology company SolarWinds by hiding malicious code in a software update. Image: Reuter

UAE's HBK DOP forms JV with Israeli partners to develop cybersecurity solutions


Alkesh Sharma
  • English
  • Arabic

The Hamad Bin Khalifa Department of Projects is partnering with a number of Israeli businessmen and Unit 8200, an intelligence division of Israel defence forces, to form a joint venture to develop hi-tech cybersecurity solutions in the UAE.

The agreement will also see a cyber academy being set up in the Emirates, which will train the next generation of cyber analysts and chief information security officers, HBK DOP said in a statement on Wednesday.

“This partnership will strengthen the co-operation between the countries in the fields of cybersecurity and technology … and will contribute to the good relationships,” Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa, founder and chairman of HBK DOP, said.

HBK DOP was founded by Sheikh Hamad to handle project investments and enter into joint venture partnerships that focus on sustainability and job creation.

The Dubai-based entity intends to develop projects in the Middle East, Africa, India, Russia, Central Asia, Hong Kong and Mexico.

Gulf countries' growing digital footprint have increasingly made them a target among cyber criminals.

The average cost of data breaches in the UAE and Saudi Arabia – Arab world’s biggest economies – was $6.53 million in 2020, a 9.4 per cent year-on-year increase, according to a report by IBM Security. This is second only to the US, which has the highest total average cost per data breach of $8.64m.

The common goal of the joint venture is to improve cybersecurity in the UAE and GCC region “in order to have better protection against common threats in the region”, a group of Israeli businessmen, who are part of the agreement, said.

A number of pacts have been signed between the UAE and Israel to foster co-operation in sectors ranging from aviation to finance after they signed the Abraham Accord in September.

The annual exchange of trade between the two countries is expected to reach $4 billion a year, according to Etihad Credit Insurance.

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

Company Profile

Company name: Yeepeey

Started: Soft launch in November, 2020

Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani

Based: Dubai

Industry: E-grocery

Initial investment: $150,000

Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year

Which honey takes your fancy?

Al Ghaf Honey

The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year

Sidr Honey

The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest

Samar Honey

The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments

Key developments

All times UTC 4

Secret Nation: The Hidden Armenians of Turkey
Avedis Hadjian, (IB Tauris)
 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

BULKWHIZ PROFILE

Date started: February 2017

Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: E-commerce 

Size: 50 employees

Funding: approximately $6m

Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

Bert van Marwijk factfile

Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder

Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia

Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands

if you go

The flights

Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Seoul from Dh3,775 return, including taxes

The package

Ski Safari offers a seven-night ski package to Korea, including five nights at the Dragon Valley Hotel in Yongpyong and two nights at Seoul CenterMark hotel, from £720 (Dh3,488) per person, including transfers, based on two travelling in January

The info

Visit www.gokorea.co.uk

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

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Torbal Rayeh Wa Jayeh
Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3

BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE

Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega

Director: Tim Burton

Rating: 3/5