UAE OT Security First Forum Boosts Energy Infrastructure Defence

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Under the patronage of the UAE Cyber Security Council, CSC officially announced the launch of the OT Security First Forum, held on 4 February 2026 at Rosewood Abu Dhabi. The event brought together senior government officials, regulators, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), and leading industry experts to address one of the most pressing priorities of the digital era: protecting Operational Technology (OT) systems that form the backbone of the UAE’s energy and utilities infrastructure.

As the UAE advances its national digital transformation agenda, the growing convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) has reshaped the cybersecurity landscape. This shift has expanded the attack surface for critical national systems, exposing industrial environments to increasingly sophisticated and disruptive cyber threats.

Positioned as the region’s only dedicated platform aligned with national cybersecurity initiatives, OT Security First supports strategic priorities such as advanced OT security frameworks, AI-driven threat automation, and the development of a Cyber Centre of Excellence. The forum also reinforces the UAE’s commitment to strengthening the protection of mission-critical systems and maintaining continuity across essential services.

The forum places a strong focus on safeguarding industrial environments, including Industrial Control Systems (ICS), SCADA networks, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) ecosystems. Discussions and expert sessions centred on key areas such as OT risk management, AI-powered detection and response capabilities, cyber resilience across energy and utilities, supply chain security, regulatory preparedness, and cross-sector coordination between government and industry.

By combining cutting-edge OT security solutions with regional expertise, the OT Security First Forum aims to move beyond awareness-building and enable practical, actionable strategies that can be implemented across the wider ecosystem.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, emphasised that the convergence of IT and OT has dissolved traditional security boundaries, creating an environment where digital threats can directly impact physical operations.

He stated that the forum reflects the UAE’s proactive leadership in shaping global approaches to critical infrastructure protection, while serving as a key platform for collaboration between government and industry to strengthen the energy and utilities sector—an essential pillar of national stability and economic resilience.

He further highlighted that by gathering leading experts and decision-makers in Abu Dhabi, the UAE aims to accelerate the adoption of robust, AI-driven security frameworks, enhancing national resilience against evolving hybrid threats. This effort supports the UAE’s broader ambitions in energy diversification, smart city development, and secure digital integration.

The OT Security First Forum is expected to continue attracting key stakeholders from government bodies, energy producers, utility providers, infrastructure operators, technology innovators, and cybersecurity specialists across the region, positioning the UAE as a leader in building a secure and resilient digital future.

The forum is supported by leading partners and sponsors including Yokogawa, seclab, and Dragos, whose expertise plays a key role in advancing stronger cybersecurity capabilities for critical infrastructure in the UAE and wider region.