The UAE National Cyber Security Council (NCSC) has launched the first phase of the “National Bug Bounty Program,” which aims to improve the UAE’s cybersecurity systems, reinforce the country’s leading position in global competitiveness indexes, and engage community members, public and private sector entities in infrastructure protection.
The NCSC announced that the initiative will be launched by the telecoms industry, in collaboration with Etisalat and Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).
In keeping with the country’s leadership instructions, the program aims to develop a cybersecurity culture and defend the country’s digital transformation and overall achievements. The national program was initiated by the council to provide the highest levels of safety and security for critical national infrastructure in all areas, including energy, telecommunications, and defense.
The collaboration is a result of the sector’s critical role as a main line of defense in cybersecurity. To better protect against cyber-attacks, the UAE can use the initiative to recruit the services of competent worldwide security researchers in an incentive-based program for cybersecurity penetration testing and vulnerability discovery.