Sharjah Launches First Cybersecurity Strategy 2026–2031 to Safeguard Critical Digital Infrastructure
SHARJAH — Sharjah Digital Department (SDD) has officially launched the Sharjah Cybersecurity Strategy 2026–2031, following its formal approval by the Sharjah Executive Council (SEC), marking the emirate's first comprehensive, multi-year cybersecurity roadmap.
Designed under the overarching vision of a "Cyber-Secure Emirate," the five-year framework integrates directly with the Sharjah Digital Transformation Strategy 2026–2028 and aligns with the national digital security directives of the United Arab Emirates.
The strategy adopts a proactive risk-readiness model, embedding multi-layered cyber defense and regulatory compliance from the initial architectural design phase of all government digital initiatives through to operational execution.
The Five Strategic Pillars:
Governance of a Smart and Secure Cyberspace: Establishing unified policies, accountability standards, and digital risk management structures.
Cyber Resilience: Enhancing proactive monitoring, rapid containment, business continuity, and system recovery mechanisms.
Critical Infrastructure Protection: Safeguarding critical operational technologies (OT), government networks, and essential public digital assets.
Partnerships, Cooperation, and Communication: Fostering cross-sector intelligence sharing, public-private alliances, and global collaboration.
Cybersecurity Capabilities: Developing specialized national talent, upskilling technical workforces, and cultivating a community-wide cybersecurity culture.
"The launch of the Sharjah Cybersecurity Strategy 2026–2031 is a strategic step in building Sharjah's digital future; as services and technologies expand, trust, security, and readiness become foundational elements to sustain progress rather than mere responses to risks," Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of the Sharjah Digital Department, said in a statement.
The Sharjah Cyber Security Center (SCSC) will lead the phased five-year implementation and governance oversight, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and submitting regular progress assessments to the Sharjah Executive Council.
