UAE Cybersecurity Council And e& Partner With AWS To Launch Sovereign Cloud Launchpad
The UAE Sovereign Launchpad, which is powered by AWS, offered by e&, and endorsed by the UAE Cybersecurity Council, paves the way for a new era of public cloud adoption in the UAE that is estimated to add US$181 billion cumulative value to the nation's digital economy by 2033.
The UAE Sovereign Launchpad will run on the AWS Middle East (UAE) Region located within the borders of the UAE. e& will manage and implement customers' security and sovereignty controls aligned with UAE Cloud Security policies. In addition, e& will leverage AWS Outposts, a service that allows customers to extend and run AWS services on premises, to meet customers' specific data residency requirements.
UAE government agencies, along with customers in healthcare, financial services, education, space, oil & gas, and non-profit sectors, can now access the latest AWS cloud technologies, while addressing the data sovereignty requirements of the UAE Cyber Security Council.
UAE public sector and regulated customers can use the UAE Sovereign Launchpad through e& for all workloads except those classified as Secret and Top Secret, combining AWS cloud capabilities, alongside workload management solutions and managed security support provided by e&. This will cover the majority of workloads for organisations in the UAE.
'The UAE Cyber Security Council welcomes the launch of the UAE Sovereign Launchpad and the collaboration between e& and AWS in advancing our nation's digital transformation journey. With the additional security and sovereignty controls designed within the UAE Sovereign Launchpad, the UAE Government and regulated industries can transform and innovate with AWS, while meeting regulatory requirements,' said His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, which spearheads the UAE's cybersecurity regulatory framework.
Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO of e&, said: 'Through AWS's UAE Region and e&'s local expertise, this collaboration demonstrates our commitment to enabling secure cloud solutions that meet the requirements of UAE's government and regulated sectors.
'The launch of the UAE Sovereign Launchpad, which leverages e&'s security expertise and operations, proves that world-class cloud services can operate within national cybersecurity frameworks. Our strategic partnership with AWS continues to exemplify how global cloud innovation can align with national priorities.'
The UAE Sovereign Launchpad is the latest development of a US$1 billion-plus strategic alliance between AWS and e& to fast-track cloud solutions in the Middle East, supporting AI deployment and digital transformation across the region.
AWS is architected to be the most secure cloud infrastructure on which to build, migrate, and manage applications and workloads. This is backed by the trust of millions of customers worldwide, including the most security sensitive organisations like government, healthcare, and financial services. The UAE public sector and regulated customers will now have access to the latest digital technologies, such as AI and machine learning, while addressing their data sovereignty requirements through the UAE Sovereign Launchpad.
'Our collaboration with e& the UAE Cybersecurity Council represents the perfect synergy of secure global cloud innovation and local expertise, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to supporting the 'We the UAE 2031' vision,' said Tanuja Randery, vice president, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, AWS. 'Security is foundational to sovereignty, and we believe it's essential that customers have control over their data and choices for how they secure and manage their data in the cloud. By combining our world-class cloud capabilities with e&'s deep understanding of UAE's regulatory landscape, we've developed solutions that serve UAE's digital transformation while maintaining the required data protection standards.'
UAE Cybersecurity Technology Innovation Bureau
AWS, UAE Cybersecurity Council, and e& also plan to create the UAE Cybersecurity Technology Innovation Bureau (CTIB). The CTIB aims to advance 'Made in UAE' cybersecurity innovations, strengthening the UAE's global leading position at the forefront of cyber resilience and elevating the nation's digital capacity building in secure-by-design cloud-computing infrastructure. 'The UAE CTIB reflects the constant efforts made by the UAE in the field of cybersecurity and is a result of the directions and visions of the country's wise leadership,' added Dr. Al-Kuwaiti. 'Through the UAE CTIB, we plan to develop an annual programme of training workshops, national and international partnerships, start-up incubations, reports and whitepapers, along with strategic R&D and academic collaborations, to accelerate the UAE's digital transformation and cyber pulse agenda.' 0 0
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Business
3 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Dubai to Fujairah: Sheikh Mohammed rides Etihad Rail ahead of 2026 launch
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, reviewed the latest progress of the Etihad Rail project and embarked on a passenger train journey from Dubai to Fujairah, signaling a historic milestone for the UAE's national railway network. Read- The symbolic journey marks a pivotal phase in the development of the country's integrated rail system, with commercial operations of passenger services expected to begin in 2026. Sheikh Mohammed's visit highlights his personal commitment to overseeing strategic infrastructure initiatives that align with the UAE's long-term national development goals. A vision of integration and growth In remarks during the visit, Sheikh Mohammed described Etihad Rail as one of the UAE's most transformative infrastructure projects, bringing broad economic, social, and developmental benefits. Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Website 'Etihad Rail is a vital economic artery that supports the UAE's journey to the future,' he said. 'It is a key pillar in our vision to build an integrated transport network that strengthens the UAE's position as a leading logistics hub, while facilitating the movement of people and goods.' He emphasised that the project embodies the spirit of the Union and reflects national aspirations for sustainability, connectivity, and improved quality of life across all seven emirates. Sheikh Mohammed also praised the efforts of the Etihad Rail team, calling their work a source of national pride and a key contribution to the country's future-oriented, sustainable transport system. During the visit, he received a detailed briefing from Etihad Rail engineers and officials on project progress and upcoming milestones. Team members expressed their gratitude for the leadership's continued support and described the visit as a historic moment, reinforcing their dedication to delivering a world-class rail network. Connecting the emirates, empowering communities The passenger train connecting Dubai and Fujairah is part of the broader Etihad Rail vision to link 11 cities and regions across the country, from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah on the east coast. Once completed, the network will provide a safe, sustainable, and advanced mode of transportation for citizens, residents, and visitors. Passenger trains will operate at speeds of up to 200 km/h and are expected to accommodate up to 400 passengers per trip. By 2030, the system is projected to carry 36.5 million passengers annually. The first four passenger stations will be located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah, with further expansion planned across the network. These strategically located hubs aim to reduce travel time, improve accessibility, and boost social and economic ties between communities. The rail system also promises to enhance everyday mobility, empower local economies, and serve as a catalyst for tourism, trade, and sustainable development throughout the country. Leadership endorsement of a national priority Sheikh Mohammed was welcomed at the station by a delegation from Etihad Rail, led by Saeed AlAhbabi, Chief Business Support Officer, along with several senior company executives. Commenting on the visit, Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail, emphasised the leadership's role in advancing this national priority. 'We had the honour of hosting Sheik Mohammed aboard a passenger train between Dubai and Fujairah,' Sheikh Theyab said. 'His visit demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the UAE's leadership to support transformative national projects that propel our nation forward.' He noted that Sheikh Mohammed has been an integral part of the journey from the launch of the 'Projects of the 50' initiative in 2021, to the full inauguration of the national freight rail network in 2023. 'Today, we stand on the cusp of a transformative era in transportation and take immense pride in the leadership's support for a project that strengthens connectivity and enhances the UAE's global competitiveness.' Pioneering sustainable infrastructure Etihad Rail continues to advance its passenger service preparations with high standards of operational readiness and safety. Each train will offer a modern, integrated travel experience built around comfort, reliability, and sustainability. The network also reinforces the UAE's growing reputation as a regional leader in transport innovation. The national railway is central to the UAE's broader environmental goals, supporting the country's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. As both a freight and passenger network, Etihad Rail plays a critical role in reducing carbon emissions, lowering traffic congestion, and promoting green alternatives to road travel. The railway is already fully operational for freight, connecting industrial zones and key logistics hubs across the country. The addition of passenger services will complete a vital link in the UAE's transport ecosystem, driving economic integration and improving quality of life nationwide. As the UAE prepares for commercial operations to begin in 2026, the Etihad Rail project stands as a testament to national unity, forward-looking leadership, and a shared vision for a connected, sustainable future.
Gulf Today
4 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Iraq's PM launches gas power plant
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani launched on Saturday the construction works for the first phase of the Second Beiji Gas Power Plant in Salah al-Din Province, with a total capacity of 1,014 megawatts. The Iraqi News Agency (INA) quoted a statement from the Media Office of the Prime Minister, in which Al-Sudani commended the efforts made to prepare for the launch of this vital project, affirming that the energy sector is a cornerstone of any comprehensive development plan. He explained that the government has allocated the necessary financial resources to develop all sectors of electricity—generation, transmission, and distribution—in order to improve energy production across all regions of the country. The project will be implemented by a consortium of Siemens Energy (Germany) and CSCEC (China). The contract includes the rehabilitation of six Siemens gas generation units, each with a capacity of 169 megawatts, for a total capacity of 1,014 megawatts. It also includes the establishment of a load dispatching network consisting of seven circuits at 400 kilovolts, which will feed six lines into the national grid, as well as the construction of a new 132-kilovolt network comprising 16 lines to serve Salah al-Din Province. The first two units are scheduled to be operational within 27 months, followed by the remaining units at a rate of one unit every two months. In April, Mohammed Al-Sudani laid the foundation stone for a giant power plant in the southern Iraqi province of Dhi Qar. With a planned capacity of around 921 megawatts, the new power plant will run on natural gas, with the potential to eventually implement hydrogen mixing technology. The project, which is being carried out by German-based Siemens next to the Nasiriyah Thermal Power Station, is a significant project that will raise the standard of energy supply in Iraq's national grid. Agencies
Crypto Insight
5 hours ago
- Crypto Insight
Crypto exchange Gate launches spot trading services in the US
Crypto exchange Gate is launching in the United States, offering spot trading services to US customers for the first time. Founded in 2013 by Chinese scientist Lin Han, the company cited improved regulatory clarity in the country as the reason behind the move. According to Gate, it will initially offer crypto trading pairs for US customers, with upcoming services for fiat on- and off-ramps and support for custodial wallets. As of July 24, the exchange offered over 3,800 trading pairs on its platform, one of the largest asset varieties in the market. Spot trading volume on Gate reached $6.8 billion in the past 24-hours, according to CoinMarketCap. 'As a strategic hub in the global crypto landscape, the United States has long held a significant position in areas such as digital finance regulation, technological innovation, and capital market development, attracting major crypto platforms from around the world,' the company said in a statement. The move comes as crypto exchanges are reentering the United States amid increased regulatory clarity. After President Trump promised to make the US 'the world capital of crypto,' lawmakers have introduced bills aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for digital assets, including the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act. More crypto exchanges enter the United States Crypto exchange OKX reentered the market in April 2025 following a $505 million settlement with the US Department of Justice. The company is reportedly considering a initial public offering in the country. was also rumored to restart services to customers. According to Chainalysis, the United States' crypto markets stand out globally by a wide margin. Between July 2023 and June 2024, the country received over $750 billion in crypto value, dwarfing other top countries like the United Kingdom and Russia. According to 28% of American adults, or around 65 million people, owned crypto in 2025, and 14% of Americans who don't own crypto plan to buy some in 2025, while 67% of current holders plan more purchases. Bitcoin is the most commonly owned cryptocurrency, followed by Ether. Source:
