Microsoft, the UAE Cyber Security Council and Core42 have announced plans to deploy Microsoft’s artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cyber security platform, MDASH, across UAE government entities to strengthen national cyber resilience and accelerate the adoption of secure AI technologies across the public sector.
The initiative will see the three organisations collaborate on the phased implementation of MDASH, an AI-driven cyber security capability designed to help security teams identify vulnerabilities, prioritise risks and improve security posture through automated analysis and advanced AI models.
The deployment represents the latest step in a broader strategic partnership between Microsoft, Core42 and the UAE government, which has already seen significant investments in sovereign cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence and cyber security capabilities across the country.
According to the organisations, the collaboration aims to give government entities enhanced tools to defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats while supporting the UAE’s wider ambitions to build one of the world’s most advanced and trusted digital ecosystems.
“Code safety is a national priority and a cornerstone of cyber resilience,” said Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, head of cyber security for the UAE government. “As AI becomes integral to government and critical services, securing the code that underpins these systems must be built in from the outset, not treated as an afterthought. Bringing MDASH capabilities to the UAE is a major catalyst for wider adoption of AI-powered code security across government and our national digital ecosystem.”
Under the proposed framework, the Cyber Security Council will support the adoption and responsible use of AI-powered cyber security technologies through the UAE’s National AI Test and Validation Lab, helping government entities evaluate and implement emerging cyber defence capabilities.
Core42, a G42 company and Microsoft’s sovereign cloud partner in the UAE, will provide onboarding, implementation and capacity-building services through its Sovereign Public Cloud offering. The company will also support participating organisations with integration services and operational guidance focused on security, privacy and resilience requirements.
The initiative builds on the strategic relationship between Microsoft and G42, one of the most significant AI partnerships in the region. Earlier investments between the two organisations included Microsoft’s multi-billion-dollar strategic investment in G42, designed to accelerate AI development and cloud adoption across the UAE and wider Middle East.
The partnership has already resulted in the launch of sovereign cloud and AI services designed to meet local data residency, privacy and regulatory requirements, enabling government and regulated-sector organisations to deploy advanced AI technologies while maintaining operational control over sensitive data.
“Governments around the world are increasingly looking to AI as a force multiplier to protect the nation, its critical assets and people,” said Hayete Gallot, executive vice-president of security and emerging technologies at Microsoft. “AI can be a powerful tool for cyber security. Together with the UAE Cyber Security Council and Core42, we will help government organisations strengthen resilience, improve cyber readiness and build capacity for emerging threats.”
The deployment of MDASH also aligns with Microsoft’s broader cyber security investments in the region. Over the past several years, the company has expanded its cloud footprint in the UAE while increasing investments in AI, security services and digital-skills programmes aimed at supporting both public- and private-sector organisations.
For Core42, the initiative further reinforces its role as a key enabler of sovereign AI and cloud infrastructure across the UAE. The company has been central to several national AI initiatives and has worked closely with government organisations to deliver secure cloud environments that can support large-scale AI workloads.
“The UAE has made a deliberate choice to lead in AI adoption,” said Talal M Al Kaissi, CEO of Core42. “This collaboration combines world-class AI security capabilities with sovereign infrastructure and local expertise, giving government entities access to advanced cyber defence capabilities while keeping security, privacy and operational control at the centre.”
The roll-out is expected to begin with awareness sessions, pilot programmes, technical workshops and onboarding activities for participating government entities before expanding more broadly across the public sector. The partnership aims to help government organisations strengthen protection of critical services, improve trust in digital systems and prepare for the next generation of cyber threats.
