Amongst other ME countries, UAE- Bahrain too signed agreement to boost cyber and technical capabilities

Bahrain and the UAE have agreed to enhance their bilateral cooperation in several key areas especially cyber and technical areas and have signed a number of agreements and memorandum of understanding for the same. Apparently, countries in Middle East are taking assistance from their allied partners to cover gap in cyber capabilities.

Apart from UAE-Bahrain’s recent agreement to bolster cyber and technical capabilities various such agreements were sighed. Many Middle Eastern countries have entered into a cyber agreement deal with many countries having strong cyber background to minimise their cyber risk.

For instance, Iran has now joined hands with Russia for cooperation in cybersecurity and information technology which is likely to create new hurdles for the United States and its allies in the Middle East.

Qatar also signed a bilateral agreement with Turkey and with Leonardo, an Italian firm for providing cyber training to Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) for strengthening the resilience of digital infrastructure against potential cyber-attacks and also builds its team of cyber experts to also execute such attacks.

In 2008, the UAE signed a deal with AGT International, a Swiss-based Internet of Things (IoT) company, for a massive security and surveillance systems of its national borders, the Abu Dhabi area and the country’s oil facilities.

In July this year, Morocco and Israel signed the first bilateral cooperation agreement in the field of cybersecurity. Their agreement will allow the establishment of cooperation in research, development and the sharing of information and knowledge. But, it is also looked up as a way to expand Israel’s technology beyond geo-political barriers by private players.

The UAE-Bahrain’s recent agreements were signed during the official visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, to the UAE. He met with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, during the visit.

The two countries have agreed to enhance their bilateral cooperation in related areas; to achieve mutual benefits and the joint objectives of both countries.Their agreements includes cyber security, cyberspace technical cooperation, combating crime, food security, healthcare, climate change, and technical support for upstream industries.

Though, bilateral agreements are signed among Middle East countries for mutual growth and development, it has been observed that enhancing cyber cooperation and advancement of cyber capabilities has been a consistent focus in past few years given the volatile security situation in the region.