Visa and UAE Cyber Security Council Partner to Bolster National Digital Defense

The UAE Cyber Security Council and Visa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a framework for cybersecurity knowledge sharing and skills development. For fintech professionals, this partnership highlights the increasing necessity of public-private collaboration to secure national digital payment infrastructures against sophisticated and evolving global cyber threats.

What was announced

The agreement was finalized during a ceremony held on the sidelines of the Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC) in Dubai. Signed by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti and Joanne Kubba, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA) at Visa, the MoU outlines a comprehensive capacity-building program designed to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of UAE government entities. Under the terms of the agreement, government employees nominated by the UAE Cyber Security Council will participate in specialized training through Visa University, the payment giant’s global learning and certification platform.

Specifically, these individuals will undertake the Payments Cybersecurity I and Payments Cybersecurity II courses. Upon completion, participants will sit for the Visa Payments Cybersecurity Certification examination. The curriculum is tailored to provide industry-focused education in payments cybersecurity, risk management, and digital commerce. By focusing on these areas, the program aims to equip the public sector with the practical skills required to identify and mitigate evolving threats within the payments ecosystem. Beyond education, the MoU establishes a formal channel for information exchange, allowing both parties to share expertise and data regarding the current threat landscape. This collaborative framework is intended to support the UAE’s broader digital transformation by ensuring that the underlying infrastructure remains resilient against cyberattacks.

"Our government's digital transformation depends on a skilled, well-prepared workforce able to safeguard the systems and services citizens rely on. This MoU with Visa reflects our commitment to building practical cybersecurity capabilities within government, and we look forward to our nominated employees benefiting from Visa's specialized training and certification programme."

His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for UAE Government.

The companies involved

Visa is a global leader in digital payments, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: V). The company facilitates transactions across more than 200 countries and territories, connecting consumers, merchants, and financial institutions. With a massive footprint in the Middle East, Visa often leverages its global network to provide consulting and analytics services to regional partners. The company’s mission centers on connecting the world through secure and reliable payment networks, viewing access as a foundational element for the future of money movement. The UAE Cyber Security Council was established by the UAE Cabinet in November 2020. Its mandate is to develop a comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy and ensure the safety of the country’s digital infrastructure. Led by the Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, the Council plays a critical role in shaping the nation’s legal and regulatory frameworks for both current and emerging technologies. Beyond regulation, the Council is tasked with fostering a vibrant cyber ecosystem by collaborating with industry leaders, academia, and international cyber diplomacy. This partnership with Visa aligns with its broader mission to pioneer awareness and capacity development initiatives that protect the UAE populace while driving economic growth through secure innovation.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has tracked Visa’s extensive activity in the region and its broader technological partnerships. Recently, we covered how Visa Scores Regional Partnership with LALIGA to Drive Fan Engagement Across MENA, demonstrating the company's focus on consumer interaction in the Middle East. On the technical side, The ai Corporation and Visa Partner to Revolutionize European Fleet and EV Payments highlights the firm's commitment to modernizing payment rails. Additionally, our reporting on the wider ecosystem includes dtcpay Secures $25M Series A to Scale Global Stablecoin Payment Infrastructure and how FMPay Combines API-Led Payments with Human Risk Experts for Mid-Market Fintechs, both of which underscore the growing intersection of payment security and infrastructure scaling. These stories reflect a market where security is no longer a back-office function but a core component of commercial strategy.

What this means

This move signals a shift where national security and payment network security are becoming indistinguishable. By integrating Visa’s proprietary training into government workflows, the UAE is effectively setting a high bar for the rest of the GCC. This puts pressure on local financial institutions to ensure their internal standards match the government’s newly bolstered expertise. The announcement raises questions about how other global payment networks will respond to maintain their influence in sovereign security strategies. Ultimately, the success of this initiative will be measured by whether it can reduce the latency between the emergence of new payment exploits and the implementation of state-level countermeasures. For the fintech sector, this establishes a precedent for public-private intelligence sharing that could become the global standard.