Lt. Colonel Saeed Mohamed Al Shebli on UAE’s Digital Sovereignty, Quantum Readiness, and the Future of Cyber Resilience
Dubai, UAE, November 7, 2025 — As the digital economy expands at an unprecedented pace, nations worldwide are racing to secure their data and protect their technological independence. In this landscape, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stands out as a pioneer — combining visionary leadership, strategic investment, and innovation-driven policies.
At the heart of this transformation is Lt. Colonel Saeed Mohamed Al Shebli, a respected cybersecurity leader and Deputy Director of the Digital Security Department at the UAE Ministry of Interior, who continues to shape the country’s roadmap for digital sovereignty, AI-driven defense, and quantum preparedness.
Digital Sovereignty — The New Frontier of National Security
In an era where data has become more valuable than oil, digital sovereignty — the ability of a nation to control its digital infrastructure, data, and platforms — has emerged as a critical pillar of national independence.
According to Lt. Colonel Al Shebli, true digital sovereignty extends far beyond building firewalls and deploying encryption. It represents a strategic commitment to national self-reliance in technology and governance.
“Digital sovereignty is not just about technology; it’s about trust and identity,” explains Al Shebli. “When a nation controls its data, infrastructure, and digital assets, it secures the foundation of its independence and safeguards public confidence — the most valuable asset in today’s interconnected world.”
The UAE has taken concrete steps toward achieving this vision. Through national initiatives like the UAE Digital Government Strategy 2025 and the National Cybersecurity Strategy, the country has embedded sovereignty and security into every layer of its digital transformation.
Government institutions now operate on locally managed cloud infrastructures, critical data is hosted under national jurisdiction, and partnerships with Emirati-led tech firms ensure that innovation remains both secure and sustainable.
Preparing for the Quantum Future
While many nations are only beginning to explore the implications of quantum computing, the UAE is already building frameworks to prepare for the quantum revolution.
Lt. Colonel Al Shebli identifies quantum computing as a double-edged sword — a technology with the power to solve problems once deemed impossible but also capable of disrupting today’s cryptographic systems.
“Quantum computing will redefine how we solve complex problems — from drug discovery to climate modeling,” he notes. “But it will also break many of the encryption systems that currently protect our communications and data. The UAE’s vision is to be ready for this shift, not to react to it.”
To that end, the UAE is investing heavily in quantum-safe encryption, post-quantum cryptography research, and academic collaboration through institutions like the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).
These partnerships are fostering an ecosystem where academic research, government strategy, and private innovation align to strengthen national resilience before quantum disruption reaches critical mass.
AI and Automation — The Evolution of Cyber Defense
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the most transformative force in modern cybersecurity. For the UAE, AI is not simply an add-on but a core element of defense architecture.
Lt. Colonel Al Shebli emphasizes that the integration of AI in cyber defense represents a shift from reactive security to predictive intelligence — enabling analysts to anticipate attacks before they occur.
“AI doesn’t replace human expertise,” he clarifies. “It amplifies it. It allows us to see patterns, anticipate breaches, and respond within milliseconds. But human judgment — ethical, strategic, and intuitive — remains at the heart of every decision.”
From AI-driven threat detection systems to machine-learning-based incident response, the UAE has positioned itself at the frontier of automated cyber defense.
Government networks are increasingly supported by predictive analytics tools that detect anomalies and mitigate risks across national critical infrastructure, financial systems, and smart city networks.
Moreover, the UAE’s balanced approach — advancing AI while maintaining ethical governance frameworks — ensures that innovation never comes at the cost of privacy or human rights. This ethical foresight, Al Shebli notes, is what distinguishes the UAE as a global role model in digital trust.
Cyber Resilience Through Public-Private Collaboration
One of Lt. Colonel Al Shebli’s strongest convictions is that cybersecurity is an ecosystem, not an individual effort. In today’s borderless digital landscape, collaboration across government, private industry, academia, and innovators has become the new foundation of resilience.
“Cyber resilience depends less on who owns the system and more on how well we collaborate across it,” he explains. “In the UAE, there’s a shared sense of responsibility — a collective shield that protects our national digital future.”
This collaborative mindset is visible across initiatives like the UAE Cybersecurity Council, which unites ministries, telecom operators, and major enterprises to share intelligence and coordinate responses to emerging threats.
Startups are also playing a vital role, developing AI-powered security solutions and blockchain-based data-integrity platforms that strengthen the country’s cyber ecosystem from the ground up.
The UAE’s open-innovation model encourages knowledge-sharing and joint development projects — ensuring that cybersecurity remains agile, inclusive, and constantly evolving.
GISEC Global 2025 — The Nerve Center of Cyber Innovation
At the core of this collaborative ecosystem lies GISEC Global, the Middle East’s largest and most influential cybersecurity event.
Lt. Colonel Al Shebli describes GISEC not merely as a conference but as a living hub of innovation and global cooperation.
“GISEC Global has evolved into more than an exhibition,” he says. “It’s where experts, entrepreneurs, and policymakers come together to translate vision into action — and where the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global cybersecurity leader.”
The event brings together over 500 international brands, government delegations, and cybersecurity innovators, all focused on shaping the next generation of cyber defense strategies.
Workshops and sessions on AI-driven security, quantum encryption, ethical hacking, and critical infrastructure protection help the UAE and its partners stay several steps ahead in the digital race.
The Road Ahead — From Reactive Defense to Intelligent Resilience
Looking toward the next decade, Lt. Colonel Al Shebli envisions cybersecurity evolving from a reactive defense mechanism to an intelligent, adaptive system that anticipates threats, learns from them, and strengthens itself over time.
“Our goal is not merely to defend but to evolve,” he concludes. “Cybersecurity in the UAE is becoming a catalyst for innovation and economic growth — an enabler of national progress, not just a protective layer.”
This evolution will rely heavily on homegrown talent, startups, and educational initiatives that equip young Emiratis with cutting-edge cyber skills. Programs encouraging ethical hacking, digital forensics, and AI-driven analytics are already reshaping the next generation of cyber professionals.
The UAE’s vision of cyber resilience is thus rooted in three principles:
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Proactive defense — anticipating rather than reacting to threats.
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Collaborative innovation — uniting public and private efforts for shared strength.
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Human empowerment — recognizing people, not machines, as the ultimate line of defense.
About Lt. Colonel Saeed Mohamed Al Shebli
With over 20 years of experience in law enforcement and cybersecurity, Lt. Colonel Saeed Mohamed Al Shebli currently serves as Deputy Director of the Digital Security Department at the UAE Ministry of Interior.
He is also a member of the advisory boards at ADPoly University and Zayed University, where he mentors young professionals in digital safety, cyber ethics, and resilience.
“Technology alone cannot secure an organization,” he reminds. “It is the people — trained, aware, and vigilant — who form the real frontline against cyber threats.”
Lt. Colonel Al Shebli’s leadership reflects the UAE’s broader mission: to build a digitally sovereign, quantum-ready, and AI-empowered nation capable of defending its cyber frontiers while driving innovation for generations to come.
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