Abu Dhabi: The UAE Cybersecurity Council (CSC) has released the nation's first comprehensive Drone Cybersecurity Guidelines following a strategic partnership with Reach Digital, a subsidiary of Reach Group, and Shieldworkz, a cybersecurity firm specializing in operational technology (OT), the Internet of Things (IoT), and drone protection.

This initiative is a key component of the UAE's vision to bolster national resilience against cyber threats, facilitate secure digital transformation, and establish the country as a global hub for innovation and technology.

Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of UAE Cybersecurity, expressed that the guidelines represent a significant advancement in enhancing the nation's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) ecosystem, with an emphasis on ensuring that drone operations across government, commercial, and industrial sectors are robust, secure, and in line with global best practices.

He noted that with the increasing deployment of UAVs in various sectors, including agriculture, environmental monitoring, and logistics, addressing cybersecurity risks has become imperative to protect airspace and infrastructure, as well as data integrity.

Malik Melhem, CEO of Reach Group, affirmed that this collaboration demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing the UAE's digital and cybersecurity infrastructure.

He highlighted the importance of aligning with the CSC and providing practical, scalable cybersecurity solutions tailored for the drone sector.

Mohammad Khaled, Vice President of Growth and Business Transformation at Reach Group, stated that the development of these guidelines reinforces the UAE's leadership in securing emerging technologies, fostering safe drone innovation while addressing escalating cybersecurity risks within national airspace and infrastructure.

In a separate announcement, the UAE Ministry of Interior (MOI) has scheduled a temporary suspension of its official smart application, MOI UAE (moiuae), from 6 am to 12 am on May 18 due to system upgrades.

This app facilitates access to traffic, police, civil defense, and various other public-related services.

During the upgrade, essential services will still be accessible via the MOI's official website.

The ministry also reported that the Hemayati app, aimed at enhancing child safety and allowing parents to monitor their children's locations, will face interruptions during the same timeframe.

This app, launched in 2028, includes features for reporting child abuse.

A new version of the MOI UAE app, released concurrently, offers users access to 50 different government services, including the ‘Bin Wariqa Service’ designed to expedite emergency responses.

In another development, the Abu Dhabi Police have initiated a campaign focusing on pedestrian safety as part of the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week.

This campaign, themed “#MakeWalkingSafe #MakeCyclingSafe,” is aligned with the emirate’s vision of fostering a safe and sustainable transport environment.

The campaign aims to promote responsible driver behavior at pedestrian crossings, emphasizing the legal requirement for motorists to stop for individuals at marked crossings.

Abu Dhabi Police have released real-life videos illustrating traffic violations and the appropriate way to yield to pedestrians.

Penalties for failing to stop at pedestrian crossings can reach up to AED 10,000, with Article 5 of the Federal Traffic Law mandating drivers to yield at crossings, particularly near schools and hospitals.

Additionally, penalties for jaywalking are set at AED 400, and more severe fines or imprisonment apply for violations on roads with speed limits over AED 80.

Updates to pedestrian safety regulations now include specific guidelines for users of personal mobility devices such as bicycles and e-scooters, reinforcing the necessity to cross only at designated areas.

Brigadier General Mahmoud Youssef Al Baloushi highlighted that road safety is a collective responsibility, urging both pedestrians and motorists to adhere to regulations to ensure community safety.

Finally, in a technological advancement, the Dubai Police have launched a virtual training patrol, named ‘Ghayath,’ aimed at elevating the competency and preparedness of police officers through realistic training simulations.

This initiative signifies a move towards integrating artificial intelligence and modern technology into law enforcement practices.

Memos of understanding have also been signed by Dubai Police in areas including economic crime and digital health awareness as part of ongoing collaborations to enhance security and public safety.