Dubai: DIFC Academy, the education platform of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region, has partnered with Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) to offer professionals and organizations with the knowledge and tools necessary to address the most significant cybersecurity challenges affecting small businesses.
Additionally, by working together, small companies will get practical approaches to lower the cyber risks associated with conducting any part of their operations online or through email.
With over 5,500 active registered companies and 41,500 professionals at DIFC, the collaboration between DIFC Academy and GCA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making the Internet a safer place by reducing cyber risk, comes in the backdrop of studies that reveal the continued risks from cyber threats in the UAE.
Research by the Middle East Institute reveals that the UAE deterred more than 71 million cyber attacks in the first three quarters of 2023. The joint initiative between DIFC Academy and GCA and will bring valuable and free cybersecurity resources to the region’s small business and entrepreneur community.
Under the partnership, the GCA Cybersecurity Toolkit for Small Business, sponsored by Mastercard, will be available from the DIFC Academy’s School of Future Skills. The DIFC Academy provides a comprehensive hub of knowledge, learning solutions, and excellence for the community, to not only develop today’s professional workforce but also nurture tomorrow’s talent.
Christian Kunz, Chief Strategy, Innovation & Ventures Officer at DIFC Authority, remarked that, “We are thrilled to embark on this collaborative journey with Global Cyber Alliance, uniting expertise to empower the next generation of cybersecurity leaders in DIFC and the wider UAE. Together, we aim to shape a resilient digital future through knowledge, innovation, and shared commitment to cyber excellence.”
“At DIFC Academy’s School of Future Skills, our mission aligns seamlessly with Global Cyber Alliance’s vision for a secure digital landscape, amplifying our commitment to equipping learners with cutting-edge cybersecurity skills, fostering a community of professionals and businesses ready to navigate and safeguard the evolving digital frontier,” Kunz added.