Page 14 - Whizmo PR REPORT - May 2025

citizens & residents, beginning in the early stages of education, to actively contribute to the
protection of the national digital infrastructure. The UAE Ministry of Education has integrated
‘digital safety’ into the national school curriculum, emphasizing responsible online behavior, data
protection, and cybersecurity awareness, right from the formative years.
On the other hand, fintech companies are actively investing to champion digital and financial
literacy, not just to ensure compliance, but also to enhance organizational effectiveness.
Equipping both employees and consumers with strong digital skills boosts productivity and
facilitates swift adaptation to technological changes. A classic example is the growing ubiquity of
smart QR-based merchant payments which demand not only technical reliability but also user
awareness of secure digital practices.

Eric Karobia, CEO of Whizmo

Preparing for an evolving threat landscape

What differentiates the UAE’s cybersecurity model is its future-ready orientation. Cybersecurity is
not treated as an afterthought or a periodic upgrade, it is baked into the DNA of the nation’s
digital transformation. Whether in the development of government service automation, national
digital identity initiatives, or the scaling of smart infrastructure, security is not an accessory, it is
an architectural principle.

This vision extends to human capital as well. The UAE is also proactively nurturing the next
generation of cybersecurity professionals through talent development programs, public-private
partnerships, and targeted upskilling efforts. The country’s commitment to cybersecurity is also
translating into measurable economic opportunities. The UAE’s cybersecurity market is projected
to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.50% between 2024 and 2029, reaching a market
valuation of USD 772.30 million by 2029. This growth signals more than just increased spending
and reflects the rising strategic importance of cybersecurity as both a public good and a
commercial imperative.

Khaleej Times