CyberShield NG

Abu Dhabi Customs created CyberShield NG, a next-generation cyber defence capability that moves security operations from fragmented, reactive monitoring to an integrated, intelligence-led model. The innovation connects Abu Dhabi Customs’ Security Operations Center with the Department of Government Enablement Government Security Operations Center, enabling 24/7 monitoring, real-time log visibility and coordinated incident response across a wider government security ecosystem.
CyberShield NG combines endpoint and identity threat detection, security information and event management, artificial-intelligence-driven analytics, cloud email protection and container workload security. AI-supported email controls scan inbound and outbound communications for phishing, malicious attachments, suspicious links and other email-borne threats. Container security extends visibility into on-premises OpenShift and Kubernetes environments, including workload behaviour and east-west communications between nodes, pods and containers.
The technology is reinforced by governance and continuous improvement. A Security Boosting Program assesses technical controls and governance practices across the environment, while a Security Orchestration, Automation and Response roadmap is establishing the foundation for standardized playbooks, automated enrichment and faster containment. Identity protection and zero-trust-aligned access governance strengthen resilience against identity-based attacks.
The initiative also received external recognition through the Middle East Technology Excellence Awards 2025 - Cybersecurity, GOVMedia 2025 - Cybersecurity Initiative of the Year, the Harvard Business Council 2025 Project Award for the Elite SOC Implementation Initiative, and first place in the SIRAJ Award for information-security development and protection. Together, these results show that CyberShield NG is not a single tool, but a scalable operating model that combines people, process, technology and government collaboration to protect critical customs services and strengthen digital trust.
Demonstrated impact:
• 24/7 monitoring and real-time log visibility are stated outcomes of the GSOC integration.
• Cybersecurity compliance maturity improved from 91% in Q4 2025 to 95% in Q1 2026.
• An exposure-management dashboard records 100% monitoring coverage for 60/60 assets represented in that dashboard.
• Internal records report zero operational downtime due to cyber incidents; this claim should be submitted only with the KPI extract or approved report attached.
• Risk-management material records 99.97% IT system availability and 100% success in disaster-recovery drills