As Ajman’s government embraced digital transformation, the Department of Digital Ajman
(DDA) faced an inevitable challenge: balancing the drive for innovation with the need for
robust cybersecurity. In an age where data breaches and cyberattacks are more frequent
and sophisticated than ever, the foundation of their digital services would need to be
secure—without compromise.
“To build trust, we must first secure everything we do. Without cybersecurity, there is no
digital transformation,” says Ali Obaid Ali Almheiri, spokesperson for DDA.
With this principle guiding them, DDA embarked on a journey to fortify their digital
infrastructure and ensure that their services remained reliable, secure, and resilient.
The Need for a Unified, Scalable Infrastructure
Managing an array of government departments with different systems, configurations, and
needs created complexity. Over time, this fragmented approach resulted in gaps in security,
limited visibility, and inefficiencies. DDA needed a solution that could scale and provide
centralized oversight without sacrificing flexibility.
They made a bold decision: they would centralize and streamline their IT infrastructure into a
secure, state-of-the-art private cloud. This platform offered better scalability, improved
management, and provided each department with a single point of control. Now, they could
host critical government workloads in a unified environment—ensuring security and visibility
across all systems.
But the cloud alone wasn’t enough. What DDA needed next was a vigilant, 24/7 defense
against an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape.

The AjmanOne SOC: Real-Time Monitoring and Response
With the private cloud in place, DDA partnered with Help AG to build the AjmanOne Security
Operations Center (SOC). The SOC became the heart of DDA’s cybersecurity operations—a
24/7 hub for real-time monitoring, AI-powered threat detection, and incident response.
“The SOC allowed us to move from reactive firefighting to proactive defense,” says Ali Obaid
Ali Almheiri.
“We could identify threats before they became incidents.”
Equipped with the latest AI-enriched security tools and staffed by a team of experts, the
SOC dramatically improved DDA’s ability to detect, analyze, and respond to emerging
threats. The platform enabled comprehensive visibility across Ajman’s digital infrastructure,
allowing them to rapidly address potential vulnerabilities and mitigate risks before they
impacted operations.
DDA recognized that technology alone wouldn’t be enough to secure their systems. The true
strength of any cybersecurity strategy lies in its people. They invested heavily in building a
skilled, adaptable workforce—ensuring that the team could not only manage the current
security landscape but anticipate future challenges.

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They implemented continuous training programs, fostering a culture of cybersecurity
awareness that permeates the entire organization, from technical staff to leadership.
“Cybersecurity is not just an IT function—it’s a shared responsibility that starts at the top,”
says Ali Obaid Ali Almheiri.
DDA also actively participates in national cybersecurity frameworks developed by the UAE
Cybersecurity Council, ensuring their strategies are aligned with national policies and
industry best practices. This collaboration enables them to stay ahead of evolving threats
while meeting international standards like ISO 27001 and ISO 22301.
As DDA looks ahead, they are mindful of the next wave of technological advancements and
the new risks they may bring. The rise of AI-driven attacks and the eventual impact of
quantum computing have led them to explore forward-thinking solutions to stay one step
ahead of adversaries.
“We know that new threats will emerge, but it’s our preparation—through proactive risk
management and collaboration—that will keep us secure,” says Ali Obaid Ali Almheiri.
“We are always looking ahead and planning for tomorrow’s threats.”
While not all technologies are ready for immediate deployment, DDA has begun planning for
the post-quantum encryption era and other emerging threats. They are laying the
groundwork to ensure their systems can adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape.
Ajman’s cybersecurity journey is a powerful example of how forward-thinking strategies can
create a secure and resilient digital ecosystem. DDA’s investment in cutting-edge
technology, partnerships, and continuous skill development has allowed them to navigate the
challenges of digital transformation with confidence.
Through their work with Help AG and alignment with national initiatives, they have built a
robust security foundation that not only protects their data and infrastructure but also fosters
trust in the services they provide to the public.
“Cyber resilience isn’t just a defense mechanism. It’s what allows us to innovate, serve our
citizens, and build a secure digital future,” says Ali Obaid Ali Almheiri.
In a world where cyber threats are constant and evolving, DDA’s approach shows that true
digital transformation is only possible when it’s built on a foundation of strong, adaptive
cybersecurity.