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.
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.
