On 19 August 2025, First Abu Dhabi Bank Misr (FABMISR) announced the launch of its new Identity and Access Management (IAM) platform in partnership with Hemaya Information Technology, making it one of Egypt’s first banks to fully align with the Central Bank of Egypt’s cybersecurity framework. The move marks a major step toward secure digital transformation, enhanced compliance, and customer trust.
FABMISR’s IAM rollout is directly tied to its compliance with the Central Bank of Egypt’s Cybersecurity Framework, a set of standards introduced to elevate the resilience of the country’s banking sector against rising cyber threats. The new platform, powered by SailPoint IIQ, automates identity governance, enforces access control, and improves monitoring across critical banking systems.
Two-Phase Rollout
The implementation is structured in two stages:
- Phase One: Integrated five core applications essential to banking operations.
- Phase Two (in progress): Will extend coverage to five additional systems, strengthening protection across FABMISR’s digital ecosystem.
This approach allows the bank to balance speed with security, ensuring that risks are mitigated while operations remain stable.
Voices from Leadership
In announcing the initiative, Mohamed Abbas Fayed, CEO and Managing Director of FABMISR, emphasized the human and operational impact:
“The deployment of the IAM tool in collaboration with our strategic partner Hemaya IT marks a major milestone in FABMISR’s journey toward secure digital transformation and full alignment with the Central Bank of Egypt’s cybersecurity framework. Automating access reviews for more than 3,200 employees significantly strengthens governance, streamlines compliance procedures, and reinforces our clients’ trust in the digital environment.”
From Hemaya IT, Gen. Saeed Ibrahim, CEO, highlighted the broader significance:
“This project with FABMISR is a milestone for both cybersecurity and Egypt’s digital banking transformation. It enhances the security of financial transactions and builds greater confidence in digital banking, aligning with global standards and the Central Bank of Egypt’s regulatory vision. With over 85% of Egypt’s banks relying on Hemaya’s expertise, we are proud to deliver such complex, high-impact implementations.”
Why It Matters: Cybersecurity and Digital Banking in MEA
A First for Egypt’s Banking Sector
By adopting IAM at an advanced level, FABMISR joins the leading edge of Egyptian banks reinforcing digital governance. This development strengthens the financial sector’s preparedness against risks such as insider threats, credential misuse, and unauthorized access to sensitive systems.
Regional Context
Across the Middle East and Africa, financial institutions are under regulatory pressure to bolster cybersecurity maturity. Egypt’s Central Bank framework echoes similar regulations in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and South Africa, aiming to ensure that banks meet international benchmarks. FABMISR’s move positions it as a model for other banks in the region.
Global Comparison
Globally, IAM deployments are no longer optional. The financial sector is one of the most targeted by ransomware, phishing, and insider threats. FABMISR’s initiative aligns with a growing global trend where banks integrate IAM platforms to reduce operational risk and enhance customer trust.
Technical and Governance Impact
The SailPoint IIQ solution enables:
- Automated Access Rights Management: Reducing human error and manual workload.
- Improved Monitoring: Ensuring visibility into user activities and anomalies.
- Streamlined Compliance: Automated reviews align with regulatory reporting requirements.
- Identity Lifecycle Management: From onboarding to offboarding, ensuring every access right is governed.
By integrating IAM into governance, FABMISR is mitigating evolving cyber threats while securing customer data and protecting the digital workplace.
Actionable Takeaways for CISOs and Executives
- Align IAM strategy with regulatory frameworks such as Egypt’s Central Bank guidelines.
- Automate access governance to reduce risks of human error and insider threats.
- Implement phased rollouts to balance security upgrades with business continuity.
- Audit and review employee access regularly for compliance and risk detection.
- Prioritize privileged account management, ensuring elevated rights are tightly controlled.
- Leverage partnerships with regional IT leaders to enhance implementation success.
- Invest in awareness and training for staff to strengthen overall security culture.
- Adopt scalable IAM solutions that can integrate with future systems and applications.
Conclusion
FABMISR’s IAM deployment marks a milestone in Egypt’s journey toward robust cybersecurity and secure digital banking. By aligning with the Central Bank of Egypt’s framework and leveraging Hemaya IT’s expertise, the bank is setting new benchmarks in identity governance and compliance. As Egypt and the wider MEA region continue to digitize financial services, this initiative highlights how proactive investment in identity and access management is critical for safeguarding both customer trust and national financial stability.
