Dubai Police have rolled out a high-stakes cybersecurity competition this October, offering Dh223,000 in prizes to attract and inspire the next generation of ethical hackers. The initiative, centered around a Capture the Flag (CTF) challenge, underscores the UAE’s growing commitment to developing cyber talent while marking Cybersecurity Awareness Month with a powerful call to action.
According to Khaleej Times, the competition will be divided into three categories to engage a wide spectrum of participants:
- School students will compete for Dh40,000.
- University students will vie for Dh78,000.
- Cybersecurity professionals will battle for the largest share—Dh95,000.
Registration opens October 1, with online qualifiers running until the end of the month. The finals will take place in person at the Officers’ Club on October 25–26, bringing together the brightest minds in penetration testing and cyber defense. Officials say the goal is to identify skilled individuals who could one day contribute to strengthening the UAE’s security ecosystem.
Beyond the competition, Dubai Police are hosting a broader awareness campaign with dialogue sessions, business showcases, and specialized forums. These initiatives target not only cybersecurity professionals but also students, companies, and the wider public. The approach reflects a holistic strategy to improve cyber hygiene across society, ensuring everyone-from young learners to industry leaders-understands the evolving threat landscape.
A highlight of the campaign is the launch of ecrimehub, a new digital platform designed to help the public learn about online threats and protect themselves against fraud. The platform offers guidance for victims of electronic crimes, an AI-powered assistant for cybersecurity-related queries, and even image analysis tools capable of flagging potentially fraudulent visuals. To keep audiences engaged, the site will host weekly quizzes, with winners revealed on October 30.
Dubai Police’s Protection Centre, traditionally focused on social issues such as bullying, substance abuse, and traffic safety, will also dedicate this month to cybersecurity education-further demonstrating the institution’s pivot toward digital risk awareness.
Why This Matters:
For the UAE and the wider Middle East and Africa region, where rapid digital transformation has increased exposure to cyber threats, such initiatives are crucial. Encouraging ethical hacking talent and empowering organizations to strengthen their defenses can help mitigate risks before malicious actors exploit them.
Sainttly Group Cybersecurity Awareness Initiative:
In alignment with Dubai Police’s campaign, Sainttly Group, through its divisions Saintynet Cybersecurity and Cybercory, is launching a series of cybersecurity awareness seminars across the UAE throughout Cybersecurity Awareness Month. These sessions are designed to support national resilience by targeting universities, schools, private companies, banks, telecom operators, healthcare providers, energy firms, and other strategic organizations delivering tailored awareness and practical guidance to different sectors.
Opportunities for Sponsors:
Are you interested in supporting the Dubai Police initiative and strengthening the UAE’s cybersecurity resilience? Join us as a sponsor and demonstrate your leadership. Cybersecurity vendors, financial institutions, telecoms, energy companies, government agencies, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations stand to gain enhanced visibility, brand trust, and direct engagement with decision-makers by sponsoring these seminars.
10 Recommended Actions for Security Teams:
- Encourage participation in ethical hacking competitions to identify and develop in-house talent.
- Partner with awareness platforms like training.saintynet.com to upskill staff.
- Implement proactive phishing and fraud detection tools for early threat identification.
- Establish clear incident reporting channels to streamline response.
- Use threat simulation (purple teaming) to test and improve defenses.
- Regularly update policies and procedures to reflect evolving compliance needs.
- Protect against third-party risks by auditing vendors’ cybersecurity posture.
- Integrate AI-powered analysis tools to enhance fraud detection.
- Promote cybersecurity awareness across all organizational levels.
- Collaborate with national campaigns and initiatives to align with regional best practices.
To sponsor a seminar or learn more, please contact the Sainttly Group Events Department: events@cybercory.com, sales@sainttly.com.
Conclusion:
With a blend of competition, awareness campaigns, and innovative tools like ecrimehub, Dubai Police are sending a clear message: cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. By investing in local talent and public education, the UAE is taking proactive steps to safeguard its digital future. The Dh223,000 CTF challenge is more than just a contest it is a rallying call for ethical hackers, businesses, and citizens to come together in building a more secure cyberspace.
