- Microsoft, the UAE Cyber Security Council and Core42 planned to deploy MDASH across UAE government entities
- The initiative combines AI-powered cybersecurity analysis with sovereign cloud infrastructure
- A phased rollout will include awareness sessions, pilots, technical workshops and onboarding
Microsoft, the United Arab Emirates Cyber Security Council, or UAE CSC, and Core42 have announced plans to deploy Microsoft’s MDASH artificial intelligence-powered cybersecurity capability across UAE government entities.
What Is the MDASH Initiative in the UAE?
Microsoft said Wednesday that the collaboration is designed to strengthen national cyber resilience, support secure digital transformation, and equip government organizations with advanced cybersecurity capabilities to respond more quickly to evolving cyber threats.
UAE Head of Cyber Security Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti said the initiative underscores the importance of securing software code as AI becomes increasingly integrated into government systems and critical services. He said the deployment of MDASH could help expand AI-powered code security across government and the UAE’s broader digital ecosystem.
The announcement follows Microsoft’s recent introduction of MDASH in September, with preview access available to select U.S. government customers and authorized partners. The company said MDASH is designed to help government organizations identify subtle software vulnerabilities across complex codebases and address them proactively.
How Will the Organizations Support MDASH Deployment?
Under the proposed collaboration, the UAE CSC’s contribution will run through the country’s National AI Test and Validation Lab, which the council will use to guide agencies toward responsible, well-governed AI adoption in their cybersecurity work.
For its part, Core42 will handle much of the hands-on rollout — getting agencies onboarded, helping implement the system and building up their internal capacity — all delivered through the sovereign public cloud platform it operates jointly with Microsoft. Core42 is also bringing its own regional know-how into the project, plugging MDASH into the sovereign controls framework it already has in place.
Rollout will happen in stages: government entities will first go through awareness briefings, then move into pilots and technical workshops before full onboarding.
How Does the Partnership Fit Microsoft and Core42’s Government Technology Strategies?
The planned UAE deployment builds on broader efforts by Microsoft and Core42 to support government adoption of secure AI, cloud and cybersecurity technologies.
In May 2026, Core42 partnered with Red Hat to deliver sovereign cloud and AI infrastructure for government, defense and regulated organizations in the UAE. The collaboration combines Red Hat’s open hybrid cloud technologies with Core42’s sovereign cloud infrastructure, with an emphasis on jurisdictional control, regulatory compliance and operational resilience.
Microsoft has also pursued government-focused digital resilience partnerships in other markets. In June 2026, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Australian government covering cybersecurity, AI adoption, cloud infrastructure and critical infrastructure protection. The agreement established a framework for cooperation on cyber priorities, emerging risks and secure digital infrastructure.
What Are Executives Saying About the Collaboration?
Microsoft Executive Vice President of Security and Emerging Technologies, Hayete Gallot, said governments are increasingly turning to AI to strengthen the protection of critical assets and services. She said the collaboration is intended to improve cyber resilience, enhance government readiness and build capacity to address emerging threats.
Core42 CEO Talal Al Kaissi said the UAE’s leadership in AI adoption carries a responsibility to maintain a secure, resilient and trusted digital infrastructure. He said the partnership combines advanced AI security capabilities with sovereign infrastructure and local expertise while maintaining a focus on security, privacy and operational control.
