Dubai Launches ‘Ethaq Plus’ for Secure Digital Certificate Issuance
Dubai has unveiled a new platform, ‘Ethaq Plus,’ designed to issue globally recognised digital certificates. Announced during GISEC Global 2025 by Faisal Abdulaziz, Director of the Cybersecurity Threat Centre at the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC), this initiative aims to support secure and legally binding transactions across all sectors. Notably, it marks a step toward digital sovereignty by allowing local issuance of certificates that were previously acquired from international providers.
Until now, organisations in the UAE had to rely on foreign sources for website security and digital signatures. With Ethaq Plus, however, entities within the government, private sector, and even individuals can now secure these certificates domestically. As a result, the process becomes faster, more efficient, and aligned with national cybersecurity goals.
Streamlining Cybersecurity for All Sectors
According to Abdulaziz, the platform will allow organisations to secure internal transactions, sign digital documents, and protect their websites. While international solutions remain available, this local option simplifies the process and aligns with Dubai’s broader vision for digital infrastructure. Moreover, it ensures that digital authentication remains within the country’s regulatory environment, which further enhances data control and trust.
Abdulaziz emphasized that cybersecurity must evolve alongside digital transformation. He explained that DESC integrates security into every layer of development, from infrastructure to user-facing platforms. By combining intelligence, continuous monitoring, and predictive analytics, they aim to proactively tackle threats rather than merely react to them.
A Strategic Move Toward Cyber Resilience
Ethaq Plus is just one part of Dubai’s long-term cybersecurity strategy. DESC, established in 2014, continues to lead efforts in securing the emirate’s digital economy. While Abdulaziz acknowledged that no project is without risk, he reinforced that challenges should never halt progress. Instead, DESC is focused on building resilience through innovation.
As global threats grow more complex, Dubai’s investment in secure authentication platforms like Ethaq Plus shows its commitment to future-ready solutions. Clearly, the initiative represents not only a technical upgrade but also a major trust-building tool in the digital age.
