United Arab Emirates
NIST bloc Standard-takerThe United Arab Emirates runs a National Post-Quantum Migration Programme under its Cyber Security Council, anchored by a National Encryption Policy whose executive regulation was approved in November 2025 and which requires government entities to hold officially approved plans to move from traditional encryption to post-quantum cryptography. The Council has deployed a national Crypto Discovery Tool with QuantumGate, customised to the requirements of the National Cryptography Center, and in May 2026 signed an agreement with the Advanced Technology Research Council to scale quantum-safe solutions as part of one of the first coordinated national migration plans. The Dubai Electronic Security Center has issued its own post-quantum cryptography guideline for the emirate of Dubai.
Governance credibility
| Criterion | Score | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Relevance | 2.0 / 2 | Medium |
| Coherence | 2.0 / 2 | Medium |
| Effectiveness | 2.0 / 2 | Medium |
| Efficiency | 2.0 / 2 | Medium |
| Governance | 2.0 / 2 | Medium |
| Impact | 2.0 / 2 | Medium |
Regulatory basis
- National Encryption Policy and its executive regulation
- National Post-Quantum Migration Programme and national Crypto Discovery Tool
- DESC Post-Quantum Cryptography Guideline (Dubai)
Legal status: Binding
Government entities must hold formally approved plans to migrate from traditional encryption (RSA, ECC and similar) to post-quantum cryptography under the National Encryption Policy and its executive regulation, approved in November 2025, and are expected to maintain an inventory of cryptographic assets and build crypto-agility into new systems. The mandate is a migration obligation overseen by the Cyber Security Council, not the adoption of a national algorithm. The Dubai Electronic Security Center guideline applies within the emirate of Dubai and is advisory.
Standards and algorithms
No standards or algorithms specified.
Hybrid stance
None stated
Migration timeline
- 2025National Encryption Policy and its executive regulation approved, mandating officially approved transition plans from traditional encryption to post-quantum cryptography
- 2026Cyber Security Council signs agreement with the Advanced Technology Research Council to deploy and scale quantum-safe solutions across critical national infrastructure
Target completion: None stated
International standards processes
- NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography (additional digital signatures call) research contributor; the Technology Innovation Institute Cryptography Research Centre submitted the MiRitH, PERK and RYDE signature schemes
Governmental and standards bodies
- UAE Cyber Security Council Issues the National Encryption Policy and runs the National Post-Quantum Migration Programme and the national Crypto Discovery Tool
- ATRC Advanced Technology Research Council, partners on the national post-quantum security transition and the Crypto Discovery Tool deployment across critical infrastructure
- National Cryptography Center UAE cryptography body whose requirements the national Crypto Discovery Tool is customised to
- DESC Dubai Electronic Security Center, issued a Post-Quantum Cryptography Guideline
Key institutional documents
- CyberQ: Cyber Security in the Quantum Era conference shapes dialogue on industry challenges from Abu Dhabi
- UAE Cyber Security Council Partners with ATRC to Advance National Post-Quantum Security Transition
- Dubai Electronic Security Center launches Post-Quantum Cryptography Guideline at GISEC Global 2025
- Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute unveils first post-quantum cryptography library in UAE (WAM)
- Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute unveils first post-quantum cryptography library in UAE
- Technology Innovation Institute contributes to post-quantum cryptographic standardisation via NIST digital signature schemes
- UAE Cybersecurity Council advances national readiness for future quantum threats with ATRC's QuantumGate
- UAE Cyber Security Council partners with ATRC to advance national post-quantum security transition
- UAE Cyber Security Council partners with QuantumGate to launch national Crypto Discovery Tool
- UAE announces approval of National Encryption Policy
- National Encryption Policy
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