The inauguration of the Police Cyber Security Operation Centre in Male’ and the groundbreaking ceremony for the development of the Police Data Centre in Hulhumale’ were held on Sunday.
The two centres are being developed with the assistance of the Cyber Security Council of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The inauguration and groundbreaking ceremony for both buildings were held in conjunction with the official visit of the head of the UAE’s Cyber Security Council, Dr Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, to the Maldives.
The foundation stone of the Police Data Centre was laid by Dr Al-Kuwaiti, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusan, and the Commissioner of Police. The centre will feature state-of-the-art facilities. Police said the new centre will modernise the work of the police and strengthen crime prevention and law enforcement capabilities.
Following the groundbreaking, the newly established Police Cyber Security Operations Center (CSOS) was inaugurated at the Shaheed Hussain Adam Building in Male’. The centre was opened by Minister Ihusan, Dr Al-Kuwaiti and Commissioner Naveen.
The CSOC is designed to act as the nation’s “shield and watchtower” in cyber space by monitoring, identifying, responding to threats as well as preventing and reducing digital space risks, the police said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Commissioner Naveen said the centre reflects the close relationship between the Maldives and UAE. He noted that modern national security requires not only police work, but also the ability to deal with invisible cyber space threats. He also expressed gratitude Minister Ihusan for the support and assistance provided by the Ministry.
Following the ceremonies, Al-Kuwaiti met with police officials to discuss strengthening the cyber security sector. His current trip follows a similar trip to the Maldives in August last year, during which both sides held discussions on strengthening relations between the two countries in the field of cyber security and facilitating further opportunities and training.
The government has prioritised strengthening the Maldives’ cyber security. A separate agency titled the National Cyber Security Agency has been established as part of these efforts.