The Development Department is responsible for supporting the practical execution of digital government initiatives by enabling government entities to adopt national digital platforms and enablers, improving the quality of digital services, and enhancing integration among government systems. This ensures a tangible transition toward interconnected and sustainable digital services at the federal level. The department comprises the following sections: the Digital Adoption and Enablement Section, the Digital Enablers Development Section, and the Digital Capacity Building and Awareness Section. These sections operate in an integrated manner to support the execution of digital government initiatives and enhance the readiness of government entities.

Digital Adoption and Enablement Section

• The Digital Adoption and Enablement Section leads the translation of digital policies and enablers into practical application within government entities by raising digital transformation readiness, measuring maturity levels, and guiding entities toward best digital practices, thereby supporting the efficient adoption and operation of national digital enablers. The section serves as a key link between strategy and execution by supporting the adoption and operation of national digital platforms and enablers, leading digital engagement initiatives, and ensuring consistency across government digital channels, reinforcing the transition from fragmented services to a unified and interconnected government digital experience.

Digital Enablers Development Section

• The Digital Enablers Development Section represents the technical engine of the digital government ecosystem. It is responsible for the design, development, and operation of national digital enablers that support government entities in delivering digital services. The section focuses on enhancing digital experience quality, improving design, and raising operational efficiency, ensuring the readiness, reliability, and capability of digital enablers to support government transformation at the national level.

Digital Capacity Building and Awareness Section

• The Digital Capacity Building and Awareness Section focuses on empowering government competencies and building the digital skills required to support digital transformation. The section leads national training and awareness programs, promotes the dissemination of digital knowledge, and establishes strategic partnerships with educational institutions and the private sector. These efforts foster a sustainable digital culture and ensure the readiness of national cadres to keep pace with advancements in digital government.

The Policies and Programs Department leads the governing framework of the digital government ecosystem at the federal level by developing and managing national policies, frameworks, standards, and programs that regulate the implementation of digital transformation within government entities. The department aligns digital policies with national directions, legislation, and Cabinet resolutions, ensuring the unified application of digital government concepts, strengthening governance, and achieving institutional consistency across government entities. The department comprises the following sections: the Digital Policies Section, the Digital Resources Management Section, and the National Computer Emergency Response Team (aeCERT). These sections operate in an integrated manner to support the stability of the digital ecosystem and enhance trust at the national level.

Digital Resources Management Section

• The Digital Resources Management Section is responsible for regulating, developing, and governing national domain names in the United Arab Emirates. This includes overseeing the domain registration ecosystem, licensing accredited registrars, and ensuring the efficiency of technical and regulatory operations.The section also works to enhance the sustainability and reliability of national domain names and strengthen their competitiveness at the local, regional, and international levels. In addition, it represents the UAE in relevant forums and contributes to raising awareness of domain name policies and their importance.

Digital Policies Section

• The Digital Policies Section is responsible for developing and enforcing public and digital policies in the UAE, in support of achieving comprehensive digital transformation objectives. The section oversees policy development frameworks, compliance measurement, government digital investments, and the digital economy. It also works to align public and sector-specific policies across sectors, promote responsible digital economic and environmental behavior in government practices, and supervise local, regional, and international coordination. In addition, the section builds partnerships and provides specialized support, consultancy, and training in the field of digital policies.

Information Security Section (aeCERT)

• The Information Security Section is responsible for strengthening and protecting information security and digital infrastructure in the UAE, and for reducing cyber risks and threats targeting sensitive national systems. The section plays a central role in monitoring and responding to cyber incidents, analyzing threats, exchanging cyber intelligence, and coordinating with national and international entities and specialized response teams. It also works to build a secure cyberspace, promote a strong cybersecurity culture, and implement awareness, training, and specialized consultancy programs. In addition, the section provides monitoring services, digital forensics investigations, vulnerability assessments, and ensures the continuity and availability of information and digital systems.

The Digital Government Operations Department is responsible for ensuring the operation, continuity, and efficiency of the national digital infrastructure that underpins the digital government ecosystem in the United Arab Emirates. This role ensures the readiness and reliability of government digital services and supports government entities in delivering secure and stable digital services at the federal level. The department comprises the following sections: the Infrastructure Management Section and the Cloud Services Section. These sections operate in an integrated manner to ensure operational stability and enhance the operational readiness of the digital government ecosystem.

Infrastructure Management Section

• The Infrastructure Management Section is responsible for operating and managing the digital infrastructure of the Federal Government Network, ensuring secure and reliable connectivity among government entities and with the Internet. The section oversees the management and activation of government connectivity and data exchange, and ensures the uninterrupted operation of systems and applications that support digital government enablers. It also monitors system performance, manages technical support, and operates services following their transition from project phases to sustainable operations. In addition, the section develops and upgrades the federal network, launches value-added services, and measures performance and key indicators to ensure continuity and efficiency.

Cloud Services Section

• The Cloud Services Section is responsible for providing and managing a flexible and scalable cloud infrastructure ecosystem that meets government entities’ needs for computing, storage, and networking resources with high efficiency. The section oversees the onboarding and delivery of cloud services in accordance with quality, performance, and availability standards, while ensuring an optimal user experience and cost-effective service delivery. It also develops the cloud services roadmap, periodically introduces new services, and optimizes resource utilization to support sustainability. In addition, the section manages financial offerings and technical reports, and builds partnerships with the private sector to support the government cloud services ecosystem.