Image Credit: Dubai Media Office
Dubai: Cybercrime may be evolving at lightning speed, but Dubai Police are determined to stay one step ahead and they’re inviting the community to help. This October, in line with Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the force has launched a major competition to uncover the UAE’s top ethical hacking talent, offering a prize pool worth Dh223,000.
The “Capture the Flag” (CTF) challenge will run throughout the month, drawing in school students, university talent, and seasoned professionals. Competitors will showcase their skills in penetration testing and problem-solving across three categories:
- School students: Dh40,000 prize pool
- University students: Dh78,000 prize pool
- Professionals: Dh95,000 prize pool
Qualifiers begin online on October 5 and run until the end of the month. The top contenders will face off at the grand finale, set to take place on October 25–26 at the Dubai Police Officers’ Club.
“The aim is to identify talented people in penetration testing who may one day contribute to national security efforts,” officials from Dubai Police explained.
Cybersecurity Beyond the Competition
The contest is just one pillar of a much larger campaign. Throughout October, Dubai Police will roll out a packed calendar of events, workshops, and forums designed to raise awareness about online threats. The sessions will target different groups — from schoolchildren and university students to business executives and tourists — with practical advice on safeguarding personal data and avoiding scams.
The Dubai Police Protection Centre “Hemyah”, which usually addresses social issues like bullying and drug awareness, is shifting its focus to digital safety this month. Its teams will lead interactive sessions in schools and universities, equipping young people with the tools to recognize cyber threats and protect themselves online.
Smarter Tools for a Safer Society
At the heart of the initiative is eCrimeHub, Dubai Police’s dedicated online platform where technology meets public safety. The site offers:
- A smart chatbot with advanced image-analysis features that lets users upload screenshots and instantly check for links to fraud.
- An extensive library of 60 awareness videos, covering everything from phishing scams to social engineering tactics.
- An AI-powered virtual assistant with an impressive 98% accuracy rate, delivering clear and detailed responses to queries about cybercrime.
Police stressed that every report of suspicious behaviour filed through the platform is immediately investigated, with fraudulent phone numbers, emails, or scams quickly flagged and shut down whenever possible.
Building a Resilient Digital Future
Senior officers, including Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Saeed bin Abid, Director of the Information Security Centre, and Major Engineer Khalil Al Hosani, Acting Deputy Director of the Cybercrime and AI Crimes Department, unveiled the campaign at a press conference at the Dubai Police Officers’ Club.
They emphasized that awareness is the strongest defence against online risks and that empowering people with knowledge is as vital as any technological solution.
By launching such initiatives, Dubai Police are reinforcing the UAE’s broader vision of creating a safe, resilient, and digitally secure society. The message is clear: whether on the streets or in cyberspace, protecting the community remains their top priority.
