Internet intelligence company Censys has partnered with AI-driven cybersecurity provider Rilian to launch Operation Digital Shield, a new initiative aimed at strengthening the cybersecurity of the UAE’s Critical National Infrastructure (CNI).
Building on the companies’ partnership announced in December 2025, the initiative combines Censys’ internet intelligence capabilities with Rilian’s expertise in agentic AI, security orchestration and automation to help government, civilian and humanitarian organisations identify exposed digital assets, detect cyber threats and improve cyber resilience.
The launch comes as cyber threats continue to intensify. According to the UAE Cyber Security Council, cyberattacks targeting the country’s digital infrastructure surged from 200,000 to 600,000 during the recent geopolitical conflict.
“Protecting critical infrastructure and sovereign data requires more than visibility alone,” said Meriam ElOuazzani, Vice President – Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) at Censys. “Through Operation Digital Shield, we are combining Censys’ internet intelligence with Rilian’s expertise in security automation to provide organisations with actionable intelligence that helps them stay ahead of emerging cyber threats.”
Operation Digital Shield extends protection to sectors including healthcare, energy, utilities and other critical infrastructure by identifying exposed attack surfaces and enabling AI-powered threat detection. The initiative is built around three key pillars—emergency response, civilian protection and cybersecurity preparedness.
It provides real-time intelligence to Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and Cyber Commands, including national exposure assessments, alerts on critical vulnerabilities, and monitoring of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) environments. The programme also includes cybersecurity training to help security teams improve threat detection, response and mitigation capabilities.
Ryan Elzein, Regional Director for Europe and the Middle East at Rilian, said the initiative gives organisations greater visibility into sensitive assets and security gaps, allowing them to prioritise risks and strengthen overall cyber resilience.
He added that the platform is designed to support critical sectors across the UAE while laying the foundation for broader expansion across the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) region.
