PR95134

DUBAI, UAE, March 23, 2022, /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- ISALEX 2.0 to convene law-enforcement teams from nine member states of the

International Security Alliance (ISA) for VR-powered virtual exercise

- 50 security experts to tackle security threat scenarios involving cybercrime,

drones, and social media over three days

In a world first, the International Security Alliance’s virtual cybersecurity

exercise - ISALEX 2.0 – kicked off today. Hosted at EXPO 2020 Dubai, it will be

the first exercise of its kind to be held in the Metaverse. The unique

simulation aims to bolster cybersecurity, while ensuring the readiness of

alliance members to confront future threats through innovative, forward-looking

solutions.  

50 representatives drawn from the ministries of interior and law enforcement

agencies from nine ISA member states will take part in ISALEX 2.0, where they

will face several real-world security scenarios. The teams will be positioned

in operating rooms and command and control centers across all participating

countries. They will communicate both in virtual reality and through

videoconferencing technologies. The UAE Ministry of Interior has set up its own

operations room within Expo 2020.

The exercise is considered a first virtual cybersecurity experiment, with teams

facing a variety of unplanned scenarios involving security threats modelled to

simulate reality. The virtual and real-world scenarios will require

coordination, decision-making under pressure and rapid assessment of threats as

well as risk-mitigation. The exercise will also incorporate crisis management

in all its forms, including strategic communications via traditional and social

platforms.

Major Hamad Khatir, Director of the International Operations Department at the

Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates, says: “The UAE is on the

front line of tackling next-generation threats to safety and security, and

ISALEX 2.0 marks an exciting step into the future. It shows just how crucial

hands-on experience in a VR environment can be to support real-time police

training, facilitate the sharing of knowledge and expertise, and boost

international cooperation. Today we take law enforcement into the metaverse –

but it is ultimately in the real world that we will reap the benefits.”

This year’s ISALEX follows on from the success of ISALEX19, hosted in Abu Dhabi

in 2019 - a joint international exercise which facilitated experience sharing

and the exchange of best practices among alliance members. The 2019 edition

focused on counterterrorism, crisis and disaster management, communications,

and civil defense.

[Ends]

The International Security Alliance (ISA)

Formally launched in 2017 by the United Arab Emirates and France, and bringing

together interior ministries from Bahrain, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Senegal,

Singapore, Slovakia and Spain, the International Security Alliance functions as

a working group committed to protecting communities’ safety and prosperity. The

ISA is aimed at enhancing collaboration, knowledge sharing and partnerships on

global security issues, such as trans-national organised crime, border control,

radicalisation, and violent extremism. Hosted within the Ministry of Interior

of the UAE, the ISA’s Secretariat is responsible for coordinating all

activities – from high-level strategic and technical engagement, to live

exercises, training and joint operations – allowing it to dynamically respond

to the world’s emerging security threats.

Source: International Security Alliance Secretariat