GDRFA Dubai organises a Cybersecurity Hackathon for University Students as part of its Participation

GDRFA Dubai organises a Cybersecurity Hackathon for University Students as part of its Participation

GDRFA Dubai organises a Cybersecurity Hackathon for University Students as part of its Participation in GITEX Global 2024 in Dubai

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA) participated in GITEX Global 2024, inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. GITEX Global 2024 is the largest technological event in the region and the world, bringing together leading companies and technology pioneers to showcase the latest innovations shaping the future of various sectors.

At this event, Dubai Residency highlighted its pioneering efforts in digital transformation by introducing a range of innovative solutions that contribute to enhancing customer experience and streamlining procedures. The Directorate has relied on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and biometric data to offer integrated digital services.

Among the key solutions presented by the Directorate at the exhibition are:

  • Seamless Travel Platform: A project featuring cutting-edge technologies that enable automatic identification of individuals to facilitate the movement of travellers through borders without the need to stop, enhancing fluidity and providing the highest levels of security.
  • Pre-Registration System: This system allows residents and visitors to register their biometric data before arriving in Dubai, significantly reducing the time required for procedures and providing fast and efficient services.
  • AI-Powered Digital Assistant: This system offers services and information to customers 24/7, contributing to an improved customer experience and providing innovative, swift solutions to inquiries.

The GDRFA Dubai exhibition platform attracted hundreds of visitors from various nationalities, who explored the innovative digital projects and learned about the latest technological developments showcased by the Directorate at the exhibition.

As part of its community responsibility, GDRFA Dubai organised a unique cybersecurity hackathon, which saw the participation of 25 university students from across the UAE on the first day of the exhibition. The competition, titled “Capture The Flag (CTF),” aimed to develop students' skills in cybersecurity through practical challenges simulating real-world scenarios.

The hackathon consisted of a series of technical challenges that required participants to exploit systems or identify security vulnerabilities in a secure virtual environment. The goal of these challenges was to teach participants how to identify security flaws and work to resolve them in an educational and training framework that enhances their skills in cybersecurity.

This competition is part of GDRFA Dubai efforts to support innovation and excellence in digital technology, especially with the increasing global cybersecurity threats. It also aims to equip a new generation of cybersecurity specialists capable of protecting data and information across various sectors.

The hackathon challenge is a clear model of Dubai’s commitment to developing young talents and embracing them in a vital field that is growing in importance by the day, contributing to Dubai's standing as an innovative city that supports technological progress in all areas.