Cybersecurity Audit Company in Dubai & UAE

What is a cybersecurity audit and how is it different from a penetration test?

A cybersecurity audit assesses whether your policies, processes, and controls meet a defined framework (e.g. ISO 27001, NESA IA, CBUAE CRF). It is primarily a compliance and governance exercise involving document review, interviews, and configuration checks. A penetration test is a technical exercise that actively attempts to exploit vulnerabilities. You typically need both — the audit tells you whether your security programme is correct, and the penetration test tells you whether your technical defences hold up.

How long does a cybersecurity audit take in UAE?

For an ISO 27001 gap analysis or PDPL readiness audit, typically 3–5 business days of fieldwork, with a draft report within 48 hours of fieldwork completion and a final report within 10 business days. NESA IA assessments typically take 7–10 days. CBUAE CRF audits for banks typically require 10–15 days depending on the size of the institution. We can compress timelines for regulatory deadlines — contact us to discuss.

Are your audit reports accepted by UAE regulators (NESA, CBUAE, DFSA)?

Yes. Our CISA-certified auditors and ISO 27001 Lead Auditors produce reports formatted to meet the submission requirements of NESA, CBUAE, DFSA (DIFC), and FSRA (ADGM). For PCI DSS, we work within QSA-network engagements. We have a 100% acceptance rate on regulatory submissions to date — if a regulator has questions, we respond on your behalf at no extra cost.

What is the difference between NESA IA and ISO 27001 audit in UAE?

NESA IA (UAE Information Assurance Standard) is a UAE-specific framework published by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and is mandatory for Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) operators. ISO 27001 is an international standard applicable to any organisation. Many UAE CNI entities must comply with NESA IA and may additionally choose ISO 27001 certification. The two frameworks have overlap but different controls and submission requirements — our team can assess both simultaneously to reduce cost and disruption.

How much does a cybersecurity audit cost in Dubai?

ISO 27001 gap analysis starts from AED 8,500 for an SME with a single site. NESA IA assessments range from AED 18,000 to AED 30,000 depending on scope. CBUAE CRF audits for regulated financial institutions start at AED 22,000. PCI DSS v4.0 gap assessments range from AED 12,000 to AED 25,000. Enterprise multi-framework audits are priced on scope. Contact us with your organisation size and required framework for a fixed-fee quote within 24 hours.

Can you conduct a cybersecurity audit remotely?

Yes. The majority of our audit work can be conducted remotely using secure document sharing portals, screen-sharing sessions, and structured interview calls. For NESA IA and CBUAE audits, some on-site physical security and data centre reviews may be required. Hybrid arrangements (remote document review + 1–2 days on-site) are also common and reduce cost by 20–30%. We serve clients across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and internationally from UAE.

Do you provide a remediation plan after the cybersecurity audit?

Yes — every audit includes a prioritised remediation roadmap structured across 30-day, 90-day, and 12-month horizons. Each remediation item includes: the specific control gap, the business risk if unaddressed, recommended solution, estimated effort, and suggested ownership. We also offer a separate remediation implementation service — eShield can do the fixing, not just the identifying. Ask about our audit-plus-fix packages.

How often should an organisation in UAE conduct a cybersecurity audit?

For ISO 27001 certified organisations: annual surveillance audits and triennial recertification. For NESA IA: TDRA publishes assessment cycles for each CNI sector — typically annual or biennial. For CBUAE regulated entities: annual maturity self-assessments with periodic independent audits. For DIFC/ADGM licensed firms: annually or following material changes to IT systems. For non-regulated organisations: at minimum annually, or following any significant security incident, major infrastructure change, or M&A activity.