Strategic partnership merges fintech-scale infrastructure with world-class cyber defense to protect governments, critical infrastructure, and enterprises across the Middle East and beyond
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Geneva, Switzerland, December 11, 2025:
MBME Group, a leading UAE-based technology and digital services provider, and ZENDATA, an international cybersecurity specialist, have announced the signing of a joint venture agreement to establish ZENDATA Cyber Defense. The new company will focus on delivering advanced, end-to-end cyber defense solutions across the region.
ZENDATA Cyber Defense will combine MBME Group’s expansive digital payment and technology ecosystem, strong regional reach, and ZENDATA’s deep expertise in security operations, incident response, and threat intelligence. As one of the UAE’s largest integrated digital services platforms, MBME Group serves millions of customers through thousands of smart touchpoints.
ZENDATA is a DESC and CREST-accredited cybersecurity company with global Security Operations Centers (SOCs) and a strong presence across Europe, Singapore, and the Middle East. The company delivers 24/7 monitoring, penetration testing, and managed security services worldwide.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, ZENDATA Cyber Defense will support clients across the GCC, the wider Middle East, and selected international markets.
A new benchmark for cyber resilience in the region
ZENDATA Cyber Defense aims to set a new standard for cyber resilience by offering a comprehensive portfolio of services, including:
• 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) with SOC-as-a-Code, delivering customizable IT and OT security solutions for governments, multinational organizations, and SMEs
• Threat intelligence, dark web monitoring, and proactive threat hunting, including DEFCON-level services for governments and critical entities
• Global 24/7 incident response, cyber crisis management, and business continuity planning
• Risk audits and penetration testing for IT and OT environments
• Security architecture, governance, and compliance advisory aligned with regional and international standards
By combining MBME Group’s large-scale digital infrastructure and strong government relationships with ZENDATA’s technical and operational cybersecurity expertise, the joint venture is positioned as a trusted strategic partner for national-level and sector-wide cyber resilience initiatives.
Abdelhadi Mohamed, Managing Director and Group CEO of MBME Group, said that cybersecurity has become a foundational requirement for digital economies. He noted that as MBME continues to scale advanced payment and digital services platforms across the UAE and the wider region, the partnership with ZENDATA embeds world-class cyber resilience into the group’s growth strategy. He added that ZENDATA Cyber Defense will help governments, regulators, and enterprises move from reactive defense to proactive, intelligence-led protection.
Isabelle Meyer, CEO and Co-Founder of ZENDATA, said the volume and sophistication of cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, financial services, and public institutions across EMEA have increased sharply in recent years. She explained that by joining forces with MBME Group, the companies are creating a regionally rooted cyber defense leader backed by global expertise and designed to operate at the scale of national digital transformation programs.
Supporting national and sector-wide digital transformation
The launch of ZENDATA Cyber Defense aligns with national and regional priorities focused on secure digital transformation, data sovereignty, and the protection of critical infrastructure. With MBME Group already enabling digital payment and service journeys for government, semi-government, and private sector entities, the joint venture is positioned to embed cybersecurity by design across digital platforms, from citizen services and e-government portals to large-scale financial ecosystems.
ZENDATA Cyber Defense will also focus on:
• Establishing the first in-country AI-powered SOC fully compliant with UAE legislation and Central Bank requirements
• Delivering sector-specific solutions for finance, energy, logistics, healthcare, and smart cities
• Building strategic partnerships with regulators, law enforcement, and industry bodies to strengthen overall cyber maturity across the region
About MBME Group
MBME Group P.J.S.C. is a UAE-based holding company operating a leading technology ecosystem that supports government, semi-government, and private sector entities. The group specializes in advanced technology, digital services, product management, and strategic technology investments within an integrated fintech ecosystem. With more than 770 in-house-built APIs and over 4,000 smart touchpoints across the UAE, MBME serves more than 3.2 million customers and plays a key role in the country’s fintech innovation and payment services landscape.
Website: www.mbmegroup.ae
About ZENDATA
ZENDATA Cybersecurity is a DESC and CREST-accredited cybersecurity company headquartered in Switzerland, with active hubs across the Middle East and Asia. The company operates five global SOCs and specializes in incident response, penetration testing, managed security services, and cyber strategy consulting. ZENDATA works with Gov-CERTs and international agencies and provides 24/7 monitoring and response for critical environments across government, industrial, and banking sectors. Its SOC-as-a-Code model enables adaptable cybersecurity solutions for both multinational enterprises and SMEs.
Website: www.zendata.security
Source: AETOSWire
For more information, please contact:
MBME Group Media Relations
Email: ma*******@*******up.ae
Phone: +971 56 502 7245
