MBME Group, a UAE-based technology and digital services provider, and ZENDATA, an international cybersecurity firm, have signed a joint venture agreement to launch ZENDATA Cyber Defense. The new company will deliver end-to-end cyber defence services to clients across the Middle East and selected global markets.
ZENDATA Cyber Defense will combine MBME Group’s digital payments infrastructure and regional reach with ZENDATA’s expertise in security operations, incident response and threat intelligence. MBME Group operates one of the UAE’s largest integrated digital service platforms, serving millions of users through a wide network of smart touchpoints. ZENDATA is a DESC and CREST-accredited cybersecurity company with global Security Operations Centres and operations across Europe, Singapore and the Middle East, providing continuous monitoring, penetration testing and managed security services.
The new company will be headquartered in Abu Dhabi and will support organisations across the GCC, the wider Middle East and key international markets.
Setting a regional standard for cyber resilience
ZENDATA Cyber Defense plans to deliver a full range of cyber defence services designed to strengthen resilience across public and private sectors. These services include round-the-clock Security Operations Centre support using a SOC-as-a-Code model, tailored for IT and operational technology environments. The company will also provide threat intelligence, dark web monitoring and proactive threat hunting for government and enterprise clients.
Additional services will include global 24/7 incident response, cyber crisis management and business continuity planning, along with risk assessments and penetration testing across IT and OT systems. Clients will also have access to advisory services covering security architecture, governance and compliance with regional and international standards.
By bringing together MBME Group’s scale and public sector partnerships with ZENDATA’s technical capability, the joint venture aims to position ZENDATA Cyber Defense as a trusted partner for national and sector-wide cybersecurity programmes.
Abdelhadi Mohamed, Managing Director and Group CEO of MBME Group, stated: “Cybersecurity has become a foundational requirement for digital economies. As MBME continues to scale advanced payment and digital services platforms across the UAE and the wider region, our partnership with ZENDATA integrates world-class cyber resilience into our growth strategy. ZENDATA Cyber Defense will empower governments, regulators, and enterprises to shift from reactive defense to proactive, intelligence-led protection.”
Isabelle Meyer, CEO and Co-Founder of ZENDATA, added: “Over the past years, we have seen a sharp rise in both the volume and sophistication of cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, financial services, and public services across EMEA. By joining forces with MBME Group, we are creating a cyber defense champion that is rooted in the region, backed by global expertise, and designed to operate at the scale of national digital transformation programs. ZENDATA Cyber Defense is the Cyber SWAT team of highly specialized engineers, combining years of experience.”
Supporting secure digital transformation
The formation of ZENDATA Cyber Defense supports national and regional priorities focused on secure digital growth, data protection and safeguarding critical infrastructure. With MBME Group already supporting digital services for government and private sector organisations, the joint venture aims to embed security into platforms from the outset.
The company will also focus on building the first in-country AI-enabled Security Operations Centre that meets UAE regulatory and Central Bank requirements. Sector-focused solutions will address the needs of finance, energy, logistics, healthcare and smart city projects, supported by cooperation with regulators, law enforcement and industry groups.
