Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research pillar of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), announced that its Cryptography Research Centre (CRC) has built the UAE’s first national and sovereign crypto library.
By leveraging a combination of custom symmetric and asymmetric cryptographic primitives, the national crypto library is designed, developed and tested to safeguard confidential and high-security information.
Researchers at CRC, one of TII’s initial seven dedicated research centers, have already released multiple versions of the crypto library and are working on its seamless integration into the UAE’s critical digital infrastructure.
CRC currently employs and collaborates with scientists in multiple crucial fields of cryptography such as post-quantum cryptography (PQC), hardware-based cryptography, lightweight cryptography, cryptanalysis, cryptographic protocols, and cloud encryption schemes, amongst others.
The center is also one of the few global centers that brings together theoretical and applied cryptographers in a research-oriented setting for innovative outcomes.
Speaking about the announcement, His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary General of ATRC said,

“The ever-evolving sophistication of cyberattacks should not be taken for granted. By developing a national crypto library in the UAE and integrating this within critical digital infrastructure, we can increase our security levels and build sovereign capability simultaneously.”

Dr Najwa Aaraj, Chief Researcher at CRC said,
“The integration of the National Crypto Library with live systems will enable a more fluid security strategy across critical data-sensitive sectors such as finance, health-care, and telecommunications.”
TII has seven initial dedicated research centers in quantum, autonomous robotics, cryptography, advanced materials, digital security, directed energy and secure systems.
By working with universities, research institutions and industry partners from all over the world, the institute connects an intellectual community and contributes to building an R&D ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
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