Question 1

What IT infrastructure do I need to set up a new office in Dubai?

Accepted Answer

A typical Dubai office IT setup includes: internet connectivity (Etisalat or Du business fibre), a firewall/router, managed switch, Wi-Fi access points, a server or cloud infrastructure for shared files and applications, Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace for email and collaboration, endpoint devices (PCs/laptops), UPS protection, and a structured cabling installation. Dubai IT AMC handles the entire setup for new offices.

Question 2

Are there specific IT compliance requirements for UAE businesses?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Businesses in the UAE must comply with: UAE Cybercrime Law (Federal Law No. 5 of 2012), UAE Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL — Federal Decree Law No. 45 of 2021), NESA standards for critical information infrastructure, DESC requirements for Dubai-based organisations, and sector-specific regulations (CBUAE for banking, DHA/MOHAP for healthcare, ADIA for financial services).

Question 3

What is NESA and does my business need to comply with it?

Accepted Answer

NESA (National Electronic Security Authority) is the UAE's primary cybersecurity regulator. NESA compliance is mandatory for Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) sectors — government, energy, water, telecoms, healthcare, transport, banking, and emergency services. Other businesses should follow NESA guidelines as best practice. Dubai IT AMC can assess your obligations and help you align with NESA requirements.

Question 4

Does my Dubai free zone company have different IT requirements?

Accepted Answer

Free zone companies (DIFC, DAFZA, TECOM, DSO, etc.) are subject to their own regulations in addition to federal UAE law. DIFC, for example, has its own Data Protection Law (DIFC Law No. 5 of 2020) administered by the Commissioner of Data Protection. TECOM and DSO tech free zones often have connectivity and infrastructure guidelines. We understand free zone-specific requirements and factor them into IT planning.

Question 5

What is the UAE Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) and what does it mean for IT?

Accepted Answer

The UAE PDPL (Federal Decree Law No. 45 of 2021) regulates how businesses collect, store, process, and share personal data of UAE residents. IT implications include: maintaining data processing records, implementing appropriate security controls, enabling data subject rights (access, deletion), reporting breaches to the UAE Data Office within 72 hours, and having a documented data retention and deletion policy.

Question 6

Do VoIP calls work in the UAE? Are they restricted?

Accepted Answer

The UAE regulates VoIP — consumer VoIP apps (WhatsApp calls, FaceTime, Skype consumer) have historically been restricted. However, licensed business VoIP services (3CX, Cisco UCM, Microsoft Teams calling with licensed SIP trunks) are permitted for business use. We help businesses deploy compliant VoIP systems using licensed UAE SIP providers.

Question 7

Is cloud storage legal in the UAE? Can I store company data in Azure or AWS?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cloud services including Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud are fully legal in the UAE. Some regulated sectors require data residency within the UAE — both Azure and AWS have UAE data centres (Azure UAE North in Dubai, AWS ME-South-1 in Bahrain, with UAE regions expanding). We help you configure cloud environments to meet data residency requirements.

Question 8

Can I get IT support in Arabic in the UAE?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dubai IT AMC has a bilingual support team (English and Arabic). Documentation, reports, and user training materials can be provided in both languages. This is particularly important for businesses with Arabic-speaking staff who prefer support in their native language.

Question 9

How do I connect two offices across different UAE emirates?

Accepted Answer

Site-to-site connectivity options include MPLS (high reliability, high cost from Etisalat/Du), SD-WAN over internet links (cost-effective, flexible), or IPSec VPN over internet (suitable for smaller setups with lower bandwidth requirements). We design inter-site connectivity based on your bandwidth needs, latency requirements, and budget.

Question 10

What should I consider when choosing an IT provider in Dubai?

Accepted Answer

Look for: local Dubai office with on-site capability (not just remote support from abroad), familiarity with UAE-specific compliance requirements, bilingual support, references from UAE businesses of similar size, clear SLA terms in writing, and transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Dubai IT AMC is headquartered at Dubai Silicon Oasis — we are local by design.

Question 11

How does Dubai IT AMC support businesses during office relocation in Dubai?

Accepted Answer

We manage the full IT relocation: documenting the current setup, pre-configuring equipment for the new site, coordinating ISP installation at the new location, managing the physical move of servers and networking equipment, and ensuring zero business disruption on moving day. Post-move, we verify all systems are operational before considering the project complete.

UAE Business IT — FAQs

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