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Process Improvement & Appraisal

Adhics Certification in the UAE

ADHICS is a regulatory security framework in Abu Dhabi focused on data protection, system security, access control, and risk management. Compliance helps organizations protect regulated data and meet regulatory requirements.

✓ Mandatory DoH Standard ✓ Protects Health Data ✓ Supports Malaffi Security ✓ Three Control Levels

Maturity Progression

Adhics
1 Initial
2 Managed
3 Defined
4 Quantitatively
Managed
5 Optimizing
OVERVIEW

What is ADHICS Compliance in UAE ?

ADHICS Certification is a regulatory security framework in Abu Dhabi that defines requirements for protecting sensitive information. It focuses on system security, data protection, access control, and risk management. Organizations handling regulated data must meet ADHICS requirements to maintain secure operations and regulatory alignment.

ADHICS stands for the Abu Dhabi Healthcare Information and Cyber Security Standard. It is a mandatory information security framework for healthcare and government-linked entities. It establishes minimum security controls to protect systems, networks, and sensitive information from cyber threats.

ADHICS is important to Abu Dhabi’s security ecosystem because it strengthens the protection of sensitive data and helps reduce cyber risks. Compliance supports better governance, accountability, and security practices while demonstrating an organization’s commitment to regulatory requirements.

At a glance

Owner ISACA / Adhics
Current model Adhics
Outcome Maturity level rating
Validity 3 years, published on PARS

Not the same as Adhics

DoH compliance supports licensing, builds trust, and protects patient data.

REQUIREMENTS

The five maturity levels

1 Level

Initial

Processes are unpredictable, reactive, and poorly controlled.

2 Level

Managed

Processes are planned and managed at the project level.

3 Level

Defined

Processes are documented as organisation-wide standards and applied consistently.

4 Level

Quantitatively
Managed

Processes are measured and controlled using quantitative data.

5 Level

Optimizing

The organisation focuses on continuous improvement and innovation.

BENEFITS

What a maturity rating changes

Improves project predictability, quality, and on-time delivery through defined processes.

Provides an independent Benchmark Appraisal rating recognised by clients and government buyers worldwide.

Strengthens eligibility for contracts and tenders that require a specific maturity level.

Reduces rework, cost overruns, and delivery risk through measurable process control.

Builds a culture of continuous improvement aligned to Adhics practice areas.

Enhances organisational credibility and competitiveness in global IT and services markets.

PROCESS

The ADHICS Certification journey, stage by stage

There are numerous benefits that healthcare entities in Abu Dhabi can derive from ADHICS compliance

01

Stronger Patient Data Security

The standard aligns your entity with recognised security good practice, helping protect patient records and health information from unauthorised access.

02

Regulatory Compliance

ADHICS is enforced by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi. Meeting it demonstrates your commitment to the Emirate licensing and data protection requirements.

03

Improved Patient and Partner Trust

Patients, insurers, and partners find it easier to trust providers that safeguard health information. Compliance signalled to the Department of Health Abu Dhabi shows that your entity takes data protection seriously.

04

Structured Risk Management

ADHICS helps you recognise security threats across governance and control domains and apply measures to reduce them, lowering the risk of breaches and clinical disruption.

05

Sector Credibility

ADHICS compliance distinguishes your entity within the Abu Dhabi healthcare sector. It shows a commitment to the security standards expected of DoH-regulated hospitals, clinics, and specialised centres

Global Markets

Adhics Certification in nine markets

Univate Global supports Adhics Benchmark Appraisal readiness across nine markets, where a maturity rating strengthens delivery credibility and tender eligibility.

UAE

Valued by IT-services and government technology suppliers bidding for public-sector contracts.

Saudi Arabia

Supports software and IT vendors engaging with government digital transformation programs under Vision 2030.

Philippines

Recognised across the IT-BPM and outsourcing sector as a signal of delivery maturity.

South Africa

Used by software and IT-services firms to strengthen public and enterprise tenders.

USA

Widely required or preferred for federal and defense IT contracts and by systems integrators.

Singapore

Valued by technology providers competing for enterprise and government projects.

Malaysia

Supports IT-services companies pursuing regional and government work.

Vietnam

Recognised across the growing software outsourcing sector to demonstrate delivery capability.

India

Extensively adopted by IT-services and software exporters, many appraised at Maturity Level 3 or higher for global clients.

WHY UNIVATE

Why Univate Global For Adhics Certification in the UAE?

ADHICS certification applies to organizations regulated by Abu Dhabi authorities. This includes healthcare providers, insurance companies, government departments, and technology vendors handling regulated data. Applicability generally depends on regulatory scope rather than organization size.

ADHICS compliance strengthens security controls across systems and improves access management and data protection. It also promotes consistent security practices and better incident response.

Compliance increases security awareness, regulatory confidence, and operational resilience while helping organizations reduce cybersecurity and reputational risks.

LEAD APPRAISER IN-HOUSE

Bansi Rath, CEO, is a ADHICS Lead Appraiser for Development, Services, People Management, Security and Supplier domains.

TAILORED SCOPE

Engagements are scoped to your size, sector and target maturity level, not a fixed documentation package.

Often taken alongside ADHICS

FAQS

ADHICS questions we get asked

ADHICS is the Abu Dhabi Healthcare Information and Cyber Security Standard, issued by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DoH). It is the mandatory information security and cyber security framework that healthcare entities regulated in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi must implement to protect patient data and health information systems.
All DoH-regulated healthcare entities in Abu Dhabi fall in scope. This includes public and private hospitals, clinics, day surgery and specialised centres, diagnostic and pharmacy facilities, and health insurance and related service providers that handle patient or health information.
ADHICS defines Basic, Transitional, and Advanced control sets. The Basic controls are mandatory for every healthcare entity, while the Transitional and Advanced controls apply according to the size, bed count, and complexity of the facility.
Yes. The Department of Health Abu Dhabi requires ADHICS compliance as a condition of operating and maintaining a healthcare licence in the Emirate. Entities are expected to adopt the Basic controls first and then progress to the tier that matches their profile.
ADHICS is built on internationally recognised information security good practice and aligns closely with ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002 controls. An organisation that already runs an ISO 27001 management system has a strong foundation for meeting ADHICS requirements.
Timelines depend on the entity size, its existing controls, and the applicable tier. The Basic controls are generally expected within around six months of adoption, with Transitional and Advanced controls implemented over the following period.

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