NCEMA
NCEMA is the UAE national standard for business continuity management. Univate’s business continuity consultants support faster, transparent and cost-effective implementation and assessment, from gap assessment to final readiness review.
Who It Applies To
NCEMA 7000What is NCEMA ?
NCEMA 7000 is the UAE national standard for business continuity management. It is issued by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), which operates under the Supreme Council for National Security. The standard specifies how an organisation plans, implements, tests and improves a business continuity management system so that critical activities continue during disruptions such as outages, cyber incidents, natural hazards and supply failures.
Adoption has grown across the UAE as federal and local government entities, along with organisations in vital sectors, are expected to demonstrate resilience. NCEMA 7000 is closely aligned with ISO 22301 and draws on ISO 31000 risk management principles, giving UAE entities a recognised and structured way to protect people, operations and reputation.
NCEMA 7000 also builds confidence with regulators, partners and clients. A documented and exercised continuity capability shows that the organisation takes resilience seriously, which is valued in a market where continuity of essential services is a national priority.
At a glance
How it relates to ISO 22301
NCEMA 7000 follows the same Plan, Do, Check, Act structure as ISO 22301 but adds UAE-specific requirements and terminology. Many organisations certify to both and run a single integrated management system.
What a NCEMA programme requires
Business impact analysis
Identifies the activities that must be recovered first and the acceptable downtime for each.
Risk assessment
Identifies the threats most likely to cause disruption so mitigation can be put in place.
Continuity and recovery strategies
Strategies are designed around the organisation’s critical activities, sites and sector obligations.
Exercising and testing
Plans are validated through realistic exercises before a formal assessment.
Key Benefits of NCEMA for UAE Organisations
Operational resilience: critical activities are identified and protected so services continue during disruptions.
Regulatory alignment: helps entities meet UAE national resilience expectations set by NCEMA.
Stakeholder confidence: a documented and exercised continuity capability reassures regulators, partners and clients.
Structured risk management: business impact analysis and risk assessment put mitigation and recovery strategies in place.
Competitive advantage: distinguishes an organisation in tenders and supply chains where public authorities require continuity assurance.
The NCEMA journey, stage by stage
Scoping and context
The scope of the business continuity management system and the organisation’s context are defined.
Business impact analysis
Critical activities, the impact of interruptions and recovery priorities and timeframes are identified.
Risk assessment
Threats are assessed and mitigation strategies are put in place.
Strategy and plan development
Continuity and recovery strategies are developed and documented as plans and procedures.
Awareness, training and exercising
Staff awareness sessions and exercises make sure people understand their roles during a disruption.
Readiness review and improvement
A pre-assessment readiness review is carried out, and the system is maintained and continually improved.
NCEMA across nine markets
Univate Global supports NCEMA 7000 business continuity readiness for UAE entities and for organisations in other markets that supply UAE public authorities.
UAE
Government entities and vital-sector organisations are expected to maintain continuity of essential services, and many authorities extend this to their suppliers and partners.
Saudi Arabia
Relevant to organisations in Saudi Arabia that supply or partner with UAE government entities and vital-sector organisations.
Philippines
Relevant to organisations in Philippines that supply or partner with UAE government entities and vital-sector organisations.
South Africa
Relevant to organisations in South Africa that supply or partner with UAE government entities and vital-sector organisations.
USA
Relevant to organisations in USA that supply or partner with UAE government entities and vital-sector organisations.
Singapore
Relevant to organisations in Singapore that supply or partner with UAE government entities and vital-sector organisations.
Malaysia
Relevant to organisations in Malaysia that supply or partner with UAE government entities and vital-sector organisations.
Vietnam
Relevant to organisations in Vietnam that supply or partner with UAE government entities and vital-sector organisations.
India
Relevant to organisations in India that supply or partner with UAE government entities and vital-sector organisations.
Univate Solutions, Trusted Partner for NCEMA in the UAE
Organisations across the UAE seeking NCEMA 7000 business continuity trust Univate Solutions. We help entities of different sizes build and validate business continuity management systems, and provide ongoing maintenance support so the management system stays current and continues to improve.
Univate Solutions understands the particular obligations that UAE government entities and vital-sector organisations face, and provides tailored solutions to match.
END-TO-END SUPPORT
From the initial gap assessment and business impact analysis to strategy, plan development, exercising and pre-assessment readiness.
ISO 22301 ALIGNMENT
Where required, we align the system with ISO 22301 so a single framework satisfies both the national standard and international certification.
Often taken alongside NCEMA
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