- ISALEX 2.0 to convene law-enforcement teams from nine member states of the 
International Security Alliance (ISA) for VR-powered virtual exercise
- 50 security experts to tackle security threat scenarios involving cybercrime, 
drones, and social media over three days

In a world first, the International Security Alliance’s virtual cybersecurity 
exercise - ISALEX 2.0 – kicked off today. Hosted at EXPO 2020 Dubai, it will be 
the first exercise of its kind to be held in the Metaverse. The unique 
simulation aims to bolster cybersecurity, while ensuring the readiness of 
alliance members to confront future threats through innovative, forward-looking 
solutions.  

50 representatives drawn from the ministries of interior and law enforcement 
agencies from nine ISA member states will take part in ISALEX 2.0, where they 
will face several real-world security scenarios. The teams will be positioned 
in operating rooms and command and control centers across all participating 
countries. They will communicate both in virtual reality and through 
videoconferencing technologies. The UAE Ministry of Interior has set up its own 
operations room within Expo 2020.

The exercise is considered a first virtual cybersecurity experiment, with teams 
facing a variety of unplanned scenarios involving security threats modelled to 
simulate reality. The virtual and real-world scenarios will require 
coordination, decision-making under pressure and rapid assessment of threats as 
well as risk-mitigation. The exercise will also incorporate crisis management 
in all its forms, including strategic communications via traditional and social 
platforms.

Major Hamad Khatir, Director of the International Operations Department at the 
Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates, says: “The UAE is on the 
front line of tackling next-generation threats to safety and security, and 
ISALEX 2.0 marks an exciting step into the future. It shows just how crucial 
hands-on experience in a VR environment can be to support real-time police 
training, facilitate the sharing of knowledge and expertise, and boost 
international cooperation. Today we take law enforcement into the metaverse – 
but it is ultimately in the real world that we will reap the benefits.”

This year’s ISALEX follows on from the success of ISALEX19, hosted in Abu Dhabi 
in 2019 - a joint international exercise which facilitated experience sharing 
and the exchange of best practices among alliance members. The 2019 edition 
focused on counterterrorism, crisis and disaster management, communications, 
and civil defense.

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The International Security Alliance (ISA)
Formally launched in 2017 by the United Arab Emirates and France, and bringing 
together interior ministries from Bahrain, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Senegal, 
Singapore, Slovakia and Spain, the International Security Alliance functions as 
a working group committed to protecting communities’ safety and prosperity. The 
ISA is aimed at enhancing collaboration, knowledge sharing and partnerships on 
global security issues, such as trans-national organised crime, border control, 
radicalisation, and violent extremism. Hosted within the Ministry of Interior 
of the UAE, the ISA’s Secretariat is responsible for coordinating all 
activities – from high-level strategic and technical engagement, to live 
exercises, training and joint operations – allowing it to dynamically respond 
to the world’s emerging security threats.

Source: International Security Alliance Secretariat