Cybersecurity is no longer an IT concern—it’s a core component of patient safety, healthcare quality, and regulatory compliance. If you’re involved in healthcare delivery in Abu Dhabi, you’re required to meet the Abu Dhabi Healthcare Information and Cyber‑Security Standard (ADHICS). To help you bridge the gap, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) launched the ADHICS AAMEN Training Program, specifically designed to upskill healthcare staff across the emirate.
Whether you’re a clinician, IT manager, or part of the support staff, this program helps ensure you’re equipped to protect patient data in today’s digital era. From understanding ADHICS controls to responding to ransomware and phishing attacks, AAMEN empowers you to become an effective cybersecurity guardian—keeping systems secure, audits smooth, and patient trust intact.
Understanding the ADHICS AAMEN Training Program
AAMEN, the Abu Dhabi Healthcare Information Security Program, is DoH’s flagship initiative to elevate cybersecurity across the healthcare ecosystem . The program includes a robust training and awareness framework, enabling facilities to meet ADHICS controls and embed cyber resilience into daily routines.
AAMEN supports:
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Online learning modules on ADHICS topics
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Policy templates and implementation guidance
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Reporting portals for compliance tracking
This foundation ensures Abu Dhabi’s healthcare providers can protect sensitive health data while advancing digital care.
Why Cybersecurity Training Matters in Healthcare
Data breaches are costly—both financially and reputationally—and happen all too frequently in hospitals worldwide. A staggering 74% of healthcare breaches are caused by human error, such as falling for phishing emails .
Technology alone isn’t enough. You need to learn:
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How to recognize phishing attempts
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Secure how you access and share patient records
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Your role in incident escalation and response
AAMEN training transforms everyday staff into vigilant defenders—reducing risks before malicious actors can strike.
Who Should Enroll in ADHICS AAMEN Training Program
AAMEN isn’t just for IT teams—it’s for everyone involved in healthcare delivery . Whether you’re a nurse, receptionist, lab technician, or physician, your role matters.
Mandatory enrollment includes:
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All clinical staff
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Admin and support personnel
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IT and security teams
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Third-party staff with HIE or EMR access
This inclusive approach ensures every user in your facility understands ADHICS expectations and your collective responsibilities.
Core Modules & Learning Objectives of the ADHICS AAMEN Training Program
Let’s break down the essential components of AAMEN training:
a) ADHICS Overview & Governance
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Introduces ADHICS V2.0: Its structure, requirements, and relevance .
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Reviews governance layers—ISGC, HIIP, and CISO roles—ensuring top-down responsibility .
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Emphasizes entity-wide policy enforcement and accountability.
b) Risk Management & Incident Response
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Explains risk identification, documentation, and treatment plans under ADHICS.
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Offers practice through incident detection and reporting exercises.
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Familiarizes trainees with DoH-certified incident matrix and Healthcare CERT escalation paths .
c) Security Policies & Technical Safeguards
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Covers essential ADHICS controls: access control, encryption, backup, and network security .
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Highlights multi-factor authentication, encrypted transmission, and audit logging.
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Reviews integration with IoMT and cloud security standards under ADHICS V2 .
d) Human Factor & Cyber Awareness
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Shows how phishing and insider threats lead to 74%+ of breaches .
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Teaches how to spot spear‑phishing, suspicious attachments, and unfamiliar URLs.
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Reinforces “no‑blame” incident reporting so staff feel safe raising concerns .
e) IoMT and Cloud Security
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Reviews controls for Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) and data offloading to cloud .
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Explains device classification, updates, and secure cloud usage per ADHICS V2.
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Reinforces that UAE patient data must remain within the country, aligned with federal mandates .
How the ADHICS AAMEN Training Program Works
The AAMEN training program is primarily digital and modular:
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e‑Learning platform: Courses with video, text, and quizzes.
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Practical labs: Mock phishing tests and incident simulation.
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Policy libraries and toolkits: Templates for policies and reporting forms.
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Certification options: Completion certificates for ADHICS audits.
You’re free to complete modules at your own pace—whether you prefer tackling one session daily or dedicating a full workday deep dive.
Benefits for Your Organization
Here’s what you—and your facility—gain from AAMEN training:
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Regulatory Alignment: Helps meet ADHICS mandates and passes DoH inspections.
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Risk Reduction: Builds staff competence to avoid and respond to breaches.
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Insurance & Audit Readiness: Training records support compliance and lower liability.
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Enhanced Reputation: Demonstrates a strong security posture to patients and partners.
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Cultural Shift: Fosters a cyber-aware, safety-first mindset across teams.
Beyond just meeting requirements, this training becomes part of your healthcare quality foundation.
Measuring Program Success
How do you know the training works? AAMEN encourages:
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Completion rates: Tracking module progress across roles
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Quiz and simulation scores: Assessing retention and real-world readiness
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Incident data: Monitoring reductions in breaches, near-misses, or phishing click rates
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Audit outcomes: Checking compliance levels during self-assessments and audits
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Staff feedback: Evaluations to improve training relevance and clarity
These metrics demonstrate real impact—and strengthen your defense posture.
Linking AAMEN Training to ADHICS Certification
Training is a key compliance requirement in ADHICS V2 . During ADHICS audits:
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DoH review training records and role-based completion
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They verify evidence of phishing simulations and incident drills
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Non-compliance or weak training incurs action plans and sanctions
By fully engaging with AAMEN, you not only meet certification standards—you confidently navigate license renewals and Malaffi integration.
Overcoming Barriers to Participation
Time constraints, tech gaps, or engagement challenges may slow training adoption. Tackle these by:
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Executive buy‑in: Leaders should promote and prioritize training.
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Protected time: Allocate protected slots during working hours.
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Language options: Offer content in Arabic and English.
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Incentives: Acknowledge high engagement or perfect completion rates.
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Support for small facilities: Lean on DoH guidance, shared training resources, and peer support.
Locally tailored strategies help turn compliance into capability.
The Road Ahead: Cybersecurity Culture in Healthcare
Long-term success means embedding cybersecurity into your DNA:
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Frequent reinforcement: Regular phishing drills, policy refreshers, and new threat updates.
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Cross-departmental councils: Include clinicians, IT, legal, and quality teams in a Security Workgroup.
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Continuous improvement: Stay abreast of ADHICS revisions, new threats, and tech shifts.
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Collaboration with CERT: Engage with Abu Dhabi Healthcare CERT for intel and sector-wide alerts .
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Patient communication: Let patients know their data is secure—a vital component of trust.
By nurturing a cybersecurity mindset, your facility becomes a model of safe, trusted digital care.
In today’s healthcare environment, cybersecurity is a shared responsibility—and your frontline defense. The AAMEN Training Program by DoH offers a structured, practical, and impactful pathway to empower your team.
By completing AAMEN:
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You align with ADHICS V2 requirements
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You reduce cyber risk and breach potential
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You strengthen audit readiness and regulatory compliance
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You build trust with patients, partners, and payers
Take advantage of this opportunity to upskill your staff and secure your digital future. Your commitment today safeguards patient health and data tomorrow.
FAQs
1. What is the AAMEN Training Program?
AAMEN is DoH’s digital program providing cybersecurity and ADHICS training modules, incident simulations, and policy toolkits to healthcare entities in Abu Dhabi .
2. Who must complete AAMEN training?
All healthcare staff—clinical, administrative, IT, and third‑party personnel—with access to patient data or systems are required to complete training under ADHICS requirements .
3. How long is AAMEN training valid?
While one-time completion is a good start, ADHICS mandates annual refresher training and periodic phishing tests to maintain compliance .
4. Does AAMEN training help with ADHICS certification?
Yes, completion records are reviewed during audits. Facilities that fully engage with AAMEN streamline ADHICS certification and license renewals .
5. What’s included in the training modules?
Key modules cover ADHICS fundamentals, governance, risk and incident response, access control and encryption, human awareness, IoMT/cloud security, and phishing simulations .