• Awards underline the growing importance of data centres in the region
  • Tier Certification adds to DIFC’s multi-award-winning data centre provision
  • Additionally, DIFC announces agreement with bleeding-edge anti-money laundering (AML) platform from Napier and integration of digital identity verification with Yoti

Dubai, UAE: At GITEX Global 2022, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, continued to mark its data centre excellence by announcing a new certification from Uptime Institute, internationally recognised as the Global Digital Infrastructure Authority. The independently assessed and awarded Tier III Gold Certification reassures those considering using the DIFC data centre that it is operating at the highest levels.

DIFC, taking part at this year’s GITEX global event, has four state-of-the-art data centres continuously delivering robust, reliable, secure and bespoke data hosting services to its evolving and dynamic financial and business community.

Tier Certification of Data Centre Operational Sustainability is a holistic assessment of staffing and organisation practices; maintenance and operations activities; and management and planning. Assessors viewed DIFC’s business objectives in terms of risk reduction, reduced downtime and operational efficiency.

Since launching in 2004, DIFC data centres have delivered more than 99.99 per cent uptime, which has been recognised by the Uptime Institute upon presentation of the Tier Certification.

The Tier III Certification puts DIFC in an exclusive global position – there are currently only two other holders of such an award in the UAE. Uptime Institute's Tier III Certification involves deep assessment and evaluation of data centre reliability, availability, maintainability and overall performance.

Alya Al Zarouni, Executive Vice President - Operations at DIFC, said: “Data storage and management is absolutely crucial in modern business operations. DIFC clients need to be able to rely on our data hosting services, and this Uptime Institute Gold Certification delivers the assurance businesses appreciate. This certification is testament to the enormous efforts our information and communications technology team has put into the data centre.”

Mustapha Louni, Senior Vice President, Middle East, Africa and Greater India, Uptime Institute, adds: “We are pleased to present DIFC with the Tier III Gold Certification of Operational Sustainability. This important award illustrates DIFC’s commitment to achievement at the highest level, anticipating a wider range of conditions or production possibilities and understanding how to accommodate those situations, moving well beyond the basic requirements.”

Tackling financial crime

Furthermore, DIFC has inked an agreement with advanced anti-financial crime compliance solutions provider, Napier that opened a regional office in DIFC in July 2022.

Napier delivers world-class anti-money laundering (AML) and trade compliance solutions, ensuring that DIFC retains its global reputation and maintains vigilant adherence to international regulations. The company sits at the bleeding-edge of the nascent RegTech sector, delivering a next-gen AI and SaaS platform, which allows DIFC to deliver its suite of services, whilst also meeting international AML and financial crime regulations.

Digital Identity Verification

In an additional move to build on its robust reputation for Know Your Client (KYC) and AML processes, DIFC has integrated a digital identity verification platform with UK-based Yoti.

Yoti’s technology delivers fast, effective and seamless identity verification, and deepens DIFC’s commitment to delivering the smoothest and most streamlined client experience. Yoti’s identity verification technology strengthens the client onboarding process via a frictionless and secure experience.

-Ends-

About Dubai International Financial Centre

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of the world’s most advanced financial centres, and the leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), which comprises 72 countries with an approximate population of 3 billion and an estimated GDP of USD 8 trillion.  

With a close to 20-year track record of facilitating trade and investment flows across the MEASA region, the Centre connects these fast-growing markets with the economies of Asia, Europe and the Americas through Dubai. 

DIFC is home to an internationally recognised, independent regulator and a proven judicial system with an English common law framework, as well as the region’s largest financial ecosystem of almost 30,000 professionals working across over 4,000 active registered companies – making up the largest and most diverse pool of industry talent in the region.  

The Centre’s vision is to drive the future of finance through cutting-edge technology, innovation, and partnerships. Today, it is the global future of finance and innovation hub offering one of the region’s most comprehensive FinTech and venture capital environments, including cost-effective licensing solutions, fit-for-purpose regulation, innovative accelerator programmes, and funding for growth-stage start-ups.  

Comprising a variety of world-renowned retail and dining venues, a dynamic art and culture scene, residential apartments, hotels and public spaces, DIFC continues to be one of Dubai’s most sought-after business and lifestyle destinations. 

For further information, please visit our website: difc.ae, or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @DIFC. 

For media enquiries, please contact:   
Omar Nasro | ASDA’A BCW  
omar.nasro@bcw-global.com  
www.asdaa-bcw.com | www.arabyouthsurvey.com

Rasha Mezher | Dubai International Financial Centre Authority  
Consultant, Marketing & Corporate Communications
t-rasha.mezher@difc.ae