The 1st ever iCMG Architecture Excellence Awards ceremony recognises significant achievements in the field of Information Security Architecture

Dubai, UAE, 23 August 2010: As proof of the UAE telco's status as a leader in innovation and creativity, the prestigious 'IS Security Architecture' award was conferred on du during Architecture World Conference 2010. The award recognises the company's innovative 'Security Architecture Framework and Security Blueprints' project, an initiative which has considerably improved the planning and deployment of security solutions across the organisation.

"We are honoured to receive this distinguished award, which serves to demonstrate our position as leaders in innovation as well as reiterate our commitment to place paramount importance to confidentiality of our customers and  enforce the best possible security solutions. I congratulate the team for its commitment and hard work over the last couple of years in their efforts to strengthen the company's security posture and setting an example for others in the process." commented Walid Kamal, Senior Vice President, Technology Security and Risk Management, du.

"As with any Telecommunications company, du has increased complexity with thousands of critical infrastructure elements. Security incidents can potentially lead to service disruption and that has an impact on du and its customers. That makes safeguarding corporate identity, brand value/image as well as supporting compliance with ISO 27001 and respective regulations the main business drivers of our Security Architecture" he concluded.

The iCMG award ceremony - introduced for the first time this year - took place recently at Bangalore, India, as part of the Architecture World Conference 2010. These international awards are conferred on architects and organisations for significant achievements in the field of Enterprise and IT Architecture. This year's award jury was headed by Steve Towers (founder of BP Group) and included John P. Zachman (from Zachman International of the Zachman Framework). The award categories included noteworthy work in the area of Enterprise Architecture, SOA, ITSM, Business Intelligence, BPM, Open Source and Business Innovation & Transformation, all of which were presented at a ceremony held during the iCMG Architecture World Conference.

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About du
du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, launched mobile telecommunication services in February 2007 across the UAE, in addition to internet and pay TV services that du provides in some of the free zones of Dubai. Call Select, du's nationwide fixed line services for voice telephony, was launched in July 2007. By the end of 2008, over 3 million people in the UAE chose to become du customers.

Among du's many firsts is its historic Number Booking Campaign for both individuals and business, Pay by the Second billing system, Mobile TV, Mobile Payments, first of its kind 'WoW' recharge card (which offers customers the choice between more credit, more time and now 'more international' recharge option with additional credit on international calls) and Self Care.

For business customers, du business offers include Closed Business User Group and preferred International Destinations. du Broadcast Services division brings scalable media technology platforms and telecommunication solutions to the broadcast community through its world class teleport (Samacom) and Master Control Room (MCR) facilities.

du products and services for consumers and business are available through du's retail network, currently numbering 33 du shops located in strategic locations across the UAE, more than 3000 authorized dealers Or through du e-shop, accessible at http://www.du.ae/en/where-to-buy/eshop.html. du shops are a one stop shop for mobile service, carrier select and the payment of the service bills.

du is 39.5 percent owned by the UAE Federal Government, 19.75 percent by Mubadala Development Company, 19.5 percent by Emirates Communications & Technology Company LLC and the remaining stake by public shareholders. It is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and trades under the name du.

Awards to date

• du presented with an award for Best Middle Eastern Local Currency Deal 2008 by UK's EuroWeek

• du won two prestigious awards at UAE Web Awards 2008. du e-shop portal won the best strategic online portal award in the e-commerce category and du media club website won the bronze award in the media and press category.

• du corporate brand launch campaign awarded a Cristal MENA award in 2008

• du declared 'Best Brand' at Telecoms World Awards Middle East 2007 for innovative branding and outstanding brand success

• Second place in the New Brand Launch category at the GMR Effectiveness in Marketing Awards 2007

• Silver Award for the best website in the ICT category at the UAE Web Awards 2007

• du WoW TV Commercial awarded amongst the best 50 TV commercials in mobile telecom category in the world for 2007

du's Ramadan activities:

du has signed an exclusive partnership with the well-loved UAE-National Al Munshed, Ahmed Bukhatir, to provide du mobile customers with a variety of Islamic content. The content, which will be exclusively available to du customers during Ramadan, includes downloads from the talented singer's upcoming album, 'Moments with Allah', as well as a variety of ringtones, wallpapers, Arabic and English Dua'as and Quran recitals.

du's latest Homephone 24/7 offering provides Homephone postpaid customers with an even more economical way to use their existing landline, with international calls to 190 destinations from as little as 1 fils per second at any time of the day or week - a saving of 45 per cent on du's current Homephone postpaid plan.

du's revolutionary" Bonus on Incoming Offer" will provide customers 0.1 fils of bonus credit for every second of every call received (6 fils/min)from the UAE. All individual du Pay as you Go® and Elite Plan customers can avail of the offer by simply calling 135 and choosing option 4 to activate the promotion, for a one-time fee of just AED 5. 

For further information, please contact:
Saugat Chatterjee
Public Relations Manager, Channels Communications
Brand & Communications
du
Mobile: +971 55 9367045
Email: saugat.chatterjee@du.ae

Gregory Henderson
Manning, Selvage & Lee
Tel: +971 4 3676 275
Mobile: +971 55 495 6487
Fax: +971 4 367 2615
Email: gregory.henderson@dubai.mslpr.com

© Press Release 2010