What is ADHICS?
ADHICS (Abu Dhabi Healthcare Information and Cyber Security) is the Department of Health Abu Dhabi's mandatory cybersecurity standard for healthcare entities operating in Abu Dhabi. It elevates Abu Dhabi healthcare to one of the most regulated medical environments globally. The technical-controls layer aligns with ISO 27001, so hardened and continuously evidenced systems address much of its scope.
The longer answer.
Healthcare is a high-value target because patient records combine sensitive medical detail with identity and financial information, and because disrupted clinical systems can directly endanger care. Abu Dhabi's health regulator responded by making a cybersecurity standard mandatory for entities operating in the emirate, turning what is often a matter of best practice elsewhere into a condition of operating a healthcare business in the jurisdiction.
Because the standard's technical layer draws on established sources like ISO 27001 and CIS benchmarks, the underlying configuration expectations are familiar ones: hardened systems, controlled access, and monitored change. Where ADHICS raises the operational demand is cadence, with regular assessments expected rather than an annual snapshot, which favors continuous scanning that can keep evidence current between review points instead of reconstructing it each quarter.
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