Managed IT services in Abu Dhabi for ADGM and mainland companies
Managed IT services in Abu Dhabi means one provider runs your Microsoft 365 tenant, Microsoft Entra ID identities, device patching and monitoring every month, instead of being called only when something breaks. GR IT Services delivers this remotely from our office in Business Bay, Dubai, with on-site visits in Abu Dhabi arranged by agreement. For companies registered in ADGM, we run that work so it supports your duties under the ADGM Data Protection Regulations 2021, including the 72-hour breach notification window.
- 5 minP1 critical response
- 10 minP2 response
- 72 hoursADGM breach notice window, where feasible
- RemoteRun from Business Bay, Dubai
Six things we run for you every month, not only when you call.
Microsoft 365 tenant administration
Joiners and leavers, mailboxes, licences, Teams and SharePoint permissions. We check where your tenant stores its data using the Data Location card in the Microsoft 365 admin center, so you know what to tell your auditors.
Microsoft Entra ID identity and access
Multifactor authentication, Conditional Access policies (if a user wants to reach a resource, then they must complete an action such as MFA), two or more emergency access accounts as Microsoft recommends, and leaver accounts disabled the day someone goes.
Patching on a schedule
Windows Autopatch, which automates Windows, Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Teams updates, or Intune update rings, which define how and when Windows updates are installed, where Autopatch does not fit. Devices that fall behind are chased, not ignored.
Monitoring and alerting
Device health, risky sign-ins, failed backup jobs and expiring certificates raise alerts that become tickets under the P1, P2 and P3 response times below, so problems are found before your staff report them.
Backups with tested restores
A backup only counts if it restores. We run restore tests and record the results, because ADGM guidance names the ability to restore personal data in a timely manner and regular testing of security measures as examples of what organisations should consider.
Audit logs kept long enough
Microsoft 365 Audit (Standard) keeps records for 180 days. If you need a longer history for an investigation or an auditor, we export the logs through the Office 365 Management Activity API to longer-term storage or a SIEM.
What the ADGM Data Protection Regulations 2021 mean for how your IT is run.
Every ADGM entity is in scope, not only FSRA firms
ADGM states that the Regulations apply to all entities established in the ADGM. Controllers must keep records of processing activities. We give you an up-to-date list of the systems that hold personal data (mailboxes, SharePoint sites, line-of-business apps, backups) so that record reflects what actually exists.
Security of processing, applied to your tenant
The Regulations leave the choice of measures to you, and the guidance gives examples: encryption, ongoing confidentiality, integrity, availability and resilience, timely restore after an incident, and regular testing of the measures. Our monthly work (MFA, Conditional Access, patching, backups and restore tests) is how those examples show up in practice.
The 72-hour breach window
Controllers must notify the Office of Data Protection without undue delay and, where feasible, within 72 hours of becoming aware of a breach, through the Online Registry Solution. All breaches must be documented, even ones not reported. When an incident hits, we contain it and hand you the facts (what happened, which data, what we did) in time for your notification decision.
A written contract with your IT provider
When a controller uses a processor there must be a written contract. ADGM guidance lists what it must say: act only on your documented instructions, keep data secure, help you with breach notification and data subject requests, delete or return data at the end, and allow audits. Ask any provider, including us, for a contract that covers each point.
Four kinds of Abu Dhabi company we run IT for.
Companies registered in ADGM
Any company registered in ADGM, whether or not it is regulated by the FSRA, that needs its Microsoft 365 tenant and devices run in a way that supports the ADGM Data Protection Regulations. FSRA-regulated firms also need the wider compliance work on our ADGM IT compliance page.
Abu Dhabi mainland companies
On the mainland the reference point is the federal Personal Data Protection Law, Federal Decree Law No. 45 of 2021, which came into force on 2 January 2022 and sets general obligations for companies to secure the personal data they hold.
Companies with Abu Dhabi and Dubai offices
One Microsoft 365 tenant, one helpdesk number and one monthly report across both emirates, instead of a different provider in each city.
Suppliers to government entities
If a government customer asks how your IT is run, monthly patch reports, access reviews and exported audit logs give you evidence to show rather than a description to write from scratch.
What changes when IT is managed monthly instead of fixed on request.
| Feature | Managed IT (monthly) | Break-fix IT support | In-house only |
|---|---|---|---|
Patching | Planned every month | When someone asks | Depends on capacity |
Monitoring and alerts | Varies | ||
Joiners and leavers in Entra ID | Routine, same day | Per ticket | |
Restore tests recorded | Varies | ||
Incident facts for a 72-hour ADGM notice | Part of the incident process | If someone is free | Depends on skills |
Monthly report | Internal | ||
On-site visits in Abu Dhabi | By agreement | Per call-out |
Priority-tiered response from our Dubai service desk.
Resolution target
Agreed in your contract
Example incidents
- Nobody can sign in to Microsoft 365
- Suspected account compromise or ransomware
- Office internet or firewall down
Resolution target
Agreed in your contract
Example incidents
- One department cannot reach a shared app
- VPN failing for remote staff
- Backup job failed overnight
Resolution target
Agreed in your contract
Example incidents
- Single laptop or mailbox issue
- New starter account request
- Permission change on a SharePoint site
Response is remote, from our office in Business Bay, Dubai. On-site visits in Abu Dhabi are arranged by agreement and are not covered by these response times.
From first review to a monthly managed service.
- 1
Tenant and estate review
Before signing
We review your Microsoft 365 tenant, Entra ID sign-in settings, devices, backups and admin accounts, and confirm whether you are registered in ADGM or on the mainland.
- 2
Written scope
Before signing
Which systems we manage, response times, who does what in an incident, how on-site visits in Abu Dhabi are arranged, and the processor contract points ADGM guidance lists.
- 3
Onboarding
First month
Monitoring switched on, Autopatch or update rings configured, emergency access accounts created, Conditional Access reviewed, backups and audit log export set up.
- 4
Monthly operation
Every month
Patching, monitoring, joiners and leavers, restore tests and a monthly report covering tickets, patch status, sign-in risks and open actions.
What Abu Dhabi companies ask before signing.
Where to go for the parts this page does not cover.
Get a written managed IT proposal for your Abu Dhabi company.
Tell us whether you are registered in ADGM or on the mainland, how many users and devices you have, and which systems you rely on. We will review your setup and send a written scope.
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