Managed IT and cyber security for regulated firms in Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Managed IT and cyber security for regulated firms in Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Managed IT services means an outside provider runs your IT for a fixed fee: support for your people, care of devices, the network and Microsoft 365, security, backup and planning. In Dubai it is often sold as an IT annual maintenance contract (AMC). The price depends mainly on the number of users and devices, the support hours and response times you need, and how much security and on-site time is included.
As a guide, Cre8 IT charges AED 250–500 per user per month for essential support (helpdesk, monitoring, patching and antivirus), AED 500–900 with Microsoft 365 administration, cloud systems monitoring and stronger cyber security tools, and AED 950–1,500 for enterprise service with 24/7 SOC as a Service.
A complete managed IT service usually covers:
Most providers in Dubai price in one of three ways:
Some firms still pay by the hour or per call. That looks cheaper until something goes wrong, and it gives the provider no reason to prevent problems.
As a guide, this is what Cre8 IT charges per user, per month, for a fixed-fee managed IT service:
| Service level | What it usually includes | Per user, per month |
|---|---|---|
| Essential support | Helpdesk, device monitoring and patching, basic antivirus | AED 250–500 |
| Managed IT and security | Everything in Essential, plus Microsoft 365 administration, monitoring of cloud systems and stronger cyber security tools | AED 500–900 |
| Enterprise | Everything above, plus 24/7 monitoring through SOC as a Service | AED 950–1,500 |
Where you fall within each range depends on the number of users and devices, support hours, on-site time and any compliance requirements (see what drives the cost). Hardware, software licences and one-off projects are usually quoted separately. These are guide prices, not a quote: we confirm a fixed monthly price after a short review of your set-up.
Read the exclusions as carefully as the inclusions. Common extras are:
A good provider tells you up front what is outside the fee and quotes projects separately.
One in-house IT person brings a salary, visa and benefits, covers one set of skills and is unavailable when on leave or sick. A managed service gives you a team with helpdesk, network, security and Microsoft 365 skills, cover for holidays, and monitoring and security tools that would be expensive to buy alone.
Many growing firms combine the two: an in-house person for day-to-day needs, backed by a managed provider for security, projects and cover.
Ask each provider:
If you are regulated by the DFSA or the FSRA, your IT provider is an outsourced service you remain responsible for. Expect to carry out due diligence, agree contract terms on access, audit rights and where data is held, and oversee the provider on an ongoing basis.
Our guides to IT vendor management and DFSA cyber requirements cover this in detail, and you can see what our IT AMC includes.
Last reviewed 6 October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or regulatory advice. Rules change, so check the current text and take advice from your compliance officer or legal adviser before relying on it.
As a guide, managed IT from Cre8 IT costs AED 250–500 per user per month for essential support (helpdesk, monitoring, patching and antivirus), AED 500–900 with Microsoft 365 administration, cloud systems monitoring and stronger cyber security tools, and AED 950–1,500 for enterprise service with 24/7 SOC as a Service. The exact price depends on the number of users and devices, support hours, on-site time and security, so ask for a quote based on your actual set-up.
An IT annual maintenance contract is a yearly agreement for a provider to support and maintain your IT for a fixed fee. In Dubai the term is often used for managed IT services.
Often, once you count salary, visa, benefits, cover for leave and the tools one person needs to do the job. It also gives you a wider range of skills. Many firms use both.
Yes, with planning. Ask your current provider for documentation, admin passwords and licence details, and give the new provider time to take over before the old contract ends.