Compliance
CCTV compliance in the UAE is not a single national standard — it differs by emirate, with Dubai governed by SIRA and Abu Dhabi governed by ADMCC. Understanding which regulator applies to your premises, and what each framework generally requires, is an essential first step before specifying or upgrading any commercial surveillance system.
In the UAE, CCTV regulation is handled at the emirate level rather than federally. Dubai's surveillance systems fall under the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA), which was established under Dubai Law No. 12 of 2016 and sets licensing, technical, and operational requirements for security systems installed in the emirate. Abu Dhabi's commercial CCTV installations are regulated by the Abu Dhabi Monitoring & Control Centre (ADMCC), which issues approval standards covering image resolution, recording retention, and approved integrators. The two frameworks are separate and independent — meeting ADMCC standards does not automatically satisfy SIRA requirements, and vice versa. Emirtech Technology is an ADMCC-approved integrator headquartered in Abu Dhabi, and our CCTV installation delivery scope is Abu Dhabi and Al Ain only; we do not hold SIRA approval and do not deliver CCTV installation projects in Dubai. Requirements in both emirates are periodically updated, so always verify current obligations with the relevant authority before commissioning any installation.
Is your site in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain? Emirtech has no SIRA approval itself, so Dubai CCTV is delivered through SIRA-approved partners, with Emirtech coordinating; in Dubai Emirtech also does IT annual maintenance, time attendance, smart home, PABX, gate barriers and ANPR by site visit. For Abu Dhabi and Al Ain sites we offer a free site survey and an itemised written quotation, and we reply the same working day. See CCTV installation in Abu Dhabi or request a quotation.
In short: CCTV compliance differs by emirate: Dubai is governed by SIRA and Abu Dhabi by ADMCC. Emirtech is ADMCC-approved for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain; it holds no SIRA registration, so Dubai CCTV projects are delivered through SIRA-approved partners, with Emirtech coordinating.
| Dubai | Regulated by SIRA, the Security Industry Regulatory Agency. As we understand it, CCTV installers working in Dubai need SIRA licensing; confirm with SIRA. Emirtech does not hold SIRA registration; Dubai CCTV is installed by SIRA-approved partners, with Emirtech coordinating. |
|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi and Al Ain | Regulated by the Abu Dhabi Monitoring and Control Centre (ADMCC or MCC). Al Ain is part of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Emirtech is an ADMCC-approved installer of security systems and works in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain; the Al Ain service is run from Mussafah and there is no Al Ain office. |
| Which rules apply to my site? | The emirate where the premises stand decides which authority applies, not where the installing company is based. |
| Sites in both emirates | Emirtech can design, install and maintain the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain sites; the Dubai sites are delivered through SIRA-approved partners, with Emirtech coordinating. |
| What to ask any installer | Ask for its approval or licence reference for the emirate, confirm it with the regulator, and ask for a written, itemised quotation after a site survey. |
| Please note | General information as we understand it, not legal advice; confirm requirements with SIRA or the Monitoring and Control Centre. |
| Last reviewed | 15 October 2026 |
Before comparing the frameworks, it helps to understand the institutional background of each body and what their mandates broadly cover.
SIRA is the authority responsible for regulating the security industry in Dubai. It was established under Dubai Law No. 12 of 2016 and sets standards for security companies, security personnel, and security systems — including CCTV, access control, and alarm systems. Companies wishing to install commercial CCTV in Dubai are generally required to be licensed by SIRA, and the systems they install must comply with SIRA's technical specifications. For businesses operating in Dubai, engaging a SIRA-licensed contractor is typically a compliance obligation rather than an option. The precise requirements vary by premises type and are subject to change; always confirm current obligations directly with SIRA or your legal adviser.
The Abu Dhabi Monitoring & Control Centre (widely referred to as ADMCC) oversees surveillance and monitoring infrastructure in Abu Dhabi. Its framework sets minimum standards for commercial CCTV systems including camera resolution, recording retention periods, storage capacity, and system integrity. Integrators wishing to install commercial CCTV systems in Abu Dhabi must be approved by ADMCC. Emirtech Technology holds ADMCC approval and designs all Abu Dhabi commercial installations to comply with current ADMCC requirements from the outset. Details of our ADMCC-approved CCTV installation services are available on our dedicated service page.
The UAE's federal structure means that public safety and security regulation is largely an emirate-level responsibility. As a result, a business operating across multiple emirates may need to satisfy different regulatory bodies depending on where each site is located. A company with offices in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, for example, would need to ensure its Abu Dhabi sites meet ADMCC requirements and its Dubai sites meet SIRA requirements — these are not interchangeable. Al Ain, as part of Abu Dhabi Emirate, falls under ADMCC jurisdiction.
The table below summarises the key differences between the two frameworks at a high level. It is intended as a general orientation guide only. Requirements in both emirates are updated periodically, and the specific obligations that apply to your premises will depend on its category, size, and use. Always confirm current, binding requirements directly with the relevant authority.
| Aspect | SIRA (Dubai) | ADMCC (Abu Dhabi) |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate covered | Dubai | Abu Dhabi (including Al Ain) |
| Parent body | Established by Dubai Law No. 12 of 2016 | Abu Dhabi government |
| Integrator licensing/approval | SIRA licence required to install commercial systems in Dubai (as we understand it; confirm with the regulator) | ADMCC approval required for commercial installations in Abu Dhabi (as we understand it; confirm with the regulator) |
| Scope | CCTV, access control, alarm, security personnel, and broader security industry | Primarily surveillance (CCTV) and monitoring infrastructure for commercial premises |
| Technical standards | Sets minimum camera resolution, recording retention, and system specifications; subject to periodic updates | Sets minimum camera resolution, recording retention, and system integrity requirements; subject to periodic updates |
| Who to contact | SIRA — sira.gov.ae | ADMCC — contact ADMCC directly |
| Emirtech status | Not SIRA-approved — Dubai CCTV installation is delivered through SIRA-approved partners, with Emirtech coordinating | ADMCC-approved integrator |
One important practical note: for commercial premises in Dubai, property owners and facility managers should engage a contractor that holds the appropriate SIRA licence. Emirtech is not SIRA-approved; Dubai CCTV and alarm projects are delivered through SIRA-approved partners, with Emirtech coordinating. For Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, Emirtech's ADMCC approval is for security systems; confirm the exact scope of any project with ADMCC.
Key Compliance Principles
The physical location of the cameras — not the company's registered address or head office — determines which regulatory framework applies. A business headquartered in Abu Dhabi with a Dubai branch must ensure the Dubai site satisfies SIRA requirements, regardless of where the company is based or which integrator it normally uses.
Both SIRA and ADMCC frameworks address minimum image resolution, recording retention duration, and system reliability — not merely whether cameras are present. A system that has cameras but stores footage for too short a period, or records at insufficient resolution for identification purposes, may still fall short of compliance. Engaging an approved integrator from the design stage helps ensure specifications are met from the outset.
Both frameworks are living regulatory instruments; technical standards, retention requirements, and licensing conditions are revised over time. What was compliant at the time of a previous installation may not satisfy current requirements. Before commissioning a new system or upgrading an existing one, confirm the current applicable standards directly with SIRA (for Dubai) or ADMCC (for Abu Dhabi).
Emirtech Technology was founded in Abu Dhabi in 2018 and holds ADMCC approval, which is a formal requirement for installing commercial CCTV systems in Abu Dhabi. All of Emirtech's Abu Dhabi and Al Ain commercial installations are designed and commissioned in line with ADMCC standards, and every project begins with a free site survey to ensure the proposed system meets current regulatory requirements as well as the client's operational needs.
Emirtech does not hold a SIRA licence; Dubai CCTV and alarm projects are delivered through SIRA-approved partners, with Emirtech coordinating. Any CCTV work in Dubai must be done by a SIRA-licensed contractor; we say so plainly rather than misrepresent our approvals. We believe clients deserve honest guidance on compliance obligations from the outset.
For clients with premises in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Emirtech can design, install and maintain the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain sites end-to-end under our ADMCC approval; the Dubai sites are delivered through SIRA-approved partners, with Emirtech coordinating, and you should still verify the partner's licence. See our CCTV installation service in Abu Dhabi page for the full scope of what we deliver.
Establish which emirate each premises is located in and which regulatory body applies — ADMCC for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, SIRA for Dubai. If you operate sites in multiple emirates, treat each separately.
Contact ADMCC or SIRA directly — or consult a licensed/approved integrator — to obtain the current technical standards applicable to your premises category. Do not rely solely on older guidance or informal sources, as requirements are periodically updated.
For Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, ensure your integrator holds ADMCC approval. For Dubai, the work must be done by a SIRA-licensed contractor. Emirtech is ADMCC-approved for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, but does not hold SIRA approval; Dubai CCTV and alarm projects are delivered through SIRA-approved partners, with Emirtech coordinating.
A qualified engineer visits the site to assess camera positions, cable routes, recording infrastructure, and storage requirements against current regulatory standards. Emirtech's site surveys are free and carry no obligation.
The system design should specify camera resolution, recording retention, storage capacity, and any other parameters required to meet the applicable framework. The quotation should be fully itemised so you can see exactly what you are paying for. Contact Emirtech at [email protected] or call +971 55 651 7843 to arrange a free survey, or use our online form to request a free quotation.
Answers
Get a free site survey and no-obligation quotation from Abu Dhabi's ADMCC-approved security specialists.
Talk to Emirtech's engineers — we reply the same working day across Abu Dhabi & Al Ain. CCTV, security, IT, AV and smart-building solutions.
Mon–Sat 8AM–7PM · [email protected] · Since 2018 · ADMCC-approved for security systems