Who we are

Your Strategic Partner in Digital Resilience

In the complex regulatory and digital landscape of the UAE, IT is no longer a back-office function—it is the backbone of your business continuity.

My name is Abia Samuel, and I am an IT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Specialist with more than a decade of experience securing high-stakes environments.

Throughout my career, I have observed a critical gap in the Dubai market: SMEs are often forced to choose between overpriced enterprise consultancies or under-qualified support.

I founded Sandstone IT to provide a third option: Enterprise-grade security and managed IT services, tailored to local businesses that need stability, security, and a partner who understands the local landscape.

The Value of a Decade’s Perspective

With over 10 years on the front lines of IT support and cyber defense, I bring a depth of expertise that goes beyond troubleshooting.

My approach is rooted in three core professional pillars:

  • Zero Trust Architecture: I specialize in moving businesses away from outdated "perimeter" security. By implementing Zero Trust frameworks and Phishing-Resistant MFA, I ensure that your identity and your data are protected, regardless of where your team is working.

  • Cloud Governance & Hardening: As businesses migrate to Microsoft 365 and AWS, security often takes a backseat to convenience. I specialize in auditing and "hardening" cloud environments to prevent data leakage and unauthorized access.

  • Business Continuity & Resilience: I believe that a backup is only as good as its recovery time. I design Disaster Recovery (DR) strategies that ensure your operations can survive hardware failure, human error, or a ransomware strike with minimal RTO (Recovery Time Objective).

A Local Specialist for a Global Hub

Based in Dubai, I understand the unique challenges facing local businesses—from the necessity of high-performance remote access for global teams to the requirements of the UAE

Professional Credentials & Standards

Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL)

My mission is to transform your IT from a source of stress into a competitive advantage. I don't just fix systems; I build resilient foundations that allow you to focus on your growth, knowing your digital assets are under expert watch

I hold a Master’s Degree in Information Security from the University of East London, United Kingdom. I also have industry-standard certifications in [CISM, ITIL V4, CompTIA Security+, Azure Security Engineer, ISO 27001 Lead Implementer, Google Cloud Security Engineer (PCSE)] and operate under a strict "Security-First" methodology.

Every engagement is backed by a professional Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), ensuring that your corporate intelligence remains confidential and exclusive to you.

Feature The Generalist Approach The Sandstone Standard
Operational Philosophy Reactive: Fixing systems only after a failure occurs. Proactive: Proactive monitoring to resolve issues before they impact workflow.
Security Framework Basic: Relying on standard antivirus and simple passwords. Zero Trust: Identity Governance, MFA, and Cloud Hardening.
Data Resilience Fragile: Backups exist but are rarely tested for recovery. Resilient: Automated, off-site backups with a documented DR plan.
Regulatory Alignment Overlooked: Systems often non-compliant with local laws. Aligned: Strategies designed around UAE PDPL standards.
Strategic Oversight Short-term: Quick fixes that lead to technical debt. Long-term: 11-year veteran expertise acting as your Virtual CTO.