diff --git a/manila/share/drivers/dell_emc/plugins/powermax/connection.py b/manila/share/drivers/dell_emc/plugins/powermax/connection.py
index 96a9932963..900f58328d 100644
--- a/manila/share/drivers/dell_emc/plugins/powermax/connection.py
+++ b/manila/share/drivers/dell_emc/plugins/powermax/connection.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ class PowerMaxStorageConnection(driver.StorageConnection):
         self.ipv6_implemented = True
         self.dhss_mandatory_security_service_association = {
             'nfs': None,
-            'cifs': 'active_directory',
+            'cifs': ['active_directory', ]
         }
 
     def create_share(self, context, share, share_server=None):
diff --git a/manila/share/drivers/dell_emc/plugins/unity/connection.py b/manila/share/drivers/dell_emc/plugins/unity/connection.py
index cb92013415..ae40a8e58f 100644
--- a/manila/share/drivers/dell_emc/plugins/unity/connection.py
+++ b/manila/share/drivers/dell_emc/plugins/unity/connection.py
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ class UnityStorageConnection(driver.StorageConnection):
         self.driver_handles_share_servers = (True, False)
         self.dhss_mandatory_security_service_association = {
             'nfs': None,
-            'cifs': 'active_directory',
+            'cifs': ['active_directory', ]
         }
 
     def connect(self, emc_share_driver, context):
diff --git a/manila/share/drivers/dell_emc/plugins/vnx/connection.py b/manila/share/drivers/dell_emc/plugins/vnx/connection.py
index 6f0e56ef33..60b3c4ff91 100644
--- a/manila/share/drivers/dell_emc/plugins/vnx/connection.py
+++ b/manila/share/drivers/dell_emc/plugins/vnx/connection.py
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ class VNXStorageConnection(driver.StorageConnection):
         self.ipv6_implemented = True
         self.dhss_mandatory_security_service_association = {
             'nfs': None,
-            'cifs': 'active_directory',
+            'cifs': ['active_directory', ]
         }
 
     def create_share(self, context, share, share_server=None):
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/bug-1940072-dell-manila-fix-cifs-value-type-f65e162ee27d3e67.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/bug-1940072-dell-manila-fix-cifs-value-type-f65e162ee27d3e67.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..831e145835
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/bug-1940072-dell-manila-fix-cifs-value-type-f65e162ee27d3e67.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+fixes:
+  - |
+    Change cifs value from string to list for Dell manila drivers.
+    Fixed `bug 1940072 <https://bugs.launchpad.net/manila/+bug/1940072>`_