The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is confronting a significant rise in cyber threats, experiencing between 90,000 and 200,000 attempted breaches each day, many of which are attributed to state-sponsored actors. This alarming statistic was shared by Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, the head of the Cyber Security Council, who highlighted the complexities of the cybersecurity environment in the region.
This weekend, the Cyber Security Council announced that it had successfully neutralized a series of organized cyber attacks targeting critical infrastructure. The authority described these incidents as having a “terrorist nature,” although specific targets were not revealed. The attacks involved sophisticated techniques such as network infiltration, ransomware deployment, and phishing campaigns, utilizing artificial intelligence technologies to enhance offensive capabilities.
Dr. Al Kuwaiti pointed out that the increasing geopolitical tensions in North Africa, the Gulf, and the Middle East have exacerbated threats in the digital space, with disinformation and hacktivist actions on the rise. Over the past decade, the UAE has committed to strengthening its cybersecurity measures, aiming to become a leader in cybersecurity expertise and talent exportation.