The UAE’s Cyber Security Council announced today, Friday, the successful defense of the national cyber systems against miserable cyber-attacks carried out by cyber-terrorist organizations targeting several vital and strategic sectors in the country. The Council stated in today’s announcement that the state’s emergency cyber systems were activated, which “managed to professionally, efficiently, and proactively counter the failed terrorist cyber-attacks.”
The statement also mentioned the identification of the terrorist organizations and the origins of their cyber-attacks, which were dealt with according to the protection systems and cyber security policies. The Council reaffirmed the continuous efforts of all national teams to fortify the state’s digital space in line with the best global practices and standards, highlighting the UAE’s advanced digital infrastructure capable of flexibly and swiftly countering cyber-attacks.
The UAE Cyber Security Council urged all government and private institutions and individuals to be vigilant to avoid the impact of potential cyber-attacks. It emphasized the importance of being aware of hacking and online fraud tools, which come in various forms, to prevent falling victim to cyber-attacks that could harm them.
The UAE has successfully countered a significant number of cyber threats, with more than 71 million attempted cyber attacks blocked in the first three quarters of the year alone. The head of the country’s Cybersecurity Council emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant against hackers and encouraged both public and private sectors to take precautions to safeguard their systems, phones, and data.
Ransomware attacks have been particularly prevalent in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE being the most affected. A report from Group-IB highlighted that 42 companies in the GCC were targeted by ransomware attacks between mid-2021 and mid-2022, with 33% of these companies based in the UAE. The energy, telecoms, IT, and manufacturing sectors were among the most frequently targeted.
The pandemic has exacerbated the cybersecurity threats in the UAE due to the rapid transition to remote work and the accelerated adoption of digital technologies. The country saw a 71% increase in cyber attacks in 2021 compared to 2020 levels. The UAE’s advanced digital economy and smart cities have made it an attractive target for cybercriminals, with ransomware being a significant concern. Various ransomware threat groups have targeted the UAE, with more sophisticated and complex campaigns being observed.
