The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched the Cybersecurity Council's report titled 'Cybersecurity Situation Report for the United Arab Emirates 2025', which provides an in-depth analysis of the rapidly evolving cybersecurity threats in the UAE, highlighting the urgent need for advanced cybersecurity measures to address the increasing complexity and sophistication of cyber attacks. The report highlights the current precarious situation, where over 223,800 assets in the UAE are exposed to potential cyber attacks, with half of the critical vulnerabilities remaining unaddressed for more than five years. This exposure, combined with the sudden surge in advanced cyber attacks, underscores the pressing need to build robust cybersecurity defenses in the region, which is at the forefront of technological innovation, artificial intelligence, and geo-strategic importance. The report also examines the main trends that shape the current cybersecurity challenges, including poor configuration, which is responsible for 32% of cyber incidents, followed by misuse and illegal activities at 19%, with government, financial, and energy sectors being the most targeted. In 2024, random downloads remained a common method used by threat actors, with concerns also raised about phishing and web server breaches. These methods have become more complex due to the integration of artificial intelligence, social engineering, and deep fake technology. This trend is exacerbated by the financial consequences of data breaches, with the Middle East, including the UAE, experiencing the second-highest costs for data breaches globally, reflecting the economic goals of threat actors, who stand behind cyber threats in the backdrop of the Gulf region's prosperity. Electronic crimes continue to pose a significant threat, with several ransomware groups operating in the UAE, growing by 58%. On the positive side, the UAE witnessed a significant decline in distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks from 58,538 to 2,301 in the first half of 2023 to the first half of 2024. Dr. Mohammed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE's Cybersecurity Council, said: 'As we stand at the threshold of a new era driven by emerging technologies, the increasing rate of AI-based attacks and the expansion of cybersecurity capabilities require us to be more vigilant in securing the future, and we must continue to enhance international cooperation, innovation, and commitment, and together build a secure digital Emirates that thrives with innovation and opportunities and maintains its resilience and ability to withstand any challenges.' On the other hand, Hadi Anwar, CEO of 'Sibos', said: 'The latest cybersecurity report addresses the strategies, policies, and innovations that drive digital transformation in the UAE, as well as the complexities related to protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive data, and reflects the UAE's commitment to creating a safe environment where digital progress and national resilience go hand in hand.' The report highlights the unique cybersecurity challenges facing the UAE, including the increasing threats supported by artificial intelligence, advanced tactics used by cybercriminals, and ongoing advanced threats, where threat actors, backed by governments, are integrating artificial intelligence into their attack methods. It also emphasizes the need for the UAE to enhance its defensive capabilities and improve cybersecurity awareness across all sectors.
https://www.aletihad.ae/news/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA/4554882/-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A--%D9%88-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%83%D8%B3--%D9%8A%D8%B5%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1-2025