Over 71 million cyber attacks have been successfully blocked in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the first three quarters of 2023, according to the head of the country’s Cybersecurity Council, Dr Mohammed Al Kuwaiti. Despite this achievement, Dr Al Kuwaiti has urged organizations to maintain their vigilance against hackers. He has called on both the public and private sectors to take necessary precautions in order to protect their systems, phones, and data from being compromised.
The UAE has been actively working towards strengthening its cybersecurity measures in response to the rising global cyber threats and attacks. The Cybersecurity Council, established in 2020, plays a crucial role in foiling cyber attacks and is responsible for implementing legislation to enhance cybersecurity, subject to approval from the UAE Cabinet.
In May, Dr Al Kuwaiti revealed that the country was successfully averting more than 50,000 cyber attacks daily. He further noted that ransomware attacks in the UAE had decreased by over 70% compared to the same period in 2022. These statistics highlight the importance of maintaining robust cybersecurity measures, especially considering that around 64% of businesses in the UAE experienced ransomware attacks last year.
Cybersecurity experts have emphasized that cyber attacks are a global concern, affecting every sector across industries. Nicolai Solling, the chief technology officer at tech firm Help AG, stated that they deal with 50 potential incidents on a daily basis, generating an astounding two trillion data points annually. Solling has also highlighted the evolving and increasingly sophisticated nature of cyber threats, with ransomware attacks remaining a significant issue in the realm of cybersecurity.
Protecting oneself or a company against cyber attacks is crucial, and the response to such attacks can determine their impact. Solling emphasized the importance of having a detailed response plan in place, comparing it to having a spare tire in a car to prepare for unforeseen circumstances. Responding effectively to cyber attacks can mean the difference between survival and debilitating consequences for an organization.
The UAE has strict laws and legislation in place to combat cyber security crimes. Offenses such as e-fraud, hacking, and digital piracy carry severe penalties, with offenders risking imprisonment and hefty fines. However, catching cyber criminals can be challenging, as they often operate from outside the UAE. Collaboration between countries plays a vital role in addressing this issue, as well as enforcing laws and facilitating the extradition of suspects through international organizations like Interpol.
To help the public reduce the threat of cyber attacks, Mr Solling has compiled several tips. These include staying informed about the latest threats, regularly updating software and systems, using strong and unique passwords, implementing multi-factor authentication, being cautious of phishing attempts, and regularly backing up data.
In conclusion, the UAE’s efforts to proactively combat cyber attacks have yielded positive results, with over 71 million attempts blocked in the first three quarters of 2023 alone. However, the importance of remaining vigilant and taking necessary precautions cannot be overstated. Organizations and individuals must prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect their systems, phones, and data from malicious actors.
