Last year, the UAE was the target of 5 per cent of the world’s cyberattacks. That figure is disturbing for many reasons, not least because it comes at a time when the UAE is actively trying to boost its digital economy.
But by any standard, this number is not a reason to panic, but it is a warning — or wake-up call — to those of us living and working in the UAE to be aware of the hazards of the online world and to seek protection against them. Cybercrime, such as the WannaCry ransomware attacks that started last Thursday and have hit more than 150 countries, are not likely to diminish in the near future. While the UAE does have a nation-wide protective infrastructure, overseen by the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, it is not fool-proof. Individuals and companies both need to be vigilant in their activities and make sure their families or their employees are updated on the best practices to ensure their digital safety.
Companies too must be vigilant. No company can afford to treat technology — let along the security of their technology — as a second-class citizen. In a technology-forward world economic environment, companies must make investments in their infrastructure to ensure it is secure, in the same way a government much make sure its ports, roads and airports are secure. However, more global cooperation is also necessary. One country cannot — not should not — patrol the internet. And no country can solely be blamed. Unless all the affected countries begin to work together, this situation will not resolve itself. Given the world’s reliance on technology, digital security should be everyone’s top priority.
