UAE Cyber Security Council calls for stronger vigilance amid growing AI-driven cyber attacks

Abu Dhabi: The Cyber Security Council of the UAE Government has announced that the nation’s cybersecurity systems have successfully countered malicious ransomware attacks targeting several strategic sectors, including government and private entities. These attacks aimed to breach data and lock digital systems.

The Council revealed that the country’s emergency cyber-response systems, in collaboration with relevant authorities, have proactively and professionally intercepted and neutralised approximately 200,000 cyber attacks daily in recent weeks. Additionally, they have identified the hackers and pinpointed the origins of the attacks, which were managed through advanced protection systems and cybersecurity policies.

The Council further noted the detection of recent, complex hacking attempts supported by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Such advancements present new challenges by targeting critical digital infrastructure. It highlighted a growing trend in cyber threats leveraging AI, not just in areas like deepfake creation and social engineering but also in enhancing the sophistication of malicious software, particularly ransomware.

The Council emphasised that with the ongoing adoption of modern technologies, traditional attacks such as phishing and social engineering are expected to persist. However, there will likely be a significant increase in the complexity of AI-driven cyber attacks, which are harder to detect without advanced technologies.

The Cyber Security Council called on all government and private organisations to comply with cybersecurity standards to ensure protection against such malicious activities. It also urged individuals and institutions to remain vigilant against potential cyber threats. The Council stressed the importance of recognising and avoiding cyber fraud and hacking tools, which are becoming increasingly varied and deceptive.

The Council warned that with the growing availability of sophisticated AI-based tools among criminal groups and terrorist organisations, a new wave of precise and multifaceted cyber attacks is expected to target entities unprepared with adequate detection and response tools.

The public was advised to safeguard personal data, avoid sharing sensitive information through suspicious links or unknown messages, and interact only with official and verified platforms. Emails should be handled cautiously, and links should only be accessed after thorough verification.

Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of the Cyber Security Council, confirmed that all national teams continue to work tirelessly to fortify the UAE’s digital space, protect critical digital infrastructure, and deter any attempts to undermine the nation’s security and resources.

He added that the UAE possesses an advanced digital infrastructure capable of handling diverse types of cyber attacks with high agility, preemptively responding to threats efficiently and within record time.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that infects electronic devices, encrypting and locking their data. Access is only restored upon payment of a specified ransom, often through cryptocurrencies. Such attacks have significant financial implications, costing institutions worldwide hundreds of millions of dollars annually.