UAE Faces 200,000+ Daily Cyberattacks, Says Cyber Security Council

The UAE Cyber Security Council has revealed that cyberattacks targeting strategic sectors in the country have surpassed 200,000 daily. These attacks, originating from cyberterrorist groups across 14 countries, have been tracked, identified, and neutralized using advanced global cybersecurity methods.

The Council disclosed that the government sector was the most targeted, accounting for 30% of attacks, followed by the financial and banking sector at 7%, the education sector at 7%, and the technology, aviation, and healthcare sectors at 4% each. The remaining sectors made up 44% of total cyberattacks.

Cyberterrorist attacks varied in nature, with 40% targeting IT infrastructure, 9% involving file-sharing breaches, and 3% exploiting database vulnerabilities. Persistent threat groups such as “Blackcat” were linked to 51% of ransomware attacks. National cybersecurity systems have identified recurring attack patterns, including incorrect configurations (27%), malware (22%), scanning and login attempts (15%), unauthorized access (15%), phishing (10%), and web attacks (11%).

The Council also highlighted the most dangerous hacking methods, such as denial-of-service attacks on endpoint devices, which made up 39% of total attacks, encryption and data leakage attacks at 37%, internet-connected application breaches at 24%, and ransomware attacks at 7%.

Rising threats powered by artificial intelligence are also posing significant challenges, with attackers leveraging AI to develop more sophisticated malware, execute deepfake campaigns, and enhance phishing techniques. The Council noted that AI-driven cyberattacks are becoming harder to detect, emphasizing the urgent need for advanced cybersecurity measures.

The Council anticipates a continued rise in cyber threats throughout the year, ranging from traditional phishing to complex AI-powered attacks. It urged all government and private entities to comply with national cybersecurity standards to safeguard digital infrastructure and mitigate risks from malicious cyber activities.