UAE Blocks 200,000 Ransomware Attacks Daily – Losses Near One Billion

The UAE Cyber Security Council announced the successful prevention of malicious ransomware attacks targeting strategic sectors across public and private entities. Emergency cybersecurity systems intercepted approximately 200,000 daily cyberattacks, leveraging advanced protection frameworks and policies.  

Hackers and attack origins were identified, with many using AI technologies for sophisticated breaches, including deepfakes, social engineering, and AI-enhanced ransomware, the Khaleej Times reports.

The Council noted a rising trend in AI-driven threats, posing complex challenges to digital infrastructure. While traditional attacks like phishing persist, AI-powered cyberattacks are expected to grow significantly, requiring cutting-edge detection technologies.

Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Chairman of the Cyber Security Council, emphasized the UAE's robust digital infrastructure and national commitment to securing critical systems. He urged public and private entities to comply with cybersecurity standards, remain vigilant, and avoid disclosing personal information through suspicious links.

The Council warned of AI tools increasingly used by criminal organizations, raising the risk of precision-targeted attacks. It stressed the importance of safeguarding personal data and ensuring communication authenticity. Ransomware attacks have already cost the region approximately $1 billion, highlighting the urgency for proactive defenses.

“The UAE, which is part of a very complex geopolitical region, faces challenges inherited from the region. The UAE is about to become an AI nation which comes with its sets of challenges,” said Lt. Col. Saeed AlShebli, deputy director of the Digital Security Department, Ministry of Interior, UAE, while speaking during a panel discussion, at the FutureSec Summit 2024.

“Advance persistent threats (APTs) are top of the list of challenges that we are facing in public and private sectors.”

Takeaway: In the context of the UAE's recent ransomware attacks, the theft of sensitive data from suppliers and organizations extends beyond a corporate concern, posing significant risks to national security and economic stability.  

In sectors like energy and critical infrastructure, ransomware attacks often include data exfiltration, which serves as a potent tool for follow-up operations.

Attackers could exploit stolen data, such as technical blueprints, system configurations, and operational protocols, to orchestrate precision-targeted attacks on downstream entities like energy producers.  

These organizations oversee infrastructure critical to powering homes, businesses, hospitals, and essential services. A coordinated cyber assault leveraging exfiltrated information could lead to widespread disruptions, safety hazards, or long-term instability in supply chains.

In the UAE, where digital infrastructure is foundational to national development, any breach targeting critical sectors could have profound consequences. Cybercriminals, particularly those using advanced AI technologies, might exploit vulnerabilities in operational technology (OT) systems, potentially disrupting power grids or sabotaging energy facilities.  

Such incidents could incapacitate key regions, severely impact economic activity, and erode public confidence in the nation’s ability to protect essential services.

‍

Halcyon.ai eliminates the business impact of ransomware. Modern enterprises rely on Halcyon to prevent ransomware attacks, eradicating cybercriminals’ ability to encrypt systems, steal data, and extort companies – talk to a Halcyon expert today to find out more and check out the Halcyon Attacks Lookout resource site. Halcyon also publishes a quarterly RaaS and extortion group reference guide, Power Rankings: Ransomware Malicious Quartile.