UAE among top 12 targets for cyber threats, says Microsoft
The UAE is ranked sixth internationally as a target of cyber attacks in an analysis by Microsoft . The US topped the rankings in Microsoft's Digital Defence Report , which monitored cyber crime activity affecting customers from January to June of this year. Next came Israel , Ukraine, Taiwan, the UK and the UAE . India, Japan, Canada, Germany, Australia and the Philippines completed the top 12.…
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks sixth globally as a target for cyber attacks, according to an analysis conducted by Microsoft. This finding, highlighted in Microsoft's Digital Defence Report, indicates the UAE's prominence among the top 12 countries affected by cybercrime between January and June 2023. The US and Israel topped the rankings.
Microsoft noted that Iran's state-aligned threat actors rely on exploiting known vulnerabilities, weak authentication, and exposed internet-facing systems for initial access, often employing credential harvesting and phishing tactics. The UAE's Cyber Security Council, in collaboration with Microsoft and Core42, plans to deploy Microsoft's AI-powered cybersecurity capability, MDASH, across government entities in the UAE.
This move aims to enhance risk prioritization and swift response to emerging threats. Yazan Khasawneh, director of cybersecurity at Microsoft in the UAE, emphasized the critical role of cybersecurity as the UAE integrates AI into governmental and business operations. He stressed the importance of integrating cybersecurity measures during AI adoption, identity management, data protection, and continuity planning.
In August, the UAE Cyber Security Council reported successful detection and containment of advanced, organized cyber attacks against critical sectors such as aviation, energy, and education. These efforts are part of the UAE's commitment to becoming a "net exporter of cyber security talent" and combating cyber crime, cyber terrorism, and cyber warfare.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
