UAE thwarts 600,000 cyberattacks daily as AI-driven threats intensify: Cybersecurity Council chief

Abu Dhabi: The UAE faces approximately 600,000 cyberattacks every day, equivalent to around 25,000 attacks per hour or more than 416 attacks per minute, according to Dr Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Chairman of the UAE Cybersecurity Council. Al Kuwaiti said the UAE's advanced cybersecurity capabilities enable authorities to detect and neutralise these attacks without disrupting services for citizens and residents. He noted that the country's modern digital infrastructure plays a critical role in defending against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, while emphasising that readiness, proactive monitoring and rapid response remain key pillars of national cybersecurity. AI increasing complexity of cyber threats Al Kuwaiti said cyberattacks targeting vital institutions and strategic sectors are becoming more sophisticated, particularly with the growing use of artificial intelligence by cybercriminals. He explained that AI is being used to enhance attackers' ability to target systems and networks in increasingly complex and professional ways, making cybersecurity a constantly evolving challenge. Despite the growing threat landscape, he said the UAE's digital security system continues to successfully counter attacks through advanced technologies, proactive monitoring and high levels of operational readiness. Phishing remains major threat According to Al Kuwaiti, phishing attacks continue to rank among the most common cyber threats globally, alongside: Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks Ransomware attacks Data breaches and data deletion attacks Malware infections Attempts to steal sensitive information He added that cyber threats continue to diversify as criminals adopt new tactics aimed at infiltrating systems and compromising critical data. Growing concern over zero-day attacks Dr Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Chairman of the UAE Cybersecurity Council. Al Kuwaiti highlighted zero-day attacks as one of the most serious emerging challenges facing organisations worldwide. Zero-day attacks exploit previously undiscovered software vulnerabilities before developers can issue security updates or patches, making them particularly difficult to detect and defend against. He also warned of the increasing threat posed by attacks targeting digital supply chains, which can affect multiple organisations through vulnerabilities in third-party software or service providers. Building national cyber resilience The Cybersecurity Council chief said the UAE continues to strengthen its cybersecurity capabilities through: Development of advanced digital infrastructure Adoption of the latest cybersecurity technologies Investment in specialised national talent Expansion of cybersecurity awareness programmes Enhancement of national digital resilience He stressed that these efforts are essential to safeguarding the country's digital economy and ensuring the continued security of critical sectors. Al Kuwaiti said the UAE Cybersecurity Council remains committed to developing advanced protection systems and enhancing resilience against future threats, helping protect the country's digital transformation journey and maintain trust in its growing digital ecosystem.