More than 71 million attempted cyber attacks in the UAE have been blocked in the first three quarters of the year, the head of the country's Cybersecurity Council said.
Despite authorities successfully fending off the attacks, Dr Mohammed Al Kuwaiti called on organisations to remain vigilant against hackers.
He urged the public and the private sector to take precautions to protect their systems, phones and data from being hacked.
The National also spoke to cyber security experts who laid out the steps required to keep data safe from criminals.
“The UAE deterred more than 71 million cyber attacks in the first three quarters of 2023,” Dr Al Kuwaiti said.
“The cyber security system is important as it is the first front line for organisations and entities. Amid the major development in the digital era, the council is playing a key role in foiling cyber attacks."
The Cybersecurity Council was established by in 2020 as cyber threats and attacks surged around the globe.
The council is responsible for legislation to strengthen cyber security, subject to UAE Cabinet approval.
Dr Al Kuwaiti said in May that the country was fending off more than 50,000 cyber attacks a day.
He said in March that ransomware attacks in the UAE declined by more than 70 per cent at the start of 2023, compared with the same period during 2022.
About two in three businesses (64 per cent) in the country was the victim of a ransomware attack last year, according to a report from cyber security firm Proofpoint.
Rising number of attacks
Nicolai Solling, chief technology officer at tech firm Help AG, told The National that cyber attacks were on the rise globally.
He said every sector was a target for cyber security attacks.
“We work with organisations from various sectors, and we deal with 50 potential incidents every day, generating two trillion data points per year,” he said.
The cyber security expert said the threats were evolving and becoming more sophisticated all the time.
Ransomware continues to be a major issue when it came to cyber security, he added.
“When we look into what is impacting the average user, we find that scams and fraud are among the top threats," Mr Solling said.
"In the modern day, these threats take an electronic form because that is how we live our lives.”
How a company or a person responds to a cyber attack could determine its effect, Mr Solling said.
“The difference between surviving a cyber attack and collapsing under its weight is in how the organisation reacts to it. It is vital to have a detailed response plan in place," he said.
"Think of it like having a spare tyre in your car. You don't plan to get a puncture, but you need a backup in case it happens."
Severe penalties in place
Emirati lawyer Mohammad Al Najjar told The National that the UAE has strict laws and legislation against cyber security crimes.
“There are popular crimes such as e-fraud, hacking and digital piracy. There are difficulties in catching the cyber crimes suspects as they are working from outside the UAE,” Mr Al Najjar said.
“The person committing the cyber crime might be outside the country hacking the systems. It requires collaboration between the countries regarding the laws and extradition of suspects through Interpol.”
Mr Al Najjar said offenders faced stiff penalties when they were caught.
“Anyone who causes damage or halts a website will be jailed for six months and fined between Dh150,000 and Dh500,000 [$40,844 to $136,147],” he added.
For hacking a government website, the penalty is a seven-year jail sentence and a fine of between Dh250,000 and Dh1.5 million.
How to stay safe from cyber attacks
Mr Solling has compiled several tips to help the public reduce the threat from hackers.
- Install software updates, do not use your work devices for personal use and, vice versa, ensure your device is secured before using public Wi-Fi networks
- Turn on multifactor authentication on all platforms
- Never reuse a password. This way, if a cyber attacker is able to crack one of your passwords, the damage is limited to a single account, instead of compromising your whole digital identity
- If you find yourself being pushed to take urgent action – “if you don’t click this link, your bank account will be blocked” – pause and think about how you should react
- You can always call your bank from a verified number to confirm any communication is legitimate
- Remember that in general, companies will not ask you to share confidential information, including passwords, OTP codes, account details, or credit card information over channels such as phone, email and messaging services
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
MATCH INFO
Championship play-offs, second legs:
Aston Villa 0
Middlesbrough 0
(Aston Villa advance 1-0 on aggregate)
Fulham 2
Sessegnon (47'), Odoi (66')
Derby County 0
(Fulham advance 2-1 on aggregate)
Final
Saturday, May 26, Wembley. Kick off 8pm (UAE)
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE BIO
Age: 30
Favourite book: The Power of Habit
Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"
Favourite exercise: The snatch
Favourite colour: Blue
8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21
- Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
- Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
- Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
- Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
- Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
- Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
- Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
- Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
'Peninsula'
Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Ra
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Rating: 2/5
Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) US$100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
8.15pm: Meydan Challenge Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
8.50pm: Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
9.25pm: Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections
6.30pm: Final Song
7.05pm: Pocket Dynamo
7.40pm: Dubai Icon
8.15pm: Dubai Legacy
8.50pm: Drafted
9.25pm: Lucius Tiberius
'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai,
HBKU Press
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
RESULT
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 0 Al Ain 6
Al Ain: Caio (5', 73'), El Shahat (10'), Berg (65'), Khalil (83'), Al Ahbabi (90' 2)
NINE WINLESS GAMES
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace (Oct 27, PL)
Liverpool 5-5 Arsenal (Oct 30, EFL)
Arsenal 1-1 Wolves (Nov 02, PL)
Vitoria Guimaraes 1-1 Arsenal (Nov 6, Europa)
Leicester 2-0 Arsenal (Nov 9, PL)
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton (Nov 23, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt (Nov 28, Europa)
Norwich 2-2 Arsenal (Dec 01, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Brighton (Dec 05, PL)
Fighter profiles
Gabrieli Pessanha (Brazil)
Reigning Abu Dhabi World Pro champion in the 95kg division, virtually unbeatable in her weight class. Known for her pressure game but also dangerous with her back on the mat.
Nathiely de Jesus, 23, (Brazil)
Two-time World Pro champion renowned for her aggressive game. She is tall and most feared by her opponents for both her triangles and arm-bar attacks.
Thamara Ferreira, 24, (Brazil)
Since her brown belt days, Ferreira has been dominating the 70kg, in both the World Pro and the Grand Slams. With a very aggressive game.
Samantha Cook, 32, (Britain)
One of the biggest talents coming out of Europe in recent times. She is known for a highly technical game and bringing her A game to the table as always.
Kendall Reusing, 22, (USA)
Another young gun ready to explode in the big leagues. The Californian resident is a powerhouse in the -95kg division. Her duels with Pessanha have been highlights in the Grand Slams.
Martina Gramenius, 32, (Sweden)
Already a two-time Grand Slam champion in the current season. Gramenius won golds in the 70kg, in both in Moscow and Tokyo, to earn a spot in the inaugural Queen of Mats.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
No Shame
Lily Allen
(Parlophone)
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East
Orlando Crowcroft
Zed Books
MATCH DETAILS
Juventus 2 (Bonucci 36, Ronaldo 90 6)
Genoa 1 (Kouame 40)
