Cybersecurity Report 2025 highlights UAE's forward-thinking strategies
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)The "State of the UAE Cybersecurity Report 2025", released by the UAE Cyber Security Council and CPX, a leading provider of end-to-end cyber and physical security solutions and services, stressed that cybersecurity is critical for safeguarding national security, economic stability, and digital transformation.According to the report, cyber threats have been magnified with the adoption of advanced technologies, with a 58% increase in active ransomware groups as of 2024.The report also notes a surge of infostealer malware, with RedLine Stealer accounting for 69.9% of infections in the UAE, while MetaStealer accounted for 13.1%, Lumma Stealer for 12.6%, and Vidar for 4.4%.The report indicates that the number of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks is really reduced and serves as a hallmark success of the UAE's cybersecurity architecture.The UAE witnessed a total of 2,301 DDoS attacks in the first half of 2024, marking a 96.09% decrease compared to previous years, the report said.The peak bandwidth of these attacks has also fallen by 67.7% from 266.9 Gbps to 85.92 Gbps, another noticeable advancement in the progress of the UAE cybersecurity strategies.Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, said in the report: "The UAE has long recognised the critical role of cybersecurity in safeguarding our national security, economic stability and digital future. Through proactive measures, such as the establishment of the National Cybersecurity Strategy and key partnerships with international stakeholders, we have laid a strong foundation for a safer digital ecosystem. 2024 was a milestone year for the UAE as we ranked at the top of the 'Pioneering Model' category in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI). This recognition is a testament to our forward-thinking strategies, robust policies, and the collaboration of both the public and private sectors in protecting our digital infrastructure."Hadi Anwar, Chief Executive Officer of CPX, said in the report: "This report offers a comprehensive view of the UAE's cybersecurity landscape. It delves into the strategies, policies, and innovations shaping the nation's digital transformation while addressing the complexities of protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive data. The UAE's remarkable progress in cybersecurity reflects a commitment to creating a secure environment where digital advancements and national resilience go hand in hand."
The report also highlighted the need for AI governance frameworks toward ethical AI use, enhanced cybersecurity across multiple sectors, as well as cybersecurity audits for compliance with global standards.
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