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Mid East Info
07-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Help AG report defines AI, quantum and resilience as the new cybersecurity frontiers for the GCC - Middle East Business News and Information
Help AG's highly anticipated State of the Market Report 2025 calls for urgent quantum-readiness and AI-powered cyber autonomy, as Distributed Denial-of-Service cyberattacks in the UAE surged from 38,797 in 2019 to 373,429 in 2024; a staggering 862.45% increase, Help AG observed. Offering deep insights into the most pressing cyber trends across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the State of the Market Report 2025 was unveiled at an exclusive media roundtable on Day 1 of GISEC Global. Dubai, UAE / Riyadh, KSA – May, 2025: Help AG, the cybersecurity arm of e& enterprise and the region's leading Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP), unveiled its highly anticipated State of the Market Report 2025 on Day 1 of GISEC Global ( May 6-8; Dubai World Trade Centre ). The Help AG report explores how AI-driven attacks, data-centric threats, and quantum-readiness are reshaping enterprise and government security strategies across the GCC. Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) cyberattacks in the UAE surged from 38,797 in 2019 to 373,429 in 2024 — a staggering 862.45% increase, as observed by Help AG. The report reveals a sharp escalation not only in volume but also in sophistication, with attacks becoming more targeted and persistent. In one instance, a single DDoS attack lasted more than 35 days in 2024. While volumetric attacks were fewer, the strategic focus on government and critical infrastructure is raising significant alarm across the cybersecurity community. Offering deep intelligence into the most pressing cyber trends across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the State of the Market Report 2025 was unveiled at an exclusive media roundtable at GISEC Global. Speaking at the sidelines of the launch, Stephan Berner, Chief Executive Officer of Help AG, said: 'We are witnessing a shift from cybersecurity to cyber autonomy where systems don't just defend, they decide. In a region driving the world's most ambitious digital projects, automation alone is not enough. Autonomy, built on trust, intelligence, and sovereign infrastructure, is the new frontier.' Nicolai Solling, Chief Technology Officer of Help AG, added: 'Resilience in cybersecurity now means protecting the technologies shaping our future—AI, quantum computing, and the expanding digital ecosystem. At Help AG, we enable organizations to stay not only secure, but agile in the face of rapid innovation and growing complexity.' KEY INSIGHTS – GCC Escalating Threats from AI and Data Breaches: Help AG's report highlights the rise of GenAI-powered phishing and impersonation attacks that are faster, stealthier, and harder to detect. Phishing remains the top threat vector, initiating 90% of incidents in 2024, while credential-based breaches were involved in nearly 45% of reported cases. Ransomware has continued to evolve, with 66% of organizations in the GCC impacted and many facing 'double extortion' tactics. The consequences are not just operational as 36% of companies that suffered breaches reported board or C-suite fallout. Data Exfiltration Increases: The Help AG report highlights the concerning rate of data exfiltration attacks, which are becoming more sophisticated, using stealthy tools like collaboration apps and cloud storage to siphon information undetected. Attackers are able to quietly steal data, making breaches harder to trace and more damaging. This shift demands advanced monitoring and tighter controls on outbound traffic and third-party integrations. Quantum Risk on the Horizon: Help AG is calling on enterprises and government bodies to proactively adopt post-quantum cryptography, to protect long-life data assets against growing vulnerabilities. With a year-on-year spike of 236% in Security-as-a-Service adoption, increased cloud misconfigurations, and evolving Operational Technology/Internet of Things (IoT) threats, the Help AG report outlines a roadmap of priority investments. TOP PRIORITIES FOR 2025 Securing AI Ecosystems and Critical Data: With GenAI-driven threats escalating, organizations must secure their AI models, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and sensitive data pipelines. Help AG highlights the urgent need for securing both human and machine users across the full AI lifecycle, backed by robust governance, API protection, and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) observability. Identity & Access Management (IAM): Strengthening IAM with adaptive authentication, behavioral monitoring, and advanced access controls is now foundational to defending critical assets. Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM): Cloud misconfigurations and human error remain leading causes of breaches. Robust CSPM strategies help organizations proactively identify, prioritize, and remediate risks across multi-cloud environments, supporting secure, compliant growth. AI-Powered Detection and Response (UEBA/NDR): As cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, AI-driven solutions like User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) and Network Detection and Response (NDR) are critical for real-time threat detection, insider risk management, and adaptive incident response. Quantum-Readiness Assessment and Strategy Development: While quantum computing threats are still emerging, Help AG stresses the need to act now. Organizations must assess crypto-inventories, prioritize migration planning, and integrate post-quantum security into long-term strategies to protect high-value assets. Cybersecurity Consolidation and Platformization: With complexity becoming a major risk, organizations are accelerating cybersecurity consolidation—favoring unified platforms that integrate detection, response, threat intelligence, and compliance. Help AG's report shows a strong shift toward multi-year OPEX-driven models and managed security services, aligning investments to business outcomes. Building Cyber Resilience by Design: In today's world, cyber resilience defines competitive advantage. Help AG advocates investing in integrated backup, recovery, Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) capabilities, and managed cyber defense services—ensuring organizations can contain, recover, and thrive after incidents, not just prevent them. About Help AG: Help AG, an e& enterprise company, is a recognized leader in next-generation cybersecurity technology and innovation. We combine strategic consulting with bespoke information security solutions and services to empower governments and enterprises across the Middle East and Africa to secure their digital transformation journey while maintaining a competitive edge. Leveraging e&'s robust technology portfolio, vast market reach, and deep expertise, Help AG enables organizations in the region with the tools and capabilities needed to confidently navigate the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape. Our advanced security offerings, coupled with a commitment to cybersecurity innovation and compliance, ensure that our customers benefit from unparalleled resilience and agility in an increasingly digital world. As a trusted partner to both governments and enterprises, Help AG is dedicated to fostering a secure and compliant digital environment, helping our clients thrive in their digital endeavors. About e& enterprise: e& enterprise is a digital transformation leader supporting governments and large-scale organisations in building and scaling their digital core. Through optimising operations, enhancing customer engagement, and data-driven decision-making, we enable seamless, sustainable, and secure transitions into the evolving digital world. Currently operating in the UAE, KSA, Egypt, Oman, Türkiye, Qatar, and South Africa, e& enterprise brings cutting-edge digital scalable solutions designed to deliver tangible business value and address the unique challenges faced by organisations and executives across industries. With a proven track record as a trusted digital transformation partner, technical expertise, and the ability to deploy and manage complex solutions, e& enterprise provides collaborative tailored solutions that empower customers to navigate their end-to-end digital transformation journey.
Khaleej Times
03-04-2025
- Khaleej Times
Viral Ghibli trend: UAE experts warn of data leak risk, privacy concerns
A new trend of transforming images into Studio Ghibli-inspired avatars, facilitated by AI technology, has splashed all over the internet. Individuals are transforming their personal photos into dreamy art styles made famous by Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation studio. However, as it grows, cybersecurity experts are sounding the alarm about the potential risks they pose to users' sensitive data. Unlike passwords, facial features can't be changed if compromised, making this data especially vulnerable. "The use of these avatars introduces significant risks, primarily related to personal data," said Nicolai Solling, Chief Technology Officer at Help AG. He stressed several cybersecurity risks associated with the use of Ghibli avatars. "When creating avatars, users often upload photos that capture detailed facial features, which can include biometric data that is irreplaceable if compromised." A Ghibli avatar is a digital representation of an individual or character created in the distinctive art style made famous by Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation studio known for its hand-drawn animation techniques. Solling pointed out that, in addition to facial features, uploaded images may contain hidden metadata, such as device details and location, which could inadvertently expose sensitive information about the user's whereabouts. "The risk of leaking personal details increases when these images are uploaded to avatar platforms," he added. Moreover, many AI-driven platforms utilise user-uploaded data to enhance their algorithms. "Unless users are paying for the service, their images, including facial data, may be used to train AI models, raising serious concerns about data ownership and privacy," Solling warned. The lack of transparency on these platforms compounds the issue, as users may not fully understand how their data is being used or stored, potentially leading to long-term consequences. Privacy concerns also manifest in the context of digital personas, particularly regarding impersonation and the loss of personal recognition. "The growing reliance on avatars for digital interactions could diminish our ability to recognise individuals in the way we traditionally do, which is crucial for authentication," Solling noted. If not managed properly, this trend could erode trust and personal identity in digital spaces. Additionally, there are vulnerabilities related to platform security and facial recognition technology. Solling mentioned, "The platforms used to create avatars may store high-resolution images that could be exposed in a data breach. As facial recognition technology becomes more prevalent, there's a risk that high-quality avatars could be misused to bypass security systems, even if such technology doesn't currently exist." On Monday, signups for ChatGPT hit 1 million in an hour, following the launch of the image-generation feature that simulates the artwork of Hayao Miyazaki. Social media experts have also voiced their concerns, highlighting the surge in user engagement driven by Ghibli avatars. "While these avatars allow for creativity and self-expression, users must remain vigilant about the potential privacy implications," said Sarah Johnson, a social media strategist. "It's essential to educate users on how their data is utilised and to encourage them to review privacy settings on these platforms." She added, "The excitement around Ghibli avatars can lead to a lack of caution among users. Brands and platforms need to provide transparency about data handling practices to build trust. It's crucial that as this trend grows, we prioritise user education to mitigate risks." Despite the allure of this trend, some individuals have chosen not to participate out of respect for Studio Ghibli and its legacy. Eiman Idris, an e-commerce specialist and websites manager, shared her perspective: "I won't consider myself a fan of Studio Ghibli, but I grew up watching some of their amazing shows. That studio is filled with creativity that inspires me. I even gave our family car a nickname based on one of the characters, keeping 30 years of memories fresh." She explained her choice not to use AI for creating Studio Ghibli-styled photos: "Part of me is a creative person. I appreciate all forms of art. When I came across Mr. Miyazaki's opinion on the subject, it felt like an attack on anyone who respects artists. Getting inspired by other artists doesn't mean merely copying and pasting results generated by AI. I don't see this trend as true self-expression."
