Latest news with #Solling
Al Etihad
06-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE sees 862% surge in cyberattacks in 5 years as nation rises as global tech hub
7 May 2025 00:47 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (DUBAI)Cyberattacks in the UAE have skyrocketed by an alarming 862.45% over the past five years, according to the newly released State of the Market Report 2025 from cybersecurity company Help AG, part of e& (Etisalat). The spike in attacks comes as the UAE rises as a global financial centre and an emerging technology hub, which experts at GISEC on Tuesday said made it increasingly desirable to hackers and bad actors from around the world. 'The UAE is a business hub for the Middle East, which means that automatically, there will also be a lot of attacks,' Help AG's Chief Technology Officer, Nicolai Solling, told Aletihad on Tuesday. The report, launched at GISEC Global in Dubai, highlighted 373,429 "distributed denial-of-service (DDoS)" attacks in 2024 alone, up from just 38,797 in 2019 — underscoring a dramatic escalation in both the volume and sophistication of cyber threats. DDos attacks refer to a type of cyberattack that is used to overwhelm applications and online platforms. Solling said these attacks were becoming more sophisticated as AI and bot technology advanced. The report identified AI-driven attacks, data breaches, and emerging quantum risks as the core cybersecurity frontiers for 2025. Although phishing scams remained the primary threat in the region, initiating 90% of cyber incidents, while credential-based breaches were involved in 45% of cases. Government Support Nevertheless, Solling said the UAE was well placed to fight the incoming cyberattacks, with the government leading initiatives to ensure the country, its population and its infrastructure were equipped to tackle threats. 'The UAE Government is focusing a lot on making sure that we have a secure environment. Because if you look at what the UAE is doing, they're trying to create a society which is powered by digital transformation and the electronic services that we have as citizens,' he said. 'They also want to attract business. And one of the things that's important for that is to deliver an environment where we can continuously operate even on this kind of things.' Region-wide IssueA separate report, released by cloud computing company Cloudflare, found that the region was also finding itself increasingly at the centre of attacks — with 52% of surveyed organisations experiencing at least 10 cybersecurity incidents in the last 10 months. Speaking to the crowd at GISEC, Cloudflare CTO Christian Reilly said the region's burgeoning AI and tech industry would only increase its susceptibility to attacks. 'The Middle East is becoming a very attractive place for the bad actors,' he said. This was echoed by Aarti Borkar, Corporate Vice President for Microsoft Security, who warned that vulnerabilities — particularly with the amount of data sharing now occurring with AI — were getting worse. She said it would be crucial for companies to come up with new strategies to ensure they were cyber-ready in the AI age. 'Most people turn red when you ask them a question, because they don't want to admit there is a problem,' she said. 'The good news is that the solutions are there, just go out and get them.'
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."
Khaleej Times
12-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Teach AI in schools to tackle future cybersecurity threats, say experts
In the UAE, experts are increasingly calling for artificial intelligence (AI) to be taught in schools and universities as cybersecurity threats rise. They argue that equipping future leaders with necessary skills to combat these challenges is vital for addressing skills shortage in the AI field. Muhannad Tayem, Partner in the Government & Public Sector at Deloitte Middle East, emphasised the urgency of introducing AI concepts into educational curricula. 'We need to start teaching AI fundamentals in schools as early as possible. Furthermore, integrating AI into various subjects at the university level is essential, especially when it comes to practical use cases,' he said. Tayem also highlighted the importance of preparing for cyberattacks, noting that these threats can significantly impact national security and a country's global reputation. "Investment in this area is critical, as a successful cyberattack can lead to financial losses and affect the economy." To build readiness against cyber threats, Tayem stressed the need for comprehensive investment in several areas. This includes raising awareness among citizens about potential threats, developing recovery plans, securing critical data, and adopting the right technologies. 'A strategy with a clear set of initiatives must be in place and periodically refreshed, as cyberattacks evolve daily,' he added. Appropriate age Nicolai Solling, Chief Technology Officer at Help AG, dwelt on the appropriate age to introduce children to AI and cybersecurity. 'In our increasingly digital world, technology is transforming every aspect of our lives, including education. Digital skills have become fundamental life skills that everyone needs,' Solling asserted. He said that as AI evolves, understanding its implications becomes critical. 'As a parent, I've seen how tech-savvy children have become. However, this increased dependence on technology also makes them more vulnerable. Thus, it's essential for schools to teach basic cybersecurity skills early on.' Solling pointed out that the shift from physical documents to emails in banking has introduced new cyberattack avenues. 'Today's students must learn how to protect themselves online and recognise potential dangers.' He, however, cautioned against over-reliance on AI in education, stating, 'While AI offers remarkable capabilities, it is crucial that we nurture creative thinking and problem-solving skills, which are inherently human qualities.' Ethical implications Peter Oganesean, Managing Director for HP Middle East and East Africa, highlighted the necessity of integrating cybersecurity education into the curriculum. 'As students spend more time online, they face increasing risks like phishing and data breaches. Without proper awareness, their privacy and safety are at stake,' he warned. Oganesean advocated for engaging and practical cybersecurity education, suggesting the use of gamified learning and AI-powered guidance. 'Collaboration among tech companies, educators, and governments is key to establishing standardized cybersecurity curricula,' he noted. The ethical implications of AI in education are also crucial. Oganesean stressed the importance of fairness and transparency in AI applications. 'If AI tools are trained on flawed data, they can perpetuate biases. Regular audits to check for bias and promoting clear, explainable AI systems are essential,' he asserted. Collaboration among AI developers, educators, and policymakers is vital to creating ethical frameworks that ensure AI benefits all students.
