UAE Cyber Security Council says human error drives most cyberattacks

The UAE Cyber Security Council has cautioned that human mistakes, not just technical flaws, lie behind the overwhelming majority of cyber incidents, with social engineering techniques driving nearly 98 percent of attacks, WAM reported.

The warning was issued during the sixth week of the Council’s year-long Cyber Pulse awareness campaign, which is designed to strengthen digital literacy and resilience across the country.

According to the Council, cybercriminals increasingly bypass technology by manipulating people directly - posing as trusted officials, colleagues, or organizations to trick victims into handing over sensitive information or making reckless choices.

Their playbook includes false reward offers, impersonating credible institutions, threatening urgent consequences, or overwhelming targets with confusing instructions.

Rather than relying solely on malware, fraudsters often use direct communication, exploiting emotions such as empathy, fear, or urgency to build trust and pressure victims. The end goal, officials noted, is typically to steal personal or financial information or to push individuals into hasty, damaging actions.

Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant: confirm the identity of anyone requesting information, never share personal details such as banking credentials or passwords, and treat sudden, high-pressure messages with caution. Citizens were also encouraged to follow official alerts and stay updated on cybersecurity best practices.

Now in its second year, the Cyber Pulse campaign is part of the UAE’s broader national strategy to bolster digital security, protect users against evolving threats, and reinforce confidence in the country’s growing digital ecosystem.