UAE says terrorist cyberattacks on vital sectors thwarted

The UAE Cybersecurity Council said the country’s national cyber system has successfully thwarted organized cyberattacks of a terrorist nature that targeted digital infrastructure and vital sectors, according to the state-run WAM news agency.

In a statement carried by WAM on Saturday, the council said the attacks aimed to destabilize the country and disrupt essential services.

The council said protecting individuals’ safety, securing personal data and ensuring continuity of critical services remain top priorities.

It added that the national cybersecurity and cyber defense system operates around the clock in cooperation with service providers, national and international entities, and specialized organizations.

According to the council, the attacks included attempts to infiltrate networks, deploy ransomware and conduct systematic phishing campaigns targeting national platforms.

The statement said attackers also sought to exploit artificial intelligence technologies to develop sophisticated offensive tools, reflecting what it described as a qualitative shift in the methods used by terrorist groups to carry out digital attacks.

The council reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the digital domain and preserving stability, and urged the public to report cyber threats or suspicious activity through officially approved channels.