UAE

UAE warns of surge in cyberattacks linked to remote work

Experts say remote work expands attack surface, raising breach risks via personal devices and insecure networks

avatar-icon

News Desk

The News Desk provides timely and factual coverage of national and international events, with an emphasis on accuracy and clarity.

UAE warns of surge in cyberattacks linked to remote work
People pose in front of a display showing the word 'cyber' in binary code, in this picture illustration taken in Zenica.
Reuters

The UAE Cybersecurity Council has raised concerns over growing digital threats associated with remote working, warning that increased reliance on home networks has led to a sharp rise in cyberattacks targeting individuals and organizations.

In comments to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the council said cyber incidents linked to remote work have climbed by more than 40% in recent years. It noted that attackers are increasingly shifting their focus from well-protected corporate systems to more vulnerable home environments, particularly unsecured routers.

Experts say the widespread adoption of remote work has expanded the attack surface, with a majority believing the model significantly heightens exposure to breaches due to the use of personal devices and less secure networks. A substantial portion of recent attacks has focused on infrastructure such as home routers and virtual private networks (VPNs), often used to intercept data or obtain sensitive credentials.

The impact of such attacks extends beyond technical disruption, leading to financial losses and data breaches. Ransomware, in particular, remains a persistent threat, capable of halting operations while offering no guarantee of data recovery.

To reduce risks, the council advised users to keep security software up to date, use trusted VPN services, and remain vigilant when using online communication platforms. It stressed that awareness at the individual level remains critical, with timely reporting of suspicious activity playing a key role in strengthening overall cybersecurity.

Comments

See what people are discussing