UAE Recognized as Cybersecurity Role Model in Global Report

The UAE has been named a global leader for efforts to improve cyber security measures in a new report.

In the Global Cyber ​​Security Index 2024, published on Thursday, the Emirates received a rating in the highest tier – among countries considered role models in the field.

The Code is compiled by the International Telecommunication Union, a UN specialized agency dedicated to information and communication technology.

The UAE is one of the top 46 countries, along with fellow Gulf states Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain, as well as the US, UK, Germany and France.

The international list has been published since 2021 and rates 194 countries across five key cyber security pillars: legal, technological, institutional, capacity building and cooperation.

Tier 1 countries are recognized for demonstrating a strong commitment to improvement in all five areas.

“Countries around the world are improving cyber security efforts, but stronger measures are needed to meet emerging cyber threats,” the report said.

Countries are taking more action on cybersecurity issues, but “threats of concern” remain in the evolving digital landscape.

It cited “ransomware attacks targeting government services and other sectors, cyber breaches affecting key industries, costly computer outages and privacy breaches for individuals and organizations” as key concerns.

“Building trust is critical in the digital world,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.

“The improvement seen in the Global Cyber ​​Security Index is a sign that we must continue to focus efforts to ensure that cyber threats can be managed safely and securely everywhere in today’s increasingly complex digital landscape.”

The excellent performance, according to Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, head of the UAE Cyber Security Council, the emirate’s online security task force, is evidence of the long-term goal.

The spot on the list “reflects the UAE’s significant progress in digital transformation and strengthens its position as a regional and global hub for innovation and technology,” stated Wam, the state news agency.

The UAE Cabinet formed the Cyber Security Council in November 2020 in response to an increase in global threats and assaults on computers and the Internet.

The House is responsible for legislation to strengthen cyber security subject to Cabinet approval.

Speaking at a Dubai event in July, Dr Al Kuwaiti said there were 50,000 cyber attacks per day in the UAE, with “75 per cent of cyber threats being extortion” and “49 per cent of companies facing ransomware attacks”.

“In the first quarter of this year alone, we have thwarted 71 million attacks in the UAE,” he added.

The importance of strong online security was highlighted by a global Windows cut-out due to a faulty update from cybersecurity provider CrowdStrike in July.

The problem affected millions of Microsoft Windows users, causing widespread disruption to airlines, banks and other industries.