How Businesses Can Combat Rising Cyber Risks in the UAE

Written by McKaila Posey, Cybersecurity Manager at Abacus Group

In today's fast-paced digital era and hyper-connected global economy, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has swiftly become a key financial and innovation hub both regionally and internationally over the last decade. With its booming economy, rapid growth, and robust adoption of cutting-edge technology, the UAE has also become an attractive target for cybercriminals. As businesses expand their operations in and around the UAE, this evolving scene presents significant security and compliance challenges that many are unprepared to deal with.  

Recent government led initiatives such as the unification of digital bureaucratic systems under a unified online platform, the development of smart cities, and the integration of autonomous, interconnected cities have led to country wide enhancements in efficiency, quality of life, sustainability, and safety within the country. However, these strategies also introduce significant cyber vulnerabilities and risks, widening attack surfaces. The challenge for businesses is clear: how can they capitalize on the opportunities presented by the UAE’s thriving digital economy while defending against more sophisticated and widespread cyber threats? 

The Unique Nature of Cyber Threats in the UAE 

As the UAE’s unique economic and technological scene has rapidly grown and expanded to become a significant player on the global stage, so has the region’s unique threat landscape.  

The deep interconnectivity of global supply chains means that regional cyber incidents have an international impact. In many cases, cyberattacks are not isolated events but part of nation-state actors' and organized cybercrime networks' larger geo-political strategies.  

Additionally, the rapid integration of emerging technologies in existing infrastructure within the UAE has resulted in a surge of vulnerabilities. Attackers are leveraging existing, documented vulnerabilities as straightforward means for initial access and propagation of ransomware. The 2025 State of the UAE Cybersecurity report noted a significant number of critical, unpatched vulnerable assets in 2024, with up to 33% of assets in the region being identified as impacted by a critical vulnerability in an open-source remote access software. Intensifying this risk, Ransomware-as-a-Service is also on the rise in the UAE,  reducing the barrier of entry for adversaries to perform sophisticated, widespread attacks.  

 The most prevalent risk within the UAE region, however, is incidents caused by misconfigurations within infrastructure and security systems. In 2024, 32% of incidents tracked by the UAE Cybersecurity Council were attributed to misconfigurations, either due to poor attempts at tuning noise within security systems or gaps within device and software configurations. This poses a significant problem for the UAE and may be due to the quick rise in technology in the region, along with difficulties in updating internal policies and employee training. 

Implications for International Firms 

For international companies, the UAE’s dynamic economic environment is a double-edged sword. The region offers immense commercial potential but brings with it the risk of exposure to these emerging cyber threats. Global firms must now contend not only with cybercriminals aiming for a quick financial windfall but also more strategic, well-funded attackers whose motivations may be diplomatic, political, or economically motivated. Incidents that impact partners, clients, and other business relationships within the UAE can quickly spread to impact organizations globally. 

International firms must also address complex regulatory requirements as well, or risk fines or becoming barred from access to the UAE market. The UAE has developed a variety of cybersecurity laws and regulations across the country to protect its digital infrastructure from cyber threats that can be difficult for international companies to manage. In addition to these regulations, organizations must also adhere to emirate-level requirements as well, adding to the complexity. 

Strategies to Safeguard Business Operations  

To navigate these challenges, both regional and international organizations operating in the UAE should consider proactive measures that will increase their resilience to current and developing cyber threats. This includes: 

• Comprehensive risk assessments that take into account regional regulatory requirements, data localization laws, and any risks specific to the organization’s operating industry. 
• Investment in modern cybersecurity technologies and critical toolsets, such as Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions with AI-driven threat detection capabilities. 
• Ongoing employee awareness and training tailored to address both global and UAE-specific attacks to train employees on phishing detection, safe data handling, password hygiene, and reporting suspicious activities. 
• Developing and regularly testing and updating a comprehensive incident response plan that aligns with broader business continuity strategies, and outlines clear roles, communication protocols, and recovery procedures in the event of a breach.  

Proactively taking steps to mitigate risk is important to both protecting a business and ensuring compliance with local and global regulations. Companies should ensure their security policies align with national frameworks in the UAE, thereby strengthening both legal standing and reputational trust.

From Risk to Resilience: Securing Success in the UAE 

The UAE’s fast-paced digital transformation and its role as a global business hub presents great business opportunities as well as escalating cyber risks. For both regional and international firms, safeguarding operations requires more than reactive measures; it demands a proactive, multi-layered approach that blends technology, partnerships, regulatory compliance, and human awareness. By embedding cybersecurity into the core of their business strategy, organizations can not only defend against today’s threats but also build the resilience needed to thrive in an increasingly connected and high-stakes global marketplace.

If your organization is looking to strengthen its cybersecurity posture in the UAE, contact us today to start the conversation.