UAE Cyber Chief Reports $5M Ransom Demand Amid Rising Cyber Threats

• •A hacker demanded over $5 million in ransom from a private UAE company.
• •The attack involved data destruction and leaks, with stolen information shared online.
• •Dr. Al Kuwaiti emphasized the connection between kinetic attacks and cyberattacks during the Iran war.

A hacker demanded over $5 million in ransom after breaching a private company in the UAE, leading to data destruction and leaks. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, disclosed this during the Arab Media Summit. The attacker claimed to have detailed knowledge of the organization, and stolen data was circulated on Telegram and the dark web. UAE authorities collaborated with the private sector to mitigate the attack's impact. Al Kuwaiti highlighted the growing threat of misinformation, deepfakes, and cyber warfare, particularly during recent conflicts. He noted that every missile strike on the UAE during the Iran war was accompanied by a cyberattack. The UAE is experiencing hundreds of thousands of cyberattacks daily, with significant focus on critical infrastructure. The situation underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures and international legal frameworks to address cyber warfare.