Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (DUBAI)
The UAE is increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and trace cyberattacks targeting the country, according to Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council.
In a dialogue session at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai, Al Kuwaiti noted that AI tools can now analyse writing patterns and posting behaviour to identify the real sources behind malicious online activity, whether human or bot-driven.
The spectrum of cyber threats now includes insults, slander, defamation, blackmail, identity theft, and ransomware - all of which fall under the category of cybercrimes, he said.
Another major concern is cyberterrorism, particularly the online dissemination of false ideologies and the spread of rumours meant to destabilise social trust.
Al Kuwaiti pointed out that while social media platforms have introduced some regulatory measures to curb terrorism and cybercrime, the challenge of swiftly removing or correcting misinformation remains substantial.
The speed at which false content spreads, combined with its persistent digital footprint, often makes it difficult to trace or undo the damage once it's widely circulated, he explained.
Think Before You Click
Al Kuwaiti also pointed to awareness as a central pillar in the UAE's cybersecurity strategy.
He said that encouraging individuals to pause before resharing unverified information - and to recognise that online behaviour reflects personal and cultural values - is one way to contain the ripple effects of false narratives.
Al Kuwaiti stressed the importance of having misinformation "stop at you" instead of being perpetuated further.
The UAE continues to ramp up its cybersecurity capabilities. In April 2024, the UAE Cybersecurity Council launched the "National Cybersecurity Strategy 2024–2026", which outlines a multi-tiered approach focused on proactive threat detection, critical infrastructure protection, and real-time incident response.
The strategy includes the deployment of a centralised national cybersecurity operations centre (NCSOC) and the integration of AI-driven surveillance tools to monitor digital risks across government and private networks.
