The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that its national cybersecurity systems successfully thwarted a coordinated wave of cyberattacks described by officials as having a terrorist nature, with the aim of destabilising the country’s digital infrastructure and vital services. According to the state-run news agency WAM, the offensive targeted essential national platforms and infrastructure across sectors including government, finance, transportation, and public services. Authorities said none of the attacks resulted in major disruption thanks to strong defensive measures.
UAE cybersecurity officials reported that the attacks featured multiple sophisticated techniques, such as attempts at network infiltration, deployment of ransomware, and organised phishing campaigns targeting national digital platforms. Crucially, the attackers reportedly employed artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to build and execute offensive tools — marking what officials described as a qualitative shift in how terrorist and malicious actors are developing and using modern technology in cyber operations.
The UAE Cybersecurity Council said its national defence systems operate around the clock in cooperation with public and private partners, national and international organisations, and specialised teams to detect and neutralise threats before they can succeed. Officials emphasised that protecting citizens’ safety, securing personal data, and ensuring the continuity of critical services remain top priorities, and they urged the public to report any suspicious cyber activity to authorised channels.
While the government has characterised the incident as linked to terrorist tactics, authorities did not identify specific groups or nations responsible for the attacks, and independent verification of that attribution has not been released. The announcement comes amid broader concerns about the rising use of AI by threat actors globally, which cybersecurity experts say is lowering barriers for criminals and malicious groups to launch complex attacks.
