October 1, 2024 at 01:09AM
Cyberattackers and hacktivists are increasingly targeting the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) region, with a 70% rise in DDoS attacks in the first half of the year. The UAE faces an average of 50,000 cyberattacks daily, while Saudi Arabia was targeted by a China-linked group. The increase in attacks may involve new threat actors, with emphasis on drawing public attention to political and social issues. Companies in the region are advised to focus on strengthening their cybersecurity posture.
Based on the meeting notes, the key takeaways are:
1. The Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) region, particularly the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, is increasingly targeted by cyber attackers and hacktivists due to their strong economies, geopolitical stances, and commercial importance.
2. The number of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks in the region has risen by 70% compared to the previous year, and the trend is expected to continue. Hacktivists use forums to rally like-minded hackers and publicize their successes against specific targets.
3. The increase in DDoS attacks suggests an influx of new threat actors, including novice hackers. Hacktivists primarily aim to draw attention to political, social, and religious issues, and DDoS attacks are popular due to their accessibility to less skilled hackers.
4. Stolen data and illicit access are prevalent topics in forum posts, with a focus on selling or buying access to various sectors, including trade, services, manufacturing, IT, and government agencies.
5. Cyber espionage and attacks have become the preferred battleground for both nation-state and dissent organizations in the region, with Iran’s increasing cyber espionage activities and Israel’s cyber-physical attacks being notable examples.
6. As the UAE and Saudi Arabia heavily invest in digitization and AI development, organizations in these nations and the wider Middle East need to prioritize strengthening their cybersecurity posture to mitigate the increasing cyber threats.
7. Dark Web forums are rife with offers and services catering to the region, and the sale of access, often at low costs, makes it easier for attackers to gain initial access to companies and carry out attacks.
These takeaways highlight the growing cyber threats faced by the GCC region, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and the need for organizations to enhance their cybersecurity measures in response to the evolving tactics of cyber attackers and hacktivists.