The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government recently thwarted a major cybersecurity operation that could have resulted in a large-scale cyberattack or data leak affecting critical sectors. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, confirmed that a hacker known as “rose” claimed responsibility for the breach. The attacker allegedly compromised Oracle Cloud’s SSO and LDAP systems, potentially exposing approximately six million customer records worldwide, including sensitive password data.
If verified, this breach would rank among the most severe cybersecurity breaches in recent history. It is estimated that entities worldwide, including government agencies and key private sector organizations in the UAE, may have been impacted. To delve deeper into the implications of this large-scale cyberattack, The Cyber Express team spoke with industry experts to analyze what this incident signifies for the future of cybersecurity in the UAE.
The latest cyberattack on the UAE highlights the growing nature of cyber threats, posing a direct risk to national security, economic stability, and public trust. Carmen Marsh, President & CEO at United Cybersecurity Alliance, emphasized that the UAE’s strategic position and rapid digital transformation make it an attractive target for cybercriminals. She stressed the need for constant vigilance and proactive strategies to combat ongoing cyber risks.
Eng. Dina AlSalamen, Cybersecurity Director of Cyber and Information Security, pointed out that the UAE’s technological advancements make it a prime target for cybercriminals. As the country continues to advance in areas such as smart cities, IoT, and digital governance, cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated. AlSalamen highlighted the importance of organizations understanding the evolving nature of cyber threats and adopting proactive defense measures.
Experts warn that cybercriminals are deploying advanced persistent threats, ransomware, and data exfiltration tactics to infiltrate critical infrastructure and steal sensitive information. Media organizations are among the most frequently targeted entities, facing an average of attacks per day in the UAE. Cross-border nation-sponsored cyberattacks, often orchestrated by cyberterrorist groups, are on the rise, leveraging sophisticated AI-driven attack mechanisms.
As cyber threats continue to increase in difficulty and scale, experts emphasize the need for proactive defense strategies, AI-driven threat detection, and cross-sector collaboration to counter evolving cyber risks. The UAE Cybersecurity Council has urged organizations nationwide to strengthen their security postures, enhance cyber readiness, and report any suspicious activity immediately. Private-public collaborations and continuous awareness efforts are crucial in combating cyber threats effectively.