600,000 Attacks A Day: UAE, Other Gulf Financial Hubs Face Massive Cyber Warfare

Summary

A sharp escalation in cyberattacks across the UAE and the wider Gulf is disrupting businesses and testing the resilience of digital infrastructure, even as geopolitical tensions around Iran show signs of easing, Gulf News reported. According to the UAE Cyber Security Council, daily cyberattack attempts have surged to nearly 600,000 from around 200,000 prior to the outbreak of conflict on Feb. 28. Officials attribute much of the activity to Iran-aligned independent actors, signalling a shift towards sustained, coordinated cyber warfare. Gulf News reported that key government-linked platforms and critical sectors, including financial services, utilities, ports, and legal systems, have been among the hardest hit. ALSO READ | Iran-Linked Hackers Target US Marines, Data of Over 2,000 Personnel Allegedly Leaked Entities such as the Dubai Land Department, Dubai Courts, and the Roads and Transport Authority have faced cyber incidents in recent weeks, while attempted breaches have also targeted the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. The operational fallout is already visible. Business leaders report delays, bottlenecks, and uncertainty over access to records and payment systems. “There is no ceasefire in cyber warfare,” said the founder of an India-based investment firm with UAE operations. “Some port systems have been down for days. Court matters are delayed because databases have been disrupted.” While most breaches have so far caused temporary disruption rather than permanent damage, concerns are mounting over the risk to core databases and business continuity systems. Sanskruti Chaturvedi, corporate law advisor and co-founder of a UAE-based global advisory firm, warned that even short outages could delay 15-25% of digital filings in high-volume systems such as Dubai Courts. She urged organisations to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks and maintain offline backups. Experts say the larger threat lies in eroding trust. “When entities like DLD or DCD face disruptions, the impact spreads across the ecosystem,” said Salem Aljneibi, cybersecurity specialist at Etimad Strategic Security Solutions. With much of the private sector integrated into government platforms, a single breach can trigger cascading delays. ALSO READ | Can UAE's OPEC Exit Turn Into Opportunity For India? MK Surana Explains Financial institutions remain prime targets, with attackers increasingly combining system intrusions with AI-driven phishing and fraud. “They are not choosing between hacking systems and defrauding customers, they are doing both simultaneously,” Aljneibi added. The surge has also triggered a hiring boom in cybersecurity roles across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, while companies rethink data strategies. Following earlier disruptions to regional data centres, firms are increasingly exploring storage options in India and Europe. Officials warn that cyber threats are now continuous and borderless. “The threat is constant,” said UAE Cyber Security Council head Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, stressing that vigilance and basic digital hygiene remain critical as attacks grow in scale and sophistication. Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.