UAE foils cyber attacks targeting digital infrastructure, vital sectors

ABU DHABI – The United Arab Emirates has successfully foiled a series of organised cyber attacks described as having a “terrorist nature”, targeting the country’s digital infrastructure and vital sectors in an attempt to destabilise the nation and disrupt essential services, according to the UAE Cybersecurity Council.

Officials said the coordinated attacks formed part of a broader campaign aimed not only at critical systems and the national economy, but also at undermining the UAE’s international standing. The cyber assaults coincided with what authorities described as a systematic disinformation drive targeting the country’s humanitarian and political role, as well as its counter-terrorism efforts and support for regional and international stability.

The council said that fake accounts operating on social media platforms, particularly X, had been exposed as part of the online smear campaign, alleging that they were run from covert networks seeking to damage Abu Dhabi’s reputation.

In a statement, the Cybersecurity Council stressed that the safety of individuals, the protection of personal data and the continuity of essential services remain paramount. It said the national cybersecurity and cyber-defence system operates around the clock with high efficiency, in coordination with service providers, national and international bodies and specialised organisations. The UAE also draws on advanced global technological partnerships and expertise to strengthen protection, speed up recovery and enhance national digital resilience.

Authorities said the attacks included attempts to infiltrate networks, deploy ransomware and conduct organised phishing campaigns targeting national platforms. Attackers also exploited artificial intelligence technologies to develop complex offensive tools, reflecting what the council described as a qualitative shift in the methods used by terrorist groups and their ability to harness modern technologies to carry out digital operations.

The council emphasised that the incidents underscore the need for enhanced national and international cooperation in cybersecurity, as well as continued development of domestic capabilities to confront advanced digital threats. It reaffirmed the UAE’s full commitment to safeguarding its digital space, preserving national stability and rejecting any targeting of critical infrastructure and civilian services.

Members of the public and institutions have been urged to report suspicious cyber activity through officially approved channels to ensure the security of the country’s digital ecosystem and the uninterrupted functioning of its institutions under all circumstances. Officials said the UAE’s experience in confronting cyber threats demonstrates a high level of preparedness and efficiency, supported by strengthened monitoring, analysis and rapid response mechanisms.

Cybersecurity in the UAE has evolved from what officials describe as traditional defensive measures to a model of proactive digital sovereignty. According to official data, Emirati authorities detect and block between 90,000 and 200,000 cyber attacks daily, and handled 128 significant threat incidents during 2026 under a unified national response protocol that minimised risks.

The country’s strategy is built on three main pillars: advanced intelligence analysis enabling the tracking of 21 sophisticated threat groups and 60 entities linked to hacktivist and cybercriminal networks; monitoring encrypted applications and ransomware marketplaces; and continuous surveillance of misleading online content to protect public trust in national institutions and markets.

A national initiative has also been launched to establish a Centre of Excellence to ensure the ethical use of artificial intelligence, alongside a central operations room functioning as a “neural hub” for real-time intelligence exchange across sectors.

Officials said the recent cyber incidents illustrate the UAE’s capacity to manage both digital threats and coordinated media attacks simultaneously through proactive policies, robust infrastructure and strong regional and international alliances. They argued that the country remains capable of defending its digital sovereignty and sustaining its regional role in promoting peace and stability in a complex geopolitical environment.

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, has previously said that periodic criticism surrounding the country’s regional role does not reflect reality. He described the UAE’s policy of supporting peace and confronting extremism as a consistent strategic choice rather than a position subject to political bargaining.

Gargash added that much of the hostile rhetoric directed at the UAE lacks objective foundations and often stems from contradictory arguments, ranging from opposition to its regional engagement to envy of its economic success or criticism of its development model based on diversification and openness. He argued that online campaigns frequently driven by anonymous accounts reflect shifting agendas rather than the genuine interests of the region’s populations.

The latest incidents, officials say, highlight the growing convergence between cyber warfare and information campaigns, as states worldwide face increasingly sophisticated attempts to target infrastructure, economies and reputations in parallel.