Attacks Involved Phishing Campaigns and Attempts to Breach Digital Infrastructure
The UAE's Cybersecurity Council announced on Monday, August 10, that national cybersecurity systems had successfully detected and thwarted advanced, organised cyberattacks targeting the aviation, energy and education sectors. The council said the attacks used multiple vectors and techniques, including attempts to breach digital systems and infrastructure, target operational accounts and data, run targeted phishing campaigns, and exploit users as an entry point into their networks.
The council said the UAE's national monitoring and response system operated at the highest level of readiness, with the attacks addressed as soon as they were detected. Containment and protection measures were implemented simultaneously, preventing the attackers from reaching their objectives and ensuring the continuity of services in the affected sectors. National cybersecurity teams tracked the attackers' paths and associated indicators of compromise and took the technical measures needed to neutralise the threats and stop them from spreading.
Third Major Campaign of 2026 Follows May Launch of UAE Cyber Factory
The incident marks the third major sector-targeting cyber campaign the UAE has disclosed this year. In July, the authorities said they had foiled a wave of "sophisticated cyberattacks" on the financial sector, with no disruption to services, pointing to a pattern of escalating attempts against the country's critical infrastructure through 2026.
In May, the UAE launched the Cyber Factory, an initiative established by the Cybersecurity Council with strategic partner CPX Holding to design and develop next-generation cybersecurity capabilities through advanced programmes, technology and AI-powered systems. Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, head of cybersecurity for the UAE government, said the initiative positions the country as a global centre for advanced cybersecurity. "In the face of rising global challenges, the UAE stands as a leading model that not only protects but also innovates and leads by developing advanced technologies capable of detecting, preventing and deterring cyber threats effectively," he said.
