Cybersecurity Threats to Watch Out For

Cybersecurity threats are evolving at an unprecedented pace, fueled by breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and the explosive growth of Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystems.

The stakes are high for businesses and governments undergoing digital transformation. A single breach can cost millions and damage public trust. In fact, the global average cost of a data breach reached $4.9 million in 2024. This number is expected to climb as organizations increase their digital footprint without proportional security investments.

The solution? Proactive cybersecurity threat management strategies that go beyond firewalls and antivirus software. Defending against new threats in cybersecurity means embracing zero trust architecture, AI-driven detection, employee training, and real-time threat intelligence.  

Top cybersecurity threats in 2025 

In 2025, the GCC region, led by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, continues to be a high-profile target, as it steps up its digital transformation visions. 

In 2023, Saudi Arabia experienced over 22.5 million cyberattacks  

1. AI-powered cyberattacks

In 2024, Dubai Police reported a shocking voice fraud incident. Scammers used deepfake audio to impersonate a company executive, stealing over $3.7 million. The attackers mimicked real-time voice conversations using AI, making the scam incredibly convincing.

Saudi Arabia is proactively fighting such threats through the National Cybersecurity Authority’s AI Security Framework. The framework offers guidance on ethical AI development and building resilience against AI-driven attacks.  

As AI-generated threats grow more advanced, both countries must invest in real-time detection and authentication protocols. One effective approach is to partner with cybersecurity experts like Microminder Cyber Security, who provide AI-informed solutions for real-time threat detection and response. 

2. Quantum computing threats

Quantum computing poses an immediate risk to encryption systems that secure critical national assets. The UAE Quantum Council has launched a post-quantum cryptography roadmap to future-proof critical infrastructure such as finance, utilities, and national defense.

Saudi Arabia is also stepping up. According to a report by Arab News, in collaboration with KAUST, Aramco is exploring quantum encryption technologies to protect sensitive energy infrastructure.

These measures highlight the urgency of adapting cryptographic standards before quantum capabilities fall into the wrong hands. 

3. Ransomware 3.0

Ransomware attacks now use double/triple extortion. This includes stealing data, launching DDoS attacks, and threatening public exposure.

Ransomware continues to plague Gulf organizations, with attackers now shifting their focus to critical services like water treatment and energy. The UAE has taken a strong stance with a new law that imposes a fine of up to AED 5 million on entities that pay ransoms to deter compliance and encourage investment in prevention.

In 2020, a ransomware attack severely disrupted a Saudi Arabian hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. The attack forced a return to manual operations and exposed critical IT vulnerabilities. The incident prompted Saudi authorities to enforce stricter cybersecurity measures, including network segmentation and OT system protections for critical infrastructure. 

4. Supply Chain Attacks

60% of breaches originate from supply chain vulnerabilities.

With ambitious megaprojects like NEOM and Expo 2025 underway, third-party risks are under greater scrutiny.

NEOM has made Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) documentation mandatory for all contractors. This is to ensure visibility into software components and reduce the risk of embedded malware.

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is also tackling supply chain risk through enhanced third-party risk management rules, particularly in financial and fintech ecosystems. These regulations mandate vendor assessments, cyber risk disclosures, and real-time compliance tracking. 

5. Cloud threats, cloud jacking, and misconfigurations

As cloud adoption explodes across the Gulf, misconfigurations are becoming a major security gap. In fact, 73% of enterprises reported a cloud breach in 2023.

A Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) report revealed that 62% of UAE organizations had cloud vulnerabilities due to poor access controls and unencrypted data storage.

Saudi Arabia’s STC, a major telecom provider, responded by launching a secure cloud framework that includes sovereign hosting, zero-trust access, and compliance with national regulations.  

6. IoT and OT cyberattacks in smart cities

With more than 25 billion IoT devices expected by 2025 (Gartner), Internet of Things (IoT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems remain highly vulnerable.

The Gulf's push toward smart cities like Dubai Smart City and NEOM has introduced a wave of connected devices. But this connectivity comes with risk.

A 2024 report (State of UAE Cybersecurity 2024) uncovered over 155,000 remote-access OT/IoT assets, such as admin panels, remote portals, and insecure devices, left exposed due to misconfigurations across the UAE's critical infrastructure.

To prevent such breaches, Saudi Arabia has implemented a formal IoT Security Standard through SASO. The standard establishes baseline security practices for connected infrastructure including:  

• Device authentication
• Over-the-air updates and
• Encrypted communication protocols

7. State-sponsored cyber warfare

Nation-state actors are increasingly targeting critical national infrastructure sectors like energy, healthcare, and finance.

Geopolitical tensions continue to fuel state-sponsored cyberattacks in the Gulf. Iranian APT groups, especially APT34 (OilRig), have repeatedly targeted UAE financial institutions with phishing campaigns and backdoor implants.

Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in global cooperation through the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), positioning itself as a regional leader in multilateral cyber defense. Such partnerships are critical in combatting transnational digital threats. 

8. 5G Network Exploits

The adoption of 5G introduces new vectors for DDoS, spoofing, and man-in-the-middle attacks. With both the UAE and KSA rolling out full-scale 5G networks, telecom infrastructure has become a key target for espionage and disruption.

The UAE’s Etisalat took a pioneering step by launching the region’s first 5G Security Operations Center (SOC), which enables real-time monitoring of 5G traffic and anomalies.

Saudi Arabia’s STC has unveiled a 5G Security Blueprint that outlines best practices in protecting radio access networks, edge computing, and mobile endpoints. Such frameworks serve as a foundation for 5G resilience. 

9. Biometric Data Theft

Banking, eGovernment platforms, and access control widely use biometric authentication, but they aren’t foolproof. As biometric authentication becomes mainstream, attackers are targeting facial recognition and fingerprint databases. Ensuring tamper-proof identity systems is critical.

In 2024, UAE Pass, the national digital ID, faced spoofing attempts involving facial recognition bypasses.

In response, KAUST in Saudi Arabia is developing quantum-secure biometric solutions. These solutions use advanced encryption to prevent data theft and replay attacks.  

10. Insider Threats (Malicious and Negligent)

30% of data breaches involve insiders (Verizon DBIR 2024)

Not all threats come from the outside. Insider threats, whether intentional or accidental, pose one of the biggest risks to sensitive data.

A recent case in Dubai involved a bank employee stealing 2.1 million customer records for personal gain.

To counter such threats, Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Academy is expanding its workforce training programs. These aim to improve digital hygiene, incident detection, and ethical awareness among government and corporate employees. 

Key types of cyber threats in the GCC

From oil rigs to banks, the GCC is under digital siege. These are the threats hitting hardest.

Phishing and social engineering remain major threats, particularly in finance, healthcare, and government sectors.

According to the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC), social engineering attacks made up a large portion of security incidents in 2024. They often used fake login pages, SMS lures, or even AI-generated voice calls to trick users. These attacks exploit human vulnerabilities more than technical flaws. This highlights why awareness training is a critical defense layer.

Malware, including ransomware, spyware, and Trojans, continues to compromise critical infrastructure. One example is the Shamoon virus, which disrupted Saudi Aramco operations and wiped tens of thousands of hard drives.
According to the Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), malware campaigns remain active, especially those targeting industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) networks.

Zero-day attacks exploit unknown software flaws before developers can patch them. In the UAE, the Cybersecurity Council (CSC) often issues critical vulnerability advisories urging immediate action. They particularly recommend them for widely used platforms in finance, energy, and telecommunications.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are being used to crash portals, APIs, and online services in both nations.

HTTP DDoS attacks (Layer 7) increased by 93% year-over-year in Q1 2024

A Cloudflare Radar report highlighted a surge in Layer 7 DDoS attacks across the Middle East in 2024, targeting government and financial institutions. These high-volume attacks often come from compromised IoT devices and are used to create chaos or extort businesses.

MITM attacks exploit unsecured public Wi-Fi and rogue mobile apps. They are especially dangerous in public Wi-Fi zones and smart city environments. Attackers commonly use insecure connections and rogue mobile apps to intercept data and hijack user sessions.

UAE’s DESC and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP) are actively issuing alerts and promoting encryption best practices to help reduce exposure.

What companies are doing to combat cyber threats in cybersecurity

Both public and private sector organizations in the UAE and KSA are implementing advanced strategies to protect their networks, data, and national infrastructure.

The UAE's Cybersecurity Council reported thwarting more than 50,000 cyberattacks daily, highlighting the country's proactive defense mechanisms

Cybersecurity providers across the GCC are increasingly adopting AI-powered solutions to strengthen national defenses and secure critical infrastructure. These platforms monitor behavioral anomalies, automate threat detection, and respond to intrusions faster than traditional systems. This helps to safeguard smart cities, oil and gas systems, and critical government data.

Both the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) and Saudi NCA advocate for the Zero Trust model, which eliminates implicit trust across devices and users. By implementing identity verification, micro-segmentation, and least privilege access, businesses ensure only authenticated and authorized access to sensitive data.

• The UAE’s Cyber Pulse Initiative engages public/private sectors in live attack simulations.
• Saudi Arabia’s Cyber Shield, one of the region’s largest cyber defense exercises, is run by the NCA with 40+ partners.
  

As breach-related costs rise, businesses across the Gulf are investing in cyber insurance. According to Allianz, firms in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are increasingly purchasing policies to cover regulatory fines, legal liabilities, and business interruption losses. This holds true especially in the banking, aviation, and healthcare sectors.

Final thoughts: In 2025, waiting means losing

Cyber threats in the GCC are moving faster, hitting harder, and growing smarter.

Staying ahead means thinking ahead. That means deploying AI-driven defenses, embracing a strong security culture, and joining hands with cybersecurity partners who understand your region’s unique risks.

Harden every layer of your digital infrastructure before attackers strike.

Partner with Microminder Cyber Security, a trusted name in the GCC, offering AI-powered threat defense, deep regional expertise, and a relentless commitment to protecting what matters most.

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