Recent research indicates a significant rise in malware detections in the UAE, with a 11.7 percent increase from January to May 2024. Data from Acronis, a cybersecurity and data protection firm, reveals a staggering 293 percent increase in global email attacks compared to the same period in 2023. The report, titled “Acronis Cyberthreats Report H1 2024: Email attacks surge 293 per cent, new ransomware groups emerge”, utilizes data from over one million unique Windows endpoints across 15 major countries to highlight global cybersecurity trends.
Despite the UAE's monthly global detection percentages being relatively lower than high-risk countries like Germany, France, and Egypt, the report emphasizes a growing yet manageable cyber threat landscape. The UAE's detection percentages fluctuated between 0.8 percent and 1.9 percent in the first half of 2024, compared to Germany's 6.4 percent to 9.9 percent, France's 3.6 percent to 5.5 percent, and the UK's 4.3 percent to 6.1 percent. The UAE also saw a significant increase in the percentage of clients with malware detections, rising from 17.6 percent in January 2024 to 29.3 percent in May.
The escalating cyber threats in the UAE underscore the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures. These challenges are part of a broader trend affecting many Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) countries, particularly in terms of rising malware detections and high-profile ransomware attacks. Bahrain recorded the highest malware detection rate at 63.2 percent in April 2024, followed by Egypt with 42.6 percent.
Ziad Nasr, General Manager for the Middle East at Acronis, highlighted the urgent need for heightened vigilance and advanced protective measures. The UAE has been identified as a prime target for ransomware attacks, with the average cost of a data breach in the Middle East exceeding $8 million in 2023. Managed service providers (MSPs) are particularly vulnerable to threats such as phishing, social engineering, and supply chain attacks, and are encouraged to adopt comprehensive security strategies.
Ransomware remains a major threat to small and medium-sized businesses, especially in critical industries like government and healthcare. Acronis observed 10 new ransomware groups in Q1 2024, responsible for 84 global cyberattacks. LockBit, Black Basta, and PLAY were among the most active ransomware families, collectively accounting for 35 percent of the attacks. The report also notes the targeting of MSPs through various attack vectors, including phishing, social engineering, and supply chain attacks.
The report further explores emerging cybersecurity trends, such as the increasing use of generative AI and large language models by threat groups. AI is being leveraged in social engineering and automation attacks, with common AI-generated attacks including malicious emails and deepfake business email compromises. Acronis identifies two types of AI threats: AI-generated threats and AI-enabled malware.
