Every 39 Seconds a Cyberattack Strikes — UAE Government’s Cybersecurity Council Issues Urgent Warning

Council highlights AI-driven threats, post-quantum readiness, and rising risks to individuals and organizations

The UAE Government’s Cybersecurity Council has issued a sharp warning on the rapid escalation of cyber threats, revealing that a cyberattack now occurs every 39 seconds worldwide. The Council stressed that automation and artificial intelligence continue to fuel the speed, scale, and sophistication of modern cybercrime.

According to the Council, cybercriminals now rely on intelligent tools that adapt quickly and operate at scale. As a result, both organizations and individuals face increasing exposure across digital services, devices, and online platforms.

Estimates highlighted by the Council suggest that global cybercrime costs may reach $11.9 trillion by 2026 and climb further to $19.7 trillion by 2030. These projections reflect the growing financial and operational impact of cyber threats.

UAE’s Post-Quantum Cybersecurity Push

Against this backdrop, the Council announced progress in strengthening the UAE’s readiness for the post-quantum era. The country continues to expand cooperation with QuantumGate, the national platform dedicated to quantum-resilient cybersecurity.

This initiative focuses on anticipating future cryptographic risks and preparing systems to withstand quantum-enabled attacks. Efforts include protecting priority sectors, assessing cryptographic exposure, and planning early migration to quantum-safe technologies.

With the transition from strategy to coordinated national implementation, the UAE positions itself among the first countries to activate a comprehensive post-quantum cybersecurity framework.

National Programs and Implementation

The next phase introduces three key national programs:

• National Information Assurance Program to strengthen baseline security across public and private sectors
• National Cybersecurity Index Platform to enhance nationwide monitoring and risk assessment
• National Post-Quantum Transition Program to identify vulnerable cryptographic assets and guide long-term migration

These initiatives aim to build long-term resilience as cyber threats continue to evolve.

Public Awareness and Daily Cyber Risks

The Council also cautioned the public about risks associated with public charging ports. Many users unknowingly expose personal data when charging devices in public locations.

Compromised charging points may enable “juice-jacking” attacks, which can allow unauthorized access once a device connects. Warning signs include abnormal battery drain, sluggish performance, unexpected system alerts, and frequent crashes.

To reduce risk, the Council advised individuals to avoid public charging ports, use personal chargers, reject data-transfer prompts, enable multi-factor authentication, and review app permissions regularly.