UAE Oil and Gas Platforms Face New Cyber Threats as Offshore Workers Connect with Families Online

Experts have issued a warning that oil and gas operators in the UAE are increasingly vulnerable to cyber criminals who seek to exploit the online connections of offshore workers to infiltrate their systems. For employees who spend extended periods at sea, internet access is crucial for maintaining contact with their families and friends. However, integrating this personal connectivity with the networks that manage offshore equipment introduces significant cybersecurity concerns for energy companies.

Alaa Alsadi, group vice president of energy and chief operating officer for the Middle East at IEC Telecom, emphasized the necessity for companies to maintain a clear separation between the internet used by workers and the critical operational systems. "The more you are connected, the more you are online, the more you need to take care of your connectivity and your infrastructure from cyber attacks," Alsadi stated at the Adipec energy conference in Abu Dhabi.

These concerns arise as energy firms increasingly adopt AI, remote monitoring, and connected equipment for managing offshore facilities, making reliable internet access indispensable for daily operations. Traditionally, internet connectivity on offshore platforms was limited to essential operational needs. In recent years, however, companies have expanded internet services for employees, enabling them to communicate with loved ones and access entertainment during their time away from home. Alsadi noted that this has placed an additional burden on operators to safeguard their critical systems.

"Not that long before, connectivity was mainly for operations," he explained, adding that over the past five to six years, companies have begun providing internet for crew as a "welfare system." He reiterated the importance of separating these systems from operational networks to mitigate the risk of cyber attacks. Alsadi also highlighted a growing emphasis on cybersecurity training and awareness among employees, stating, "Of course, the more you are connected, the more you are vulnerable to cyber attacks. There is a new trend, actually – a new big demand on cyber security."

Before the widespread availability of internet for offshore workers, communication with families relied on satellite phones and shared methods, often resulting in limited connectivity and usage restrictions. Advances in satellite technology and faster offshore internet have now made video calls, messaging, and social media accessible to those at sea. The significance of staying connected while at sea has also been recognized internationally. The threats posed by cyber criminals in the UAE were underscored during the Iran war, with reports indicating the nation faced 640,000 attacks in a single day in September, with Iran identified as a major player in high-tech offensives, amplified by the rise of AI. In August, the UAE Cyber Security Council announced that national teams had successfully detected and contained sophisticated, organized attacks targeting the energy, aviation, and education sectors before they could cause disruption.

Amendments to the International Labour Organisation's Maritime Labour Convention, effective from December 2024, now include provisions for seafarers' access to social connectivity onboard ships. The UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency, in guidance published in March 2026, suggested that access to messaging apps, email, and social media could help alleviate loneliness and isolation among workers. However, the guidance also cautioned that internet access could present opportunities for cyber criminals to attack systems through less secure connections. Increased connectivity makes workers more susceptible to cybercriminals leveraging AI to breach energy networks. In September, the cybersecurity firm Positive Technologies reported that a business supporting oil and gas drilling and production in Saudi Arabia had fallen victim to a ransomware group. Furthermore, Palo Alto Networks identified four distinct waves of cyber attacks against a Middle Eastern energy and marine services company between August 2025 and February 2026. The financial repercussions can be substantial, with the average cost of a data breach in the Middle East's energy and industrial sectors reaching approximately $8.5 million in 2025, according to IBM. IBM's latest report indicated that breaches across the broader industrial sector averaged $9.6 million in 2026, with 26% of malicious breaches in the region involving AI.

The increasing reliance on digitally connected equipment necessitates that offshore facilities prepare for potential interruptions to their primary internet connections. Energy companies depend on these networks for equipment monitoring, communication with control centers, and remote operations management. Alsadi highlighted that a loss of connectivity could lead to severe financial consequences, especially for facilities requiring continuous operation. "Disruption in connectivity means we are having financial losses, and that has a major impact," he stated.

While offshore platforms typically have backup internet connections, older systems may experience delays in switching networks and struggle with the growing number of connected applications. IEC Telecom has dedicated the past five years to developing technology aimed at reducing the switchover time for backup connections from minutes to seconds. This system automatically detects connection failures and transitions to an alternative network, prioritizing essential services while managing less critical internet activity to conserve bandwidth. Alerts are sent to both offshore teams and company headquarters during this automated process.

Maintaining reliable connections across multiple offshore facilities can be costly, particularly for companies managing extensive fleets of vessels and drilling platforms. Alsadi mentioned that backup connectivity previously constituted about 10% of the total connectivity and managed services costs at an offshore site. However, advancements in technology could potentially reduce this to around 5% through more efficient internet traffic management.

Yazad Darasha, co-founder of UAE research company White Paper Media Consulting, noted that AI is poised to revolutionize the energy sector. "AI is rapidly transforming the energy sector, creating opportunities to improve operational efficiency, optimise maintenance, reduce downtime, balance supply and demand, and integrate distributed energy resources," Darasha said. "In the UAE, investment is also gaining momentum," he added, citing data projecting the AI-in-energy market to surpass $150 million by 2030, driven by major players like Adnoc and Dewa accelerating their adoption of AI-driven solutions. He considers this figure conservative, with research suggesting potential investment could double that amount.