UAE Cyber Security Chief Reveals Hacker Demanded Over $5 Million in Private Firm Extortion Attempt

A hacker demanded a ransom exceeding $5 million after successfully breaching a private sector company in the UAE, according to the nation's top cyber security official. Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, head of cyber security for the UAE Government, revealed that the malicious attack involved destroying data tied to the company's infrastructure alongside an attempt to leak stolen information.

“I got a phone call from the hacker, and he asked me to pay a ransom of more than $5 million,” Dr Al Kuwaiti stated during a panel discussion at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai, speaking with Sami Kasmi of Sky News Arabia. He noted that the attacker claimed familiarity with the organization's details, and portions of the stolen data were subsequently circulated across Telegram and the dark web.

While Dr Al Kuwaiti withheld the name of the targeted company and the exact timing of the call, he emphasized that authorities collaborated closely with the private sector to thwart the attack and block data leaks. This disclosure underscores mounting cyber security pressures in the UAE. Previously in August, the UAE Cyber Security Council reported that national defense teams intercepted and neutralized sophisticated, coordinated attacks targeting the aviation, energy, and education sectors before vital systems could be compromised, following a wave of attacks against financial institutions in July.

Dr Al Kuwaiti has pointed out that the UAE confronts hundreds of thousands of daily cyber attacks, with criminals increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence alongside ransomware and data breaches.

Addressing the broader landscape during the panel, Dr Al Kuwaiti warned that cyber threats now transcend traditional system breaches to target public perception through misinformation, rumors, and manipulated media. He categorized this development as “fifth-generation warfare,” characterized by decentralised threats and cyber terrorism aimed at swaying societies. Although artificial intelligence aids authorities in countering false narratives swiftly, he stressed that human oversight remains vital for maintaining credibility and reliability.

Dr Al Kuwaiti advised the public to critically evaluate online information, even when it appears to originate from trusted sources. He shared that an official account managed by an unidentified entity was recently compromised and exploited to spread disinformation before officials regained control.

Discussing the societal impacts of manipulated media and online bullying, Dr Al Kuwaiti cited the troubling case of a schoolgirl whose education suffered severe disruption due to cyber harassment. “There is a kid, a girl, that was subjected to bullying,” he said, noting she required rehabilitation before returning to school. He cautioned that phishing and manipulated content pose tangible risks to children, schools, and the wider community.

Despite these risks, Dr Al Kuwaiti maintained that artificial intelligence is predominantly applied for beneficial purposes. “The vast majority of interactions – 95 per cent – are positive,” he noted. He highlighted that the UAE has established robust policies, compliance standards, and ethical guidelines to govern advanced technologies, including autonomous AI systems. In May, the nation introduced the Cyber Factory initiative to fortify national defenses and reinforce digital sovereignty.

“More than 50 per cent of government entities are currently automating various processes, doing so with a strong emphasis on ethics and oversight,” Dr Al Kuwaiti said, while acknowledging the potential for misuse. “We must manage this technology positively and harness it for the greater good of society,” he added, while calling on social media influencers and content creators to exercise vigilance and rely strictly on official sources.