The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Centre has issued a warning over rising cyber threats during crises, as officials revealed that Iran is using artificial intelligence tools to launch cyberattacks targeting the UAE.
In its Cybersecurity Awareness Guide During Crises, the Centre identified key threats including phishing, malware, identity theft, fake social media accounts, and AI-driven fraud such as deepfakes, which are increasingly used to deceive victims and spread misinformation.
Mohammed Al Kuwaiti of the UAE Cybersecurity Council said AI is now a core tool in modern cyber warfare, enabling attackers to gather data, detect vulnerabilities, enhance phishing campaigns, and create convincing fake content at scale.
He noted that recent attacks reflect a shift toward faster, more sophisticated, and cost-effective cyber operations powered by AI.
Authorities said cyberattacks tend to spike during crises due to fear, confusion, and the rapid spread of misinformation, making individuals more vulnerable to scams and deception.
Recent reports also indicate a surge in cyberattacks across the UAE amid regional tensions, with attempts reaching hundreds of thousands daily and targeting critical sectors such as finance, government systems, and utilities.
The Centre urged the public to remain vigilant by avoiding suspicious links, not sharing personal information or passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and relying only on official sources for updates.
Officials emphasized that public awareness remains the first line of defense as cyber threats grow more advanced and increasingly driven by artificial intelligence.
