Rising Cyber Threats in the Middle East: Insights from Group-IB’s High-Tech Crime Trends Report 2025
Cyber Threats Surge in the Middle East: GCC Nations on High Alert
In a stark warning for businesses and governments alike, Group-IB’s High-Tech Crime Trends Report 2025 reveals a dramatic rise in state-sponsored cyber threats across the Middle East, particularly targeting Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The report highlights a 4.27% increase in Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) in the region, amidst a staggering global surge of 58%. Notably, 27.5% of these attacks were directed at GCC nations, underscoring their strategic significance in a geopolitically charged environment.
Ashraf Koheil, Regional Sales Director MEA at Group-IB, emphasized the interconnected nature of these cyber threats, stating, “Cybercrime is not a collection of isolated incidents, but an evolving ecosystem.” The report outlines a complex landscape where state-sponsored espionage, hacktivism, and phishing campaigns intertwine, posing significant risks to critical infrastructure and essential services.
The GCC is not alone in facing these threats; Egypt and Turkey also reported notable increases, with 13.2% and 9.9% of attacks respectively. The Middle East and Africa (MEA) region ranked third globally for hacktivist incidents, accounting for 16.54% of attacks, primarily targeting government and military sectors.
Despite the alarming rise in cyber threats, ransomware incidents in the MEA remained relatively low, with only 184 reported cases. However, the report raises concerns about Initial Access Brokers (IABs) exploiting vulnerabilities, particularly in GCC nations and Turkey.
Dmitry Volkov, CEO of Group-IB, highlighted the importance of collaboration in combating cybercrime, noting that the company has played a pivotal role in international law enforcement operations, leading to over 1,200 arrests. As the digital landscape evolves, the need for a unified defense strategy among financial institutions, telecommunications providers, and law enforcement has never been more critical.