CloudSEK Tackles Rising AI-Driven Cyber Risks in the Middle East
Cyber threats in the Middle East are escalating, with state-sponsored groups, ideologically motivated actors, and cybercriminals increasingly targeting critical sectors. According to CloudSEK, the weaponization of artificial intelligence (AI), third-party exposure, and vulnerabilities in interconnected IT and operational technology environments are compounding risks for organizations in the region.
Insights from the Middle East Threat Exposure Report
Gurdip Singh, VP of Sales & Partnerships for EMEA & APAC at CloudSEK, discussed findings from the company’s latest Middle East Threat Exposure Report, which highlights a significant increase in coordinated cyberattacks across the UAE and other Middle Eastern markets. The report indicates that approximately 1,000 attacks were recorded in the latest quarter, with banking, financial services, telecommunications, and government sectors being the most targeted. The rise of AI weaponization has enabled threat actors to conduct more sophisticated and targeted campaigns.
Singh noted that various threat groups, including state-sponsored entities like APT33, APT34, MuddyWater, and OilRig, are actively exploiting vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. Their tactics have evolved to include distributed denial-of-service attacks, hacking, and targeted disruptions, particularly against sectors such as government, financial services, and healthcare.
“Threat actors are also using AI to improve reconnaissance, automate elements of their operations, and conduct more coordinated attacks,” Singh stated.
Addressing AI-Related Risks and Third-Party Vulnerabilities
As AI adoption accelerates, many organizations lack formal governance policies for managing AI-related cyber risks, creating an often-overlooked attack surface. CloudSEK’s AIVigil platform helps enterprises monitor their external AI attack surface, providing visibility into potential exposures and enabling early risk identification.
Moreover, third-party risk management has become a critical compliance priority for organizations. CloudSEK’s SVigil tool continuously monitors third- and fourth-party vendors for cyber vulnerabilities and digital risks, helping security teams identify weaknesses before they can be exploited. This proactive approach is essential for strengthening operational resilience across supply chains.
“This visibility helps security teams identify weaknesses before threat actors can exploit them,” Singh emphasized.
Lessons from the Real Estate and Aviation Sectors
CloudSEK’s experience in securing the real estate and aviation sectors reveals that these industries are high-value targets due to their large customer bases and sensitive data management. Persistent attempts to harvest investor and customer data have been noted in the UAE’s real estate sector, while aviation organizations face risks from interconnected IT and operational technology environments that could disrupt essential services.
To mitigate these risks, Singh advocates for a proactive security approach based on continuous monitoring and early threat detection.
CloudSEK’s Regional Growth Strategy
CloudSEK’s regional strategy emphasizes local investment and a partner-led approach. The company has established a dedicated team to support customers throughout their cybersecurity journey, focusing on enablement, certification, and education. Collaborations with local partners and government entities, including the Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, are central to CloudSEK’s expansion plans in the Middle East.
Follow Cyber Warriors Middle East for further regional cybersecurity developments.
