Cyber Security

ADGM Data Protection Regulation 2021: UAE Businesses Continuing to Strive for Data Protection Excellence

Published

3 years ago

February 2, 2022

February 14th, 2022 will mark the first anniversary of the enactment of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Data Protection Regulation 2021, which was introduced with the aim of creating a world-class data protection framework that protects personal data, while also making foreign data transfers easier by aligning with the EU’s GDPR. One year on, UAE organisations have made significant progress in their data protection efforts, with 58% claiming that their security measures have kept up with COVID-led digital transformation projects, compared to just 43% in the year before, according to recent research by Veritas.

However, many UAE organisations still lack clarity about the data they might need to protect. According to Veritas research, an average of 38% of the data UAE organisations are storing is “dark” – that is to say, they don’t know what it is – and that a further 49% is Redundant, Obsolete, or Trivial (ROT). This one-year anniversary marks the end of the twelve-month transition period set by ADGM, meaning that organisations operating within the jurisdiction and beyond, are now bound to ensure compliance with the new requirements of the regulation. Failure to comply carries the risk of stiff financial penalties of up to $28 million for serious breaches.

Johnny Karam, Managing Director & Vice President of International Emerging Region at Veritas, said, “The last 18-24 months have been tough on businesses – the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to accelerate their digital transformation journeys, creating yet another layer of complexity for compliance. Unfortunately, many organisations are now lagging behind when it comes to protecting their IT environments, leaving them badly exposed to digital risk. The good news is UAE businesses have recognised this gap in their security measures and 21% confident that they will be able to close the gap this year, putting them in better stead for regulatory compliance.”

Another key challenge over the past 18 months has been the mass shift to remote working, which has led to employees becoming increasingly reliant on cloud-based technologies. Unfortunately, the more people there are accessing cloud drives and shared documents, the more opportunities there are for human error and data loss incidents to occur. In fact, recent Veritas research revealed that just 18% of employees would immediately alert their IT department if they had accidentally introduced ransomware into their organisations through shared cloud environments. Another 43% said they would either do nothing or pretend it hadn’t happened. This could have serious consequences for businesses that are missing the opportunity to prevent data breaches and maintain compliance with regulations.

Karam continued, “Regulations, such as the ADGM Data Protection Regulation 2021, are setting the gold standard for protecting personal data. This is a significant opportunity for organisations to reassess the security measures across their IT environments to not only improve data protection, but to also increase companywide efficiency, improve customer experiences, and open up new revenue streams. The UAE is a global hub for innovation. However, the rise in increasingly sophisticated cybercrime means that organisations need to ensure their security measures evolve just as quickly as their digital transformation efforts to keep their data safe. Modern data protection platforms that can operate across the entire data estate – both in your data centre and the public cloud – can help businesses radically reduce the time and effort required to manage data protection and compliance protocols, thereby fulfilling their obligations to the ADGM Data Protection Regulations without shouldering the burden of managing various protection solutions.”

Note: Changes in text in the first and second paragraph
Last edited: 14th February, 2022

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Cyber Security

AmiViz Champions Cybersecurity Innovation at Leading MENA Events

Published

14 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Prarthana Mary

AmiViz has announced its successful participation in two key regional cybersecurity conferences: MENA ISC 2024 in Saudi Arabia, and CYSEC UAE 2024 in the UAE. These events have served as a platform for AmiViz to collaborate with its top vendors, including Bitsight, Cequence Security, Picus Security, AlgoSec, BlackBerry, Check Point, Tenable, Asimily, and Threatcop, to showcase cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies and solutions.

Throughout these events, AmiViz engaged deeply with partners and customers, gaining invaluable insights into the unique cybersecurity challenges faced in the region. The focus was on promoting new technologies that address these challenges and enhance security protocols for businesses operating in the dynamic Middle Eastern market.

“Our presence at the MENA ISC 2024, and CYSEC UAE 2024 has been a remarkable opportunity for us to not only present our innovative solutions but also to understand firsthand the needs and pain points of our clients,” stated Ilyas Mohammed, COO at AmiViz. “Collaboration with our key vendors has allowed us to offer a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity products and services that cater specifically to the complexities of this region.”

AmiViz’s participation in these events underscores its commitment to advancing cybersecurity readiness and resilience across the Middle East. By leveraging strategic partnerships with leading global vendors, AmiViz continues to bring state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions to the forefront, helping businesses protect their critical assets against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

AmiViz, along with its key vendors, will continue participating in major tech events, with plans for a strong presence at GITEX next month. Following GITEX, the company is gearing up for Black Hat in Saudi Arabia this November, showcasing its cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions to the region.

Cyber Security

UAE and Saudi Arabia Face Unprecedented 70% Rise in Threats: Positive Technologies

Published

2 days ago

September 18, 2024

Prarthana Mary

Positive Technologies experts have unveiled comprehensive research on the shadow market of cybercriminal services targeting the Gulf countries. The UAE and Saudi Arabian organizations remain in the crosshairs of cybercriminals, and over half of all posts on darknet forums are about selling data and access to local companies’ infrastructures. Researchers have highlighted a sharp increase in the free distribution of such data on the dark web, along with a surge in reports of DDoS attacks targeting the public sector and other industries. One in five ads analyzed was related to buying or selling access, with two-thirds available for under $1,000.

According to the research, cybercriminals remain focused on the two largest economies in the region—the UAE (40% of all posts) and Saudi Arabia (26%). The spotlight on darknet forums is on the public sector, which accounted for 21% of all analyzed posts. Most of the data (63%) related to regional government institutions was published for free as part of hacktivist attacks. Next in line for most popular on the dark web are commerce (16% of all ads), the service sector (15%), and financial institutions (13%).

Amid geopolitical tensions, hacker groups have ramped up calls for DDoS attacks and breaches to disrupt government institutions in the region. In the first half of 2024, the number of reports on the results of DDoS attacks on the dark web surged by 70% compared to the same period in 2023. Beyond the public sector, hacktivists also targeted the financial and transportation sectors.

According to the research, 33% of all the analyzed ads were linked to data breaches. One-third of these messages were about selling information. In these ads, criminals primarily offered databases stolen from major commerce companies, with an average cost of $2,300.

Positive Technologies analyst Anastasiya Chursina commented, “When compared to our previous research over a similar period, the share of freely distributed data almost doubled (up to 59%). This allows criminals to broaden the profiles of potential victims for targeted attacks. If the victim refuses to pay the ransom, both ransomware groups, as well as hacktivists (whose goal is to draw public attention to a political stance rather than just receive financial gain), can distribute data for free.”

Accessing company information resources is the second most common type of dark web ads, making up 21% of all listings. According to the research, in 70% of all cases, access can be bought for less than $1,000. The vast amount of access-for-sale ads on the darknet and their low cost make it easier for cybercriminals to gain initial access and launch attacks on organizations in the region.

Positive Technologies recommends that companies build their defences based on result-driven cybersecurity, using modern tools such as application-level firewalls, including cloud versions, network traffic analysis systems, solutions for monitoring information security events and managing incidents, as well as metaproducts.

Cyber Security

BotGuard OÜ to Offer Live Demos at GITEX GLOBAL 2024

Published

2 days ago

September 18, 2024

Chris Fernando

BotGuard OÜ will present its intuitive, user-friendly cybersecurity solution at GITEX GLOBAL 2024, focusing on effective bot protection. Live demonstrations in Hall 25 stand H25-21 will showcase the ease and efficiency of the technology in securing websites against malicious attacks. “Our participation in GITEX GLOBAL 2024 underscores our commitment to addressing the escalating malicious bot attacks faced by organizations worldwide,” said Bertil Brendeke, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) of BotGuard OÜ. “At GITEX, we aim to engage with industry leaders and stakeholders, sharing our expertise and practical technologies that can help fortify their defences.”

In 2023, 17% of API attacks involved bad bots exploiting business logic vulnerabilities. For hosting companies, such vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorised access to sensitive customer data or control over hosting resources, further emphasizing the need for reliable security protocols and regular audits of their systems. “BotGuard OÜ’s solutions are designed to address these exact challenges, enabling businesses to safeguard their digital assets. The technology is incredibly easy to use, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes,” the company said.

By participating in GITEX GLOBAL 2024, BotGuard OÜ aims to expand its reach in the Middle East, providing local businesses with the tools they need to combat cyber threats effectively. During the event, live demonstrations in Hall 25 stand H25-21 will showcase how their website protection can be set up within a minute. These demonstrations will highlight the efficiency and effectiveness of BotGuard’s solutions.