CSC calls for adherence to safe digital practices in cyberspace

As part of the weekly awareness campaign of the Cyber Pulse initiative launched by the Cyber Security Council (CSC), the Council emphasized in its weekly awareness message the importance of adhering to safe digital practices in cyberspace during the new year, in order to effectively address potential risks and threats. It stressed that cybercrime is evolving rapidly, driven by increasingly sophisticated and intelligent attacks.

In its weekly awareness message, the Cyber Security Council affirmed that adopting and maintaining smart and secure cyber habits significantly helps individuals mitigate the consequences of growing cyber and digital threats. It noted that such habits contribute to the creation of a secure cyber environment and may also yield substantial economic returns. Global cybercrime costs are expected to reach USD 11.9 trillion in 2026, and could rise to USD 19.7 trillion by 2030. The Council further highlighted that a cyberattack occurs every 39 seconds, underscoring that safe cyber habits are a necessity rather than a luxury in the face of escalating cybersecurity threats.

The Council reiterated in its weekly awareness message that cybercrime continues to evolve rapidly due to more complex and intelligent attacks. These risks include the exposure of personal information, loss of files, unauthorized access to accounts, violations of privacy, and data theft, placing individuals, businesses, and institutions alike at risk, not only from cyber and digital threats, but from broader security risks as well. Many of these threats, the Council noted, can be mitigated through the implementation of appropriate security measures.

Through the weekly awareness message of the Cyber Pulse campaign, the Cyber Security Council outlined a set of measures aimed at promoting a culture of cybersecurity and smart digital practices. These include securing home and workplace Wi-Fi networks; ensuring continuous updates of devices and software and verifying their effectiveness; and confirming the security of websites and applications before use or before integrating them into work-related files. In addition, the Council called for the regular review of application permissions, deletion of outdated and unused accounts, encryption of email communications, activation of virtual private networks (VPNs) when connecting to Wi-Fi, routine data backups for personal and corporate information, and ensuring the security of databases hosted on cloud services.

The Council stressed the importance of raising awareness among citizens, individuals, and families alike regarding these practices, and cautioned against falling victim to fraudulent messages in order to avoid hacking attempts and data theft. This requires individuals and families to adopt defensive tools, technologies, and habits rooted in knowledge, awareness, and a clear understanding of the scale of risks posed by rapid technological and cyber developments.

The Cyber Security Council affirmed that confronting these risks begins at the individual level by strengthening cyber literacy and awareness of the risks associated with continuous cyber advancements. It emphasized the importance of recognizing that many threats originate from seemingly minor issues whose risks may not be immediately apparent, yet can be avoided through simple and accessible measures that ensure the safe presence of all family members in the digital space. This underscores the need for individuals and families to remain constantly vigilant against any potential hacking or data theft attempts.

Now in its second consecutive year, the Cyber Pulse awareness campaign launched by the Cyber Security Council continues across social media platforms as part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to build a secure cyberspace that protects users from growing digital risks and keeps pace with rapid technological advancements. The campaign aligns with a comprehensive national vision to enhance trust in the country’s digital ecosystem, strengthen the culture of cybersecurity, raise digital awareness among individuals and families, and reinforce cybersecurity practices to safeguard the safety and privacy of citizens and residents in an era of accelerated digital transformation.