CSC emphasizes the importance of secure cloud storage

As part of the weekly awareness campaign of the "Cyber Pulse" initiative launched by the Cyber Security Council (CSC), the Council emphasized the critical importance of cloud storage in addressing the growing digital and cyber threats. In its weekly awareness message, the “Cyber Pulse” campaign highlighted that cloud storage enables individuals and users to reduce risks, limit fraudsters’ access to user data, and safeguard personal information.

The Council also pointed out several common cloud storage mistakes that individuals must avoid to protect their personal and financial data in cyberspace. The weekly campaign noted out the most prominent errors which include; granting excessive identity and access management permissions, failing to enable multi-factor authentication, overreliance on public cloud storage that may expose sensitive data and facilitate the spread of malware, misconfigured security settings that leave critical systems vulnerable, absence of encryption (both at rest and in transit), and downloading applications without verifying their source or security standards, These mistakes expose many users to significant risks that directly threaten their digital security.

CSC stressed the importance of reviewing all settings on mobile phones and personal devices. It also outlined several measures to secure digital cloud environments, most notably the use of a VPN when connecting to public or open networks. Furthermore, the Council emphasized the necessity of encrypting personal and financial data before uploading it to the cloud, enabling two-factor authentication to prevent cyber breaches or fraud, and using strong passwords.

The weekly awareness campaign indicated that approximately 70% of cloud breaches result from misconfigurations, adding that 60% of organizations expected to strengthen their cloud security configurations by 2026. It warned that poor cloud storage practices may lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, major privacy violations, data theft, espionage on user activity, and broader compromises of personal privacy and security.

The Council also provided a set of recommendations for staying safe while using cloud services, including relying on trusted and secure cloud providers, enabling encryption, regularly reviewing security settings, permissions and access controls, and strengthening overall cloud protection. In its weekly awareness message under the "Cyber Pulse" campaign, the Council stressed that untrusted cloud services are among the leading sources of malware distribution worldwide. Such services may serve as channels for malicious applications, some of which operate in the background without the user’s knowledge, collecting data or transmitting it to unknown entities. Even more concerning, a single insecure application may be sufficient to enable a full device compromise, underscoring the importance of digital awareness and caution when downloading any new application.

The “Cyber Pulse” awareness campaign launched by the Cyber Security Council and now in its second consecutive year across social media platforms, forms part of the United Arab Emirates’ ongoing efforts to build a secure cyberspace that protects users from escalating digital threats and keeps pace with rapid technological advancements. This initiative aligns with a comprehensive national vision to strengthen trust in the country’s digital ecosystem, promote cyber security culture, enhance digital awareness among families and individuals, and reinforce cyber security practices to ensure the safety and privacy of citizens and residents in an era of accelerated digital transformation.