In Q4 2023, the number of successful cyberattacks in the Middle East doubled compared to the previous year and tripled in Q1 2024, according to Positive Technologies. The cybersecurity firm revealed these findings during Gitex 2024, citing an alarming rise in hacktivist attacks and targeting by APT (advanced persistent threat) groups due to escalating geopolitical conflicts.
Hacktivist attacks have become a growing element of modern conflict, with increasing DDoS assaults on media and government institutions. APT groups, meanwhile, executed complex, long-term cyberattacks, focusing primarily on government and energy sectors, aiming to steal data, disrupt operations, and impact critical infrastructure.
Irina Zinovkina, Head of Information Security Analytics Research at Positive Technologies, highlighted the growing involvement of cyberattacks in regional conflicts: “Rising tensions in the Middle East will likely lead to more large-scale, destructive cyberattacks, especially if groups form alliances.”
Data breaches were the most frequent consequence of cyberattacks in the region, with the public sector being the most targeted, followed by the manufacturing industry. Social engineering tactics, bolstered by AI, led to a significant increase in phishing attacks, with email phishing soaring by 222% in the second half of 2023.
To counter the surge in cyberthreats, Positive Technologies advises organisations to adopt a result-driven cybersecurity approach. This proactive strategy uses cutting-edge tools, such as SIEM systems, EDR solutions, and advanced sandboxes, to build resilient defenses and safeguard against non-tolerable events that could disrupt business operations. By leveraging these technologies, organisations can enhance their cybersecurity posture, detect suspicious activities, and mitigate the risk of critical data breaches.
