With cyber threats growing more sophisticated, organisations in the UAE face increasing pressure to stay secure. With national strategies pushing for greater digitalisation across public and private sectors, cyber security is now firmly at the top of the agenda. But with progress comes risk — and organisations across the UAE need to be more prepared than ever.
Where the UAE stands today
The UAE implements its National Cybersecurity Strategy as its primary framework. The framework provides all-encompassing protection for digital assets while promoting innovation alongside national resilience development.
Ransomware attacks have become more frequent in recent times. Analytics have projected damages will reach £265 billion globally by 2031, underscoring the urgent need for resilient, future-ready cyber security in high-growth markets like the UAE.
Supply chain attacks targeting third-party vendors have become more common because they provide attackers with entry points to access bigger systems. The complex nature of government and enterprise infrastructure makes it challenging to detect these threats and even more difficult to contain them.
What the numbers say
- A 2023 Cost of a Data Breach report found the average cost of a breach in the Middle East is $8.75 million — above the global average.
- A study reported a 23% increase in cyber-attacks targeting the UAE in the past year alone.
- UAE regulators are enforcing stronger compliance standards through the UAE Information Assurance Standards (IAS) and the Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC) frameworks.
Goaco’s Cyber Security services – Local insight, global standards
At Goaco, we understand the challenges unique to the UAE and KSA. Our cyber security solutions are designed to help organisations align with national regulations to stay secure, agile, and future-ready.
Here’s how we help
- Penetration testing – Real-world threats are simulated to identify vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.
- Our Security Operations Centre provides 24/7 monitoring and response services as part of our managed security services.
- Our team assists organisations with risk assessments and audit support to meet UAE’s IAS, NCA ECC and DESC regulatory requirements.
- Our team can help you integrate security elements into all phases of your digital transformation through Secure DevOps and software assurance.
- Our employee awareness training program teaches staff members to detect phishing attempts and respond to social engineering tactics and insider threats
Goaco provides trusted security expertise to protect government bodies and financial institutions and critical infrastructure providers.
Looking ahead
Cyber security in the UAE isn’t just about reacting to threats — it’s about building a long-term strategy. As AI, cloud adoption, and IoT accelerate, organisations must rethink their security models and move towards proactive, intelligence-led approaches.
Want to build a robust cyber strategy? Meet our experts at GISEC Global 2025
Join us at GISEC Global 2025 from 6 – 8 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre. You’ll find us at the UK Pavilion – Pod 1, in Hall 5, where our cyber security specialists will be available to discuss the latest in threat detection, compliance, and AI-powered defence. Book a meeting
Let’s talk about how we can help your organisation stay ahead of the threats.
Click here to learn more about our Cyber Security services.
About Goaco
Goaco is an award-winning global consultancy collaborating as a partner with the public and private sector, delivering innovative solutions and experiences that align to the needs of people, places and planet. Click here to find out more.
