From missiles to malware: Why the Gulf is stepping up its operational resilience 

A surge in cyberattacks, physical strikes on cloud infrastructure and the growing use of AI by both attackers and defenders are forcing Gulf states to rethink how they protect critical digital infrastructure.   

The importance of enhancing operational resilience across the Gulf has taken on new urgency since the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war on February 28. 

In the UAE alone, daily cyberattack attempts surged from roughly 200,000 to as many as 700,000 as geopolitical tensions flared over recent months. Last week, the UAE’s financial sector was targeted by a wave of sophisticated cyberattacks. 

While they were successfully thwarted, the country’s Cyber Security Council noted that cybercriminals are increasingly using AI to develop more advanced techniques. 

A report published last month by Help AG, the cybersecurity arm of UAE telecoms operator e&, highlighted how AI has emerged as a force multiplier, enabling attackers to accelerate reconnaissance and adapt techniques in real time.   

As a result, attack lifecycles are compressing. In the first quarter of 2026, Help AG observed how the use of AI has allowed bad actors to complete attacks 65% faster than before, with some causing damage less than 40 hours after first gaining access. 

Read more: GCC debt markets have rallied since the ceasefire, but tight liquidity remains a key hurdle

“The signal across global research is consistent: attackers are compressing the attack lifecycle,” the report authors noted. “The Middle East reflects the same pattern—but under higher exposure intensity.”   

The rapid digital transformation taking place across the region has increased its exposure to cyberattacks, often leading to more severe economic consequences. 

According to a recent IBM report, the average cost of a data breach in the Middle East stood at $7.29 million in 2025—significantly above the global average of $4.44 million.  

Information security spending across MENA is expected to reach $4.07 billion in 2026, up 10.1% from 2025, according to Gartner.  

In the GCC, sectors such as financial services,........

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