Microsoft says AI is making cyberattacks faster and more scalable as the UAE ranks sixth globally for customer impact from cyber activity and expands AI-powered government cybersecurity.
DUBAI: Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the global cybersecurity landscape, accelerating both cyberattacks and defensive capabilities as the UAE expands the use of AI across government, businesses and critical infrastructure.
Microsoft’s Digital Defence Report 2026, released during Cyber Security Month, identifies AI, identity-based attacks and interconnected digital ecosystems among the defining cybersecurity challenges of the year. The findings are based on Microsoft’s analysis of more than 165 trillion security signals every day.
UAE ranks high for cyber activity
Microsoft data shows that during the first half of 2026, the UAE ranked sixth globally among countries where customers were most frequently impacted by cyber activity. It ranked second in the Middle East and Africa.
The figures come as the UAE rapidly integrates AI into public services, enterprise operations and digital infrastructure, increasing the need for cybersecurity systems capable of detecting and responding to threats at greater speed.
Microsoft says AI is increasingly being used by attackers for reconnaissance, phishing, exploit development and other parts of the attack chain. At the same time, defenders are using the technology to analyse threats, identify vulnerabilities and respond more quickly.
AI-powered defence expands in UAE
Microsoft, the UAE Cyber Security Council and Core42 have announced plans to deploy MDASH, Microsoft’s AI-powered cybersecurity capability, across UAE government entities.
The system is intended to help security teams identify vulnerabilities, prioritise risks and respond faster while supporting sovereignty, privacy and operational-resilience requirements.
The report also stresses that digital identities remain a key target. Attackers continue to exploit credentials, accounts and trusted access, making strong authentication, identity governance and reduced reliance on passwords increasingly important.
Impact to expect
As AI adoption accelerates across the UAE, organisations are likely to increase investment in AI-driven threat detection, identity protection and cyber resilience, with cybersecurity becoming more closely integrated into digital-transformation strategies.
