Threat Intelligence

Gulf Nations Under Siege: UAE and Saudi Arabia Bear Brunt of Rising Cyberattacks

Dark Reading · 23 Sept 2026

Key Takeaway Review your third-party and supply chain connections regularly, since cyber risk in high-target regions like the Gulf can spill over into your own business through shared vendors and services.

New reporting shows that the United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia absorbed half of all cyberattacks recorded across the Gulf region during the first half of 2026. The findings point to a growing concentration of malicious activity targeting these two economies, which are seen as attractive targets due to their fast-growing digital infrastructure and prominence as regional business hubs.

While the source does not detail the specific attack types or threat actors involved, the scale of activity signals that organisations operating in or connected to these markets should expect increasingly complex and frequent cyber threats. Businesses with supply chain links, partners, or customers in the Gulf region may also face indirect exposure through shared vendors or digital services.

Australian small businesses with any trade, partnership, or cloud service ties to the Gulf region should take note, as rising attack volumes in one region can ripple outward through interconnected digital supply chains.

Gulf region cyberattacks UAE Saudi Arabia supply chain risk

Summarised by CISO AI from Dark Reading. We link back to every original so you can read it yourself.