Khaberni - Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, the head of the Cyber Security Council of the UAE government, warned that periods of wars and crises increase the level of cybersecurity threats with increased attempts at hacking, spying, misinformation, and targeting individuals through their home devices and digital accounts.
He said: «We direct unequivocally and explicitly to adopt a series of measures immediately and without hesitation, among the most important of which is changing the default passwords immediately for all home cameras and smart devices, using strong and complex passwords that combine upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols, and activating two-factor authentication in accounts and applications linked to cameras and sensitive devices.»
Al Kuwaiti directed the necessity of connecting devices to a secure, protected internet with strong encryption and updating router settings, disabling the remote access feature whenever it is no longer needed, continuously updating firmware and applications to address known security vulnerabilities, reviewing permissions of applications and devices, and not granting any unnecessary permissions.
He called for separating sensitive devices from the main network whenever possible, especially surveillance cameras and smart home systems.
He emphasized the importance of increasing digital caution, «because attacks during these times target not only institutions but extend to individuals and families», warning against opening links or files from unknown sources, even if they appear to come from trusted entities. He stressed the importance of verifying news and information before sharing them to avoid falling into misinformation and rumor campaigns, and being wary of phishing messages that exploit fear or are related to urgent security events.
He alerted the need to keep periodic backup copies of important data on secure and separate media, and secure personal, banking, and email accounts, as they are primary targets for attackers.
He said: «It is necessary to stop sharing geographic location and sensitive information on apps and social platforms during crises, follow alerts issued by the relevant official authorities, and adhere to technical and security guidelines.» Al Kuwaiti emphasized that «cybersecurity in times of crisis is no longer a technical option, but a personal and national security necessity, and any slight negligence in a home device or personal account could become a gateway for hacking, surveillance, or extortion.»
He reinforced that digital awareness and discipline in daily practices are the first line of defense against cyber threats during wars, pointing out that «in exceptional situations, we affirm that protecting personal digital space begins with the individual himself, and adherence to basic preventive measures significantly reduces the chances of breaches and exploitation».
He remarked that «during periods of tension and wars, individual cybersecurity immunity becomes an integral part of the overall security system, necessitating constant vigilance, disciplined digital behavior, and a conscious response to emerging threats.» Khaberni -
