AI-powered cybersecurity for UAE's critical infrastructure

Cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure in the UAE are evolving at a pace never seen before, fuelled by the rise of AI-enabled threats and increasingly complex attack vectors. As ransomware campaigns surge and misconfigurations leave thousands of digital assets exposed, traditional defences are proving insufficient. To stay ahead, the UAE is turning to AI-powered cybersecurity to protect vital sectors such as government, finance, and energy. Let's explore how AI is transforming cybersecurity, the strategic benefits for defence and critical infrastructure operators, and the role of innovation in driving the UAE’s cyber resilience and economic growth.

The current cybersecurity landscape in UAE's critical sectors

The UAE faces an unprecedented cybersecurity crisis with over 223,800 digital assets currently exposed to potential cyberattacks, according to the State of the UAE Cybersecurity Report 2025. This staggering number represents only half the story, as ransomware activity has surged by 58% in 2025, driven by sophisticated groups like LockBit, RansomHub, and Medusa deploying AI-enabled malware that adapts in real time. The threat landscape has evolved beyond traditional attacks to include deepfake-driven social engineering and autonomous AI malware capable of navigating networks independently.

Critical infrastructure sectors, including government, finance, and energy, face the highest risk, with misconfiguration accounting for 32% of cyber vulnerabilities. The UAE Cyber Security Council has identified that half of these critical vulnerabilities remain unaddressed, creating a vast attack surface for threat actors increasingly using AI to launch phishing attacks and breach critical infrastructure at scale.

AI-driven threat detection and response capabilities

Modern AI-powered cybersecurity solutions are revolutionising how organisations detect and respond to threats across the UAE's critical infrastructure. These systems leverage machine learning algorithms to analyse millions of security events per second, identifying patterns and anomalies that human analysts might miss. According to recent industry data, AI-driven security platforms can reduce threat detection time from hours to milliseconds while achieving accuracy rates above 95%.

The implementation of 24/7 AI-powered Security Operations Centers (SOCs) enables continuous monitoring and automated response to emerging threats. These intelligent systems can predict attack vectors, automatically isolate compromised systems, and initiate remediation protocols without human intervention.

For defence and critical infrastructure sectors, this means the ability to:

• Detect and address cybersecurity events as they happen
• Maintain operational continuity even under sustained cyber assault
• Strengthen future defences, with AI systems learning from each attack

AI-powered cyber governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) platforms such as 6clicks equip government, defence, and critical infrastructure sectors with advanced threat detection and response capabilities to enable robust security and proactive risk management.

With AI and automation, organisations can:

• Extract risks and issues directly from assessments
• Instantly identify control gaps through automated mapping to compliance requirements
• Automatically generate remediation tasks to enable effective prioritisation and timely response
• Continuously validate control effectiveness with real-time control tests and security alerts

6clicks unifies risk, compliance, and audit management in one centralised system to empower entities in government, defence, and critical infrastructure to maintain a single source of truth, providing them with instant access to key metrics through turnkey reports and dashboards. This delivers real-time visibility, faster response, and more confident decision-making.

Implementing AI governance frameworks for secure operations

The UAE's National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 emphasises the critical need for robust AI governance frameworks that balance innovation with security. Organisations must implement comprehensive policies and procedures that address algorithmic bias, data privacy, and security vulnerabilities specific to AI deployments. These frameworks enable proactive risk identification and mitigation while ensuring compliance with UAE's evolving regulatory landscape.

Successful AI governance requires establishing clear accountability structures, continuous monitoring systems, and transparent decision-making processes. Best practices for critical infrastructure operators include:

• Implementing AI risk assessments
• Maintaining audit trails for AI decisions
• Ensuring human oversight of automated security systems

6clicks helps defence and critical infrastructure organisations simplify alignment with globally recognised AI governance frameworks such as the NIST AI RMF and ISO/IEC 42001, providing comprehensive content and functionality for conducting AI risk and system impact assessments, implementing AI controls, and streamlining compliance audits.

By embedding AI governance into existing risk management systems, organisations can accelerate innovation while maintaining the security standards required for national infrastructure protection.

Strategic benefits for defence and critical infrastructure

AI integration delivers transformative benefits for UAE's defence and critical infrastructure sectors, enabling predictive maintenance, enhanced situational awareness, and rapid incident response. SOCs deploying AI-powered copilots have reported reductions in false positive alerts of up to 70%, while organisations using AI-based XDR solutions have achieved 60–70% faster incident response times. These improvements translate directly into operational resilience and cost savings, with some organisations achieving ROI within 18 months of implementation.

Beyond operational efficiency, AI-driven cybersecurity supports the UAE's strategic objectives outlined in the National AI Strategy 2031. By protecting critical infrastructure with intelligent security systems, the UAE positions itself as a trusted hub for international partnerships and foreign investment. The integration of AI into cybersecurity frameworks also enables knowledge transfer and capability building, creating a skilled workforce aligned with the nation's vision to generate AED 335 billion in AI-driven economic growth by 2031.

Building resilient AI-powered security ecosystems

Creating a resilient AI-powered security ecosystem requires coordinated efforts across government, the private sector, and technology partners. The UAE's approach emphasises building secure data-sharing platforms, establishing AI test beds for security innovation, and fostering collaboration between national and international cybersecurity agencies. This ecosystem approach ensures that AI security capabilities evolve alongside emerging threats while maintaining interoperability across critical sectors.

Organisations must focus on three key pillars: infrastructure hardening with AI-enhanced security controls, workforce development through AI literacy programs, and continuous adaptation through threat intelligence sharing. The establishment of sector-specific AI security standards and regular tabletop exercises involving AI scenarios ensures readiness for sophisticated attacks. By 2027, the UAE aims to achieve full AI integration across all critical infrastructure security operations, setting a global benchmark for AI-powered national security.

Final thoughts: Building AI-powered resilience in UAE’s critical infrastructure

The UAE stands at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation, with AI reshaping how critical infrastructure is protected, governed, and strengthened against evolving threats. By pairing cutting-edge detection and response capabilities with robust AI governance frameworks, organisations in government, defence, and critical sectors can safeguard operations while contributing to the nation’s long-term economic and security goals.

• AI-powered SOCs enable real-time detection, automated response, and continuous learning from each attack

• AI governance frameworks such as NIST AI RMF and ISO/IEC 42001 provide structure for secure, responsible AI adoption

• Platforms like 6clicks unify risk, compliance, and audit management for streamlined oversight and audit readiness

• Coordinated ecosystem efforts across government, private sector, and partners strengthen resilience and interoperability

• Embedding AI into cybersecurity supports the UAE’s vision for innovation-driven growth and global leadership

Leverage AI innovation to build lasting cyber resilience and business growth. Get started with 6clicks today.