More than 200 cyber attacks so far this year, UAE telecoms authority says

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority says number of offences was down more than 25% compared with same period in 2018

(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 23, 2018 a person works at a computer during the 10th International Cybersecurity Forum in Lille, France. 
The threat of cyberattacks against the US is at a "critical point," the country's intelligence chief has warned, branding Russia the most "aggressive foreign actor" ahead of President Donald Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN
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More than 200 cyber attacks against government and private sector companies were reported in the first eight months of the year, the UAE's telecoms authority said.

The Telecommunications Regulations Authority said 230 cyber attacks occurred from January to August of this year, a 27.4 per cent decline on the 317 recorded in the corresponding period in 2018.

The authority said its Computer Emergency Response Team prevented 40 attempts to infiltrate computer systems in August , down from 51 in the same month in 2018.

The TRA said it had launched a series of awareness campaigns across the Emirates, including lectures, seminars and workshops, to promote cyber safety.

Instances of cyber attacks include hacking, identity theft and fraud, the TRA said.