Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 28 | Page 95

/////////////////////////////////////////////////// t cht lk SYMANTEC EXPERT: WHAT DOES DATA LOSS MEAN FOR YOUR BUSINESS? Businesses in the Middle East need to get serious about data protection if they don’t want to be exposed to significant risks. Gordon Love, Vice President – EMEA Emerging Region, Symantec, provides us with a timely reminder about the importance of data protection. I n 2017, we saw attacks like Shamoon, WannaCry and Petya making headlines. According to Symantec’s 2017 Internet Security Threat Report (ISTR), the UAE was the second most targeted country (after Saudi Arabia) for ransomware attacks in the Middle East and Africa. in place but also the importance of data protection. With the rise of digitisation it takes just one simple but sophisticated attack to cripple critical infrastructure across various industries. In the Middle East governments have set up regulations to thwart cyberattacks. Furthermore, Symantec found one in 136 emails in the UAE contained a malicious link or attachment. Large enterprises (more than 2,501 employees) in the country received the most emails containing malware and phishing. The National E-Security Authority, established in 2012, regulates the protection of the communications networks and information systems in the UAE. Mega breaches are a stark reminder to not only have robust cybersecurity measures www.intelligentcio.com The authority is dedicated to data protection and online privacy, two main priorities to the UAE government when it comes to cybercrime and e-security. “ EMPLOYEES . . . CAN SIGN UP FOR CLOUD APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED BY IT. INTELLIGENTCIO 95