Cybercriminals exploit human behaviour in Middle East, says expert

“Cybercrime in the Middle East has shifted from a largely technical threat to a psychological one, with attackers now exploiting human behaviour rather than software weaknesses, a Doha-based industry expert has stated. According to Gem Soft CEO Michael Jordan, the change helps explain why awareness campaigns alone are failing to protect users. “The fact that so many people are confident in their ability to identify scams yet still become victims demonstrates that awareness alone is insufficient,” he pointed out. He stressed that cybersecurity must become part of everyday behaviour rather than a periodic technical exercise. “In financial markets, risk management succeeds when it becomes embedded in the culture. The same principle applies to cybersecurity,” Jordan noted. Jordan emphasised that practices such as multi-factor authentication, password management, and regular security reviews should become routine habits rather than exceptional measures. He warned that cybercriminals exploit fragmented digital environments, making trusted ecosystems one of the most effective countermeasures. “One of the most effective responses is to create trusted ecosystems where communications, collaboration, and information sharing can be governed and monitored more effectively,” he emphasised. Jordan urged continued investment in threat intelligence, AI-assisted detection, public-private information sharing, and rapid reporting mechanisms, as well as platforms that provide visibility and accountability. “Equally important is reducing the attack surface by encouraging trusted platforms that provide visibility, accountability, and stronger control over digital interactions,” he stressed. Earlier, a recent survey by cybersecurity and antivirus provider Kaspersky highlighted the scale of online scam exposure in the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa (META) region. The study found that “36%” of respondents encountered an online scam in the past year, while “37%” suffered data compromise or financial loss. Nearly half (“49%”) of those affected reported scams via social media platforms, followed by investment and financial fraud (“48%”), phishing emails (“43%”), and fake delivery or postal messages (“41%”). The survey also revealed inconsistent protective habits: while “57%” use strong and unique passwords, only “36%” check URLs before clicking, and “34%” avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities. Alarmingly, “6%” admit to using no protective measures at all. Just “35%” of respondents update passwords and review security settings regularly, while “41%” do so occasionally, “19%” rarely, and “5%” never take such actions, according to the survey. Jordan added: “The objective is not to eliminate risk altogether; it is to build resilience. Cyber threats will continue to evolve, but so will the technologies, talent, and institutions designed to address them.”

Summary generated from the RSS feed of Gulf Times Qatar. All article rights belong to the original publisher. Click through to read the full piece on www.gulf-times.com/qatar.