UAE prepared for cyber threats

The UAE attorney general told a cybercrime conference that the country has comprehensive legislation to combat threats from cyber criminals.

ABU DHABI // The UAE has comprehensive legislation to combat threats from cyber criminals, the attorney general said.

Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi was speaking at the International Conference on the Criminalisation of Cyber-Terrorism in Abu Dhabi. His comments came in the same week that countries across the globe were attacked and held to ransom by hackers.

Dr Al Shamsi said the UAE’s laws provide a deterrent while respecting the rights of individuals, state news agency Wam reported.

The conference, which continues on Tuesday, aims to find common ground to formulate a system of international laws and legislation to counteract terrorism in cyberspace.

Dr Al Shamsi emphasised that the conference had gained considerable importance from the scientific value and expertise from academics, representatives of international organisations, research institutions and private sector organisations.

The participants discussed cybercrime legislation, culture and society and the balance between human rights principles and efforts to combat cyber-terrorism.

According to Wam: “These are extremely important topics that are expected to rise in importance in the future, based on the considerable scientific revolution currently witnessed by the world in the field of information technology and the resulting advanced criminal methods that are increasing steadily as a result of the negative use of cyberspace.”