A recent study by Cohesity reveals that 86 percent of employees in the UAE feel confident in identifying cyberattacks, significantly surpassing their peers in the EMEA region. This research highlights the UAE workforce’s readiness in the face of cyber threats, aligning with the national vision for digital resilience and AI-driven defense. The study involved full-time office workers from the UAE, United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

While 86 percent of UAE employees expressed confidence in recognizing potential cyber threats, the figures for other countries were lower: 81 percent in the UK, 80 percent in Germany, and only 62 percent in France. Additionally, 89 percent of respondents from the UAE trust their organizations’ capabilities to prevent and recover from cyberattacks. The willingness to act is also notable, with two-thirds of UAE employees indicating they would report suspicious activities to their cybersecurity teams, compared to 61 percent in the UK, 53 percent in Germany, and 48 percent in France.

However, the study also identified areas needing improvement. A small percentage of employees—15 percent—indicated they would try to resolve a threat independently, while 19 percent would contact personal connections first. These responses highlight a gap in internal reporting protocols that could pose risks to organizations. Among those reluctant to report incidents accurately, common reasons included fear of blame (46%), a belief that reporting was not their responsibility (27%), and concerns about overreacting (14%).

Johnny Karam, Managing Director and Vice President, International Emerging Region at Cohesity, stated that the findings showcase the UAE’s leadership in cybersecurity readiness across the EMEA region. He emphasized the importance of equipping employees with the necessary tools and confidence to respond promptly to cyber risks. Karam noted that fostering a culture where employees feel safe reporting potential threats is crucial for enhancing organizational resilience.

In line with the UAE’s ongoing investment in cybersecurity infrastructure, the study found that two-thirds of respondents had undergone cybersecurity training in the past year, with 39 percent attending multiple sessions. Furthermore, 51 percent of employees expressed a willingness to report suspicious incidents to the IT department, and 67 percent would notify a cybersecurity team. Awareness of cyber threats, particularly ransomware, is also on the rise, with 77 percent of employees familiar with the term.

Despite the high confidence levels, the study pointed out opportunities to improve internal reporting behavior. While many employees are confident, the 15 percent who would attempt to resolve a threat themselves indicates an area for further development. The study revealed that UAE employees were more likely to express fear of blame than their EMEA counterparts, which could hinder effective reporting.

Mark Molyneux, CTO, EMEA at Cohesity, highlighted the importance of matching awareness with decisive action. He stated that organizations must empower employees to make informed decisions quickly and create an environment that encourages reporting concerns in a safe space. Molyneux emphasized that AI-powered data security should be integrated into daily operations to counter evolving threats effectively.

The research was conducted by OnePoll with responses from 500 full-time office workers in the UAE to assess beliefs, behaviors, and preparedness regarding ransomware and other cyber threats. Cohesity, a leader in AI-powered data security, serves over 13,600 enterprise customers globally, including many Fortune 100 companies.