Cyberattacks Have Escalated Across the Middle East
Threat actors are using AI to automate operations against financial and government infrastructure in the region.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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CloudSEK recorded approximately 1,000 cyberattacks across the Middle East in the latest quarter, citing increased reliance on AI for automated reconnaissance. The findings are based on a threat exposure report covering the period from April 2025 through August 2026.
Why it matters
The surge in digital threats has forced sectors like banking and government to prioritize third-party supply chain security at the board level. Real estate and aviation remain high-value targets due to their large customer bases and sensitive data.
CloudSEK tracks attack surfaces using its AIVigil platform to monitor external AI activity and its SVigil platform to identify third- and fourth-party vendor vulnerabilities. These tools aggregate data on 1,000 quarterly incidents.
The players
CloudSEK
A cybersecurity firm that provides AI-driven monitoring platforms to track external threat surfaces and third-party vendor risks.
APT33
A state-sponsored cyber espionage group active in the region that focuses on infrastructure and sensitive data targets.
APT34
A state-sponsored advanced persistent threat group known for targeting financial and government sectors in the Middle East.
MuddyWater
A state-sponsored threat actor that utilizes automation and custom malware to compromise regional telecommunications and government networks.
OilRig
A state-sponsored cyber operation group that specializes in intelligence gathering and infrastructure disruption.
The details
Threat actors utilize AI to automate reconnaissance and scale their cyberattack operations against critical infrastructure. CloudSEK identifies several state-sponsored groups—including APT33, APT34, MuddyWater, and OilRig—as primary drivers of regional activity. Monitoring systems track these threats through the external attack surface and potential exploits within the vendor supply chain.
Timeline
April 2025 marked the start of the threat exposure reporting period.
August 2026 marked the end of the threat exposure reporting period.
The Tech Race
This reporting tracks the competitive landscape of regional cybersecurity where threat groups have moved toward AI-driven automation. It follows the trajectory set by the CloudSEK Middle East Threat Exposure Report to measure the effectiveness of vendor-based security monitoring.
Organizations in the region must address supply chain security as a board-level priority to mitigate risks from automated reconnaissance. CloudSEK has established local teams to assist businesses in the Middle East with technical support and customer success strategies.
The takeaway
The rise of AI-powered automation in cyber warfare requires firms to maintain tighter control over their third-party vendor ecosystems. Readers should monitor regional compliance updates as board-level governance shifts to address these systemic supply chain vulnerabilities.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving threat landscape, see our latest coverage in Cybersecurity.
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Do you trust that businesses are doing enough to protect your personal data from AI cyberattacks?
