Digital14 Report: Smart Cities Unlock Business Potential but Are Increasingly Vulnerable

Proliferation of smart and connected devices offer opportunities for cybercriminals

ABU DHABI, UAE, May 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Smart cities are expected to boost lucrative business opportunities for the UAE and the region. However, the Internet of Things (IoT), the technology underpinning these complex and interconnected urban networks, offers a considerably expanded attack surface for cyber adversaries of all kinds, according to a report launched today by Digital14, a UAE-based trusted advisor in digital transformation and cyber resilience. The report, Smart Cities: the Power, the Risks, the Response, also suggests cyberattacks are expected to rise, as the government and organisations adopt the benefits of smart city technologies.

"Smart cities will undoubtedly unlock enormous efficiency and productivity gains for the UAE and other nations," said Joshua Knight, Executive Vice President Cyber Defence at Digital14. "However, the highly networked environment that UAE companies operate within offers opportunities to release prolific malware that can have catastrophic ramifications, or stimulate lucrative criminal enterprises. By their very nature, smart cities simply broaden the attack surface available to malicious actors."

There are an estimated 22 billion networked devices worldwide. The interconnected nature of smart cities means that by 2025, that number is forecast to rise to 38.6 billion^[1]. Each of these devices serves as an entry point for malicious actors, with everyday gadgets such as IP cameras and digital video recorders (DVRs) likely to be at the greatest risk. In fact, more than 25% of attacks against enterprises this year will involve IoT devices^[2]. The GCC is increasingly prone to IoT attacks, with 18.45% of public-facing hosts in the UAE alone potentially vulnerable to such attacks, according to the report.

"IoT devices are the weak link in the smart city chain," continues Knight. "It is imperative that organisations and individual end users recognise this potential vulnerability and take prudent steps to secure their networks and protect themselves from cyberattacks."

Key highlights

• The UAE is hit by an average of 304 attacks per day, the highest in the GCC
• Over 42,500 IP cameras are potentially vulnerable to cyberattacks in the GCC
• Nearly 8,000 digital video recorders (DVRs) in the region are openly exposed to an outside network
• 18.45% of public-facing hosts in the UAE alone potentially vulnerable to attacks

Case study: Expo 2020 Dubai

A particular focus of the report is Expo Dubai 2020, which demonstrates the potential of smart city technology for future smart cities around the world. As one of the most interconnected and technologically advanced World Expos ever held, Expo 2020 will replicate similar logistical and cyber security challenges to those of a smart city, but within a compressed timeframe. As Expo 2020's Official Cyber Security Provider, Digital14 will oversee the cybersecurity of the event's digital platform and safeguard the digital experience of its visitors and participants.

"As with any global mega event, cybersecurity is critical to deliver a safe, secure and successful Expo 2020 – the first ever World Expo staged in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia," said Eman Al Awadhi, Vice President, Cyber Security & Resilience, Innovation and Future Technologies, Expo 2020 Dubai. "Digital14 is committed to ensuring Expo 2020 is protected through a combination of innovative cybersecurity solutions, ground-breaking initiatives and ongoing services that secure new technologies and support cross-partner flexibility and functionality with a robust Security Operations Centre. With millions of visitors expected throughout Expo 2020's six-month run, Digital14 will also seek to balance local and international best practice and regulations in data privacy and to enable compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – ensuring the safety and privacy of Expo visitors' data."

Recommendations for UAE organisations

With the UAE embracing smart city technologies and taking a leadership role in this field, it is no surprise that the country takes the regional top spot in the Global Connectivity Index^[3]. Expecting the growth of this sector to continue, the report proposes six actionable takeaways for organisations to defend themselves against new and evolving threats, including validating IoT devices before deployment, continuously monitoring all devices on the IoT network, and isolating IoT devices away from crucial and sensitive networks.

With the vast opportunities that smart cities bring, both in terms of improved business productivity and consumer experience, operators and device owners must be conscious of the potential vulnerabilities within their networks. Only by safeguarding their networks, can smart cities truly realise their promised potential.

Click here to read the full report.

^1. https://www.strategyanalytics.com/access-services/devices/connected-home/consumerelectronics/reports/reportdetail/global-connected-and-iot-device-forecast-update 
^2. https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2016-04-25-gartner-says-worldwide-iot-security-spending-to-reach-348-million-in-2016 
^3. https://www.huawei.com/minisite/gci/en/country-profile-ae.html

About Digital14

Delivering trust in a world where cyber risks are a constant threat, Digital14 guides clients on their journeys to reach unprecedented heights and navigate what lies ahead in tomorrow's digital frontier. Digital14, established in 2019, is part of ADQ, one of the region's largest holding companies with a diverse portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi's non-oil economy. Based in the regional and global innovation hub of Abu Dhabi, this provides the ideal platform for Digital14 to accelerate digital advancement and cyber resilience solutions via robust, end-to-end solutions. Whether it is enjoying the freedoms of a protected internet, secure transactions or safe communications – we Protect, Transform, and Nurture today so that everyone can flourish with the freedom to achieve their potential, tomorrow. For more information, visit digital14.com.

About Expo 2020 Dubai

Expo 2020 Dubai will bring together millions of people to celebrate human brilliance and achievement under the theme "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future."

• The six months of Expo will be a moment in time to be part of an unparalleled event and we are extending a warm Emirati welcome to the world
• An entertaining global celebration with something for everyone, Expo 2020 will wow visitors with daily events, showcasing the best of music, technology, creativity and culture, while F&B outlets will feature famous chefs and cuisine from every corner of the world
• Expo 2020 will be an endless journey of discovery. Visitors will have access to the latest innovations and breakthroughs, with participants – including nations, multilateral organisations, businesses and educational institutions – coming together to highlight real-life solutions to the world's most pressing challenges
• Expo 2020's sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability will inspire visitors to make a conscious effort to think and live differently, and give them renewed optimism that, through collaboration, it is possible to make a lasting change to the world
• The first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) will be located on a 4.38 sq km site adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South