By: Dr Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti*

In an era marked by escalating digital threats and increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks, users’ personal and financial data have become the “digital gold” sought after by hacking groups and online fraud networks. As our reliance on technology continues to expand across all aspects of life, cloud storage has emerged not merely as a tool for convenience and accessibility, but as a protective shield safeguarding our digital assets from loss or theft.

In this context, raising public awareness about best practices to counter these risks is paramount, particularly as secure cloud storage represents the first line of defence against fraudsters and a critical safeguard for privacy.

Simply uploading your data to the cloud is not enough; users must fully understand how to secure this virtual space. Several critical mistakes can transform a digital fortress into an exposed vulnerability. Foremost among these is granting excessive identity and access management permissions, where users provide applications or individuals with broad access rights without genuine necessity — making it easier for attackers to infiltrate systems.

Equally concerning is the failure to enable multi-factor authentication, which effectively leaves the door wide open to intruders — especially if they succeed in guessing or compromising a password. Another serious error is the overreliance on untrusted public cloud storage, which may expose sensitive data or serve as fertile ground for malware distribution.

The absence of encryption, both for data at rest and in transit, poses an equally significant risk, as does downloading applications from unverified sources without assessing their security standards. Collectively, these mistakes leave users vulnerable to substantial losses that threaten both their digital and financial security.

However, practical and proactive measures can transform these vulnerabilities into strengths. Chief among them is the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when connecting to public or open Wi-Fi networks, which are often insecure and prone to exploitation.

A VPN encrypts internet traffic and masks the user’s IP address, making it extremely difficult for cybercriminals to intercept sensitive data.

In addition, encrypting personal and financial data before uploading it to the cloud is essential. This ensures that even if attackers gain access to an account, they will encounter encrypted files that are virtually impossible to decipher. Enabling two-factor authentication is no longer optional; it is a necessity, adding an extra layer of defence that prevents unauthorised access even if a password is compromised.

Finally, users should adopt strong, complex passwords that updated regularly, while conducting periodic reviews of all security settings and application permissions on their mobile phones and personal devices.

Recent statistics underscore the serious consequences of neglecting cloud security. Studies indicate that approximately 70% of cloud breaches result from misconfigurations, meaning that the vast majority of incidents could be prevented through basic security measures. In a positive sign of growing awareness, experts anticipate that 60% of organisations will strengthen their cloud security configurations by 2026 in an effort to fortify their infrastructure.

These figures demonstrate that lax cloud security does not merely lead to data theft; it can result in severe privacy violations, surveillance of user activity, and unauthorised access to bank accounts. Untrusted cloud services remain a primary source of malware distribution worldwide. Some malicious applications operate silently in the background without users’ knowledge, collecting sensitive data and transmitting it to unknown entities, potentially causing significant financial damage.

Strengthening cyber security is, therefore, no longer solely the responsibility of governments and corporations; it is a shared obligation that extends to every individual. Users must rely on reputable cloud service providers known for robust security standards, consistently review security settings and permissions, and never neglect encryption measures.

Ultimately, the rapid escalation of digital threats demands heightened security awareness and a clear understanding of the risks facing smart devices, particularly as smartphones become increasingly central to daily transactions.

Adhering to preventive best practices and downloading only trusted applications are essential steps toward safeguarding privacy and protecting data in an age of accelerating cyber attacks.


*Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government