Today's Edition
Dr Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti*
As the blessed month of Ramadan approaches, many individuals turn to charitable giving through various channels and methods. Charitable donations increase in a commendable way, reflecting one of the most important manifestations of social and community solidarity. However, in an era of rapid technological advancement and escalating cyber threats, these donations can become a double-edged sword.
If well-intentioned donors do not adhere to sound cybersecurity and digital safety practices, charitable transfers may turn into a gateway for hacking accounts and compromising financial and personal data; unless everyone is diligent in verifying and using secure payment methods for donations and charitable activities.
It is, therefore, essential for every individual to ensure the security of payment methods before completing any financial transaction through electronic means, whether via websites or mobile financial applications. This helps guarantee that donations are made properly and safely, without security risks, and prevents this noble expression of social cohesion from becoming a real threat to individuals and families alike.
Unsecured electronic payment methods, particularly in light of the significant digital developments we are witnessing today, are associated with numerous threats and risks. Among the most prominent cyber risks linked to insecure payment channels are their potential use in fraudulent attacks, data breaches involving personal and sensitive information and credit card fraud. In addition, such methods may be tied to unsafe payment systems operated by unknown or unverified service providers, and may also enable some entities to evade compliance with approved standards and regulatory frameworks.
To avoid these risks, which threaten not only individuals but also the security and stability of society and economic institutions, it is vital that every citizen and individual recognises the critical importance of protecting financial information in today’s digital age. The risks of fraud and identity theft are continuously increasing, particularly with the widespread use of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence, which have made identity theft, online fraud, ransomware attacks and unauthorised access to banking accounts and financial data easier and more sophisticated.
To ensure that donations reach their rightful beneficiaries and to avoid potential risks, individuals are advised to exercise caution when conducting any financial transactions online and to adhere to proper cybersecurity practices. These include verifying the use of secure technologies during electronic donation processes, as well as employing various protection measures for devices, accounts and communications.
Among the most important of these measures is encryption technology, which converts sensitive and critical data into unreadable codes. Equally important is enabling two-factor authentication for accounts and sensitive data, as this mechanism confirms digital identity through multiple steps, thereby preventing and significantly reducing fraudulent activities.
These measures should not be limited to charitable donations alone; rather, they must extend to all forms of online interaction, especially financial transactions. Such practices should become permanent behaviours that ensure the protection of individuals and institutions from cyber risks, which are intensifying rapidly alongside ongoing technological advancements. Negligence or failure to adhere to proper digital practices can result in significant financial losses and serious negative consequences for victims, both individuals and organisations.
Today, the digital space touches every one of us, as most of our daily transactions take place through websites or applications that store financial and personal data. Therefore, the fastest and most effective way to confront these challenges lies in adopting correct digital behaviours that align with secure, modern digital infrastructures, provided by the United Arab Emirates, together forming a strong protective barrier that safeguards individuals and institutions against present and future cyber threats.
* Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government
