UAE Cyber Council Warns Public File Sharing is Exposing Sensitive Data
The UAE Cyber Security Council says one in four publicly accessible files contains sensitive personal data, underscoring the growing risks around careless file sharing, weak access controls, and poor cloud security practices
The UAE Cyber Security Council has warned that around 25% of publicly accessible files contain sensitive personal data. The warning was issued as part of the Council’s weekly message as part of its “Cyber Pulse” awareness campaign, which aims to improve digital safety and reduce exposure to cyber threats.
The Council also said that between 68% and 77% of privately shared files may still be accessible to unintended users, highlighting a major gap between how people believe they are sharing information and how exposed those files may actually be. That makes file permissions, encryption, and account security increasingly important for both individuals and organizations operating in highly digital environments such as the UAE.
Among the key recommendations, the Council urged users to apply encryption, use strong and regularly updated passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and avoid public links for sensitive documents. It also advised users to review privacy settings, delete unused files and links, secure Wi_Fi network, update software and devices, and use VPNs when connecting through public networks.
The message is especially relevant as the Gulf continues to push digital transformation across government, business, and consumer services. The Council stressed that cloud storage alone does not provide automatic protection and said stronger cyber awareness at the individual level remains essential to building a safer digital environment in line with the UAE’s broader digital ambitions.
