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Dubai Police has organised the Cyber Guardian challenge to test the public’s ability to detect hidden cyber threats in a fun and engaging format. The initiative detailed by Emirates 24|7 on October 16 2026 transforms the eCrime Hub website into a two-day game zone starting from Friday evening and continuing through Sunday. Successful participants who locate all 10 concealed threats will be recognised as Cyber Guardians and have the opportunity to win prizes. The challenge aims to enhance cybersecurity knowledge during the designated awareness month.
The eCrime awareness platform has seen substantial engagement since its introduction. The E-Crimes and Cybersecurity Department at Dubai Police reported that it attracted 1 429 154 visitors in its first year following the July 2025 launch. It delivers content tailored to different audience segments including children parents and business owners. The materials address fundamental cybersecurity practices such as creating strong passwords avoiding suspicious links and backing up data.
Various types of cyber threats are covered in the platform’s resources. These include phone fraud SMS scams voice call impersonation QR code risks and deepfake technology according to the department. Users learn methods to identify malware ransomware and social engineering tactics that could lead to identity theft. The platform also explains procedures for reporting cybercrimes through official channels.
Recent research from Dubai Police has highlighted evolving challenges in the digital landscape. A study prepared by the Future Foresight Centre found that advancing deepfake capabilities are making it harder to verify the authenticity of digital content. Hamdan Al Ghassiya director of the centre emphasised the broader implications for public safety and information credibility. The findings were released in conjunction with Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Cyber attack volumes have risen significantly across the region. Check Point Research data places the average number of weekly attacks on UAE organisations at 2 521 in September 2026 reflecting a 47 percent year-on-year increase. Globally the figure stood at 2 803 attacks per organisation per week up 48 percent from the prior year. The education sector faced the highest volume of incidents as the academic year commenced.
The UAE continues to experience a high volume of cyber activity overall. The UAE Cyber Security Council has indicated that more than 800 000 cyberattacks occur daily in the country. Such statistics have prompted multiple awareness campaigns by authorities to strengthen public defences. The Cyber Guardian challenge represents one element of the Ministry of Interior’s ‘Safe UAE Through Your Digital Awareness’ initiative.
Earlier in the month Dubai Police operated an interactive educational platform at Dubai Mall until October 10 to further promote safe digital behaviour. That setup incorporated games and artificial intelligence tools to illustrate cyber risks and prevention strategies. Visitors were also introduced to the official eCrime reporting system for submitting complaints about online crimes. These combined efforts seek to equip residents with the knowledge needed to navigate an increasingly complex digital environment.
