UAE Banks Lead Global Shift in Digital Banking Security with AI and Big Data

The UAE banking sector has positioned itself at the forefront of global digital banking security, setting new benchmarks in innovation and resilience. Alongside the expansion of digital channels, banks in the country are investing significantly in advanced data platforms, artificial intelligence (AI), and analytics to deliver personalized services, bolster fraud detection, and enhance customer experience.

Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), cybersecurity experts highlighted that the sector is undergoing a deep transformation in both digital innovation and security, powered by world-class infrastructure and forward-looking regulation. By combining cutting-edge technologies with stronger protection measures, banks in the UAE are effectively countering the rise of cyber threats.

Richard Cassidy, Chief Information Security Officer for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Rubrik, noted that the UAE banking industry has entered a new era of digital transformation, marked by heightened emphasis on cyber defense amid global security challenges and evolving compliance requirements. He stressed that AI and big data are now central to these strategies, with banks deploying AI-driven tools capable of monitoring anomalies in real time and analyzing large volumes of data to spot suspicious patterns. Enhanced authentication measures—such as biometric verification and app-based logins—are also playing a key role in safeguarding customers.

Cassidy added that AI adoption presents banks with a dual opportunity: strengthening fraud detection and enabling systems to learn continuously from past incidents, thereby becoming smarter and more adaptive over time. He also commended UAE banks for their resilience, attributing it to collaboration among stakeholders, proactive customer awareness campaigns, and robust contingency planning.

Zeid Shubailat, Director at Infobip, echoed this perspective, noting a major shift in the security posture of UAE banks. According to him, institutions have moved away from traditional protection models toward intelligence-driven systems powered by advanced analytics. He explained that the rapid growth of online and mobile-first banking services has heightened exposure to threats, compelling banks to adopt real-time fraud detection systems and secure multi-channel communication tools that instantly alert customers to unusual activity.

Shubailat emphasized that AI and big data are now indispensable pillars of fraud prevention. By evaluating device identities, login behavior, and transaction patterns, AI can flag anomalies within milliseconds, while big data analytics helps expose wider fraud networks and fake accounts. Some banks are also deploying AI-powered digital assistants that resolve common fraud cases at scale while escalating complex issues to specialized teams.

He further underlined the importance of regulatory frameworks, which have accelerated the shift from outdated authentication methods such as SMS or email codes to more advanced solutions like biometric and app-based authentication. Looking ahead, he predicted the rise of behavioral biometrics, integrated alert systems across channels, and interactive fraud-prevention experiences designed to take customers smoothly from alert to action.

Supporting this industry-wide effort is the UAE Banks Federation’s “Tasharuk” initiative, a cyber threat intelligence-sharing platform launched in 2017. Through Tasharuk, banks collaborate by sharing details of cyberattacks and investigation findings, strengthening their collective ability to preempt and neutralize malicious threats.