The best way to stay a step ahead of crime is to dive deep into the mind of criminals and decode their modus operandi, for designing effective preemptive action. In case of cybercrime, understanding the loopholes in a digital security mechanism, provides a better idea about the strength of an infrastructure against hackers.

The Middle East may have weathered out an outbreak last year, but the digital ecosystem created at a quick pace during the lockdown, is now plagued by a cyber pandemic. To stop cybercrooks in their tracks, UAE's cybersecurity council is calling in global researchers in the field to test the efficiency of its cyber-defence measures.

As part of a Bug Bounty programme, the authorities are offering financial rewards for experts who can spot cracks in the digital infrastructure, which can be exploited by cybercriminals. The initiative involves screening of websites, apps and systems, to see if they are vulnerable to online attacks, before designing the required upgrades.

Since cybercrooks constantly change their methods to break into systems or trick users and organisations, the monitoring has to be done on a continuos basis. Researcher will use their knowhow of the current scenario, along with tactics adopted by hackers themselves, to anticipate moves aimed at slipping through the cybersecurity fence.

The services generated through the cybersecurity council's initiative, will be rolled out for public as well as private entities. Once international experts are brought on board, emerging local talent will also be roped in, so that they can sharpen their skills to participate in upcoming bug bounty programmes.

Over the past few months, innovative services including AI that can predict cyberattacks and flag possible scams by going through online activity of employees, have been launched in the Middle East. In a similar effort to test cyber-security tools, a firm even introduced a virtual fire-drill, where a breach is simulated to spot chinks in the armour.