Cybersecurity Experts Warn: Data Leaks are a "Battle for Digital Identity" and Not Just a Breach
In light of the rapid digital transformation, individual account hacking crimes are no longer the biggest concern; instead, a new threat has emerged in the form of leaked data being traded as a valuable commodity in the dark web markets, threatening the digital security of individuals and institutions alike.
Dr. Mohamed Mohsen Ramadan, head of the Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Unit at the Arab Center for Research and Studies, described this phenomenon as an existential threat to digital identity, emphasizing that "every piece of information, no matter how trivial, can be turned into money, extortion, identity theft, or even long-term cyber targeting."
According to Dr. Ramadan in statements to the media, data leaks involve various types of sensitive information such as personal, financial, and medical details, which are often obtained by exploiting vulnerabilities in security systems or through electronic deception. He added that this data "begins its journey in the dark web, where the largest global data trading markets exist, and is sold in secret auctions and shared within closed 'hacker' groups."
For his part, Major General Abubakr Abdel Karim, former Assistant Minister of Interior for Relations and Media, revealed that leaked data has become tools for executing a range of serious crimes, most notably cyber extortion, identity theft, and advanced financial fraud.
The Major General explained in similar statements that the possession of accurate information about victims makes scammers' attacks "more convincing" and enables them to carry out complex fraudulent operations to steal money, especially if they manage to access temporary verification codes or answers to security questions.
The security expert also pointed out that there are digital tools available to help users monitor their data exposure to leaks, such as the famous site "Have I Been Pwned," and some features included in internet browsers and specialized security programs that send immediate alerts when any breach is detected.
Major General Abdel Karim concluded his remarks by providing essential preventive guidelines, urging the adoption of strong and unique passwords for each account, activating two-factor authentication, and regularly reviewing app permissions on smart devices. He concluded that "data leaks are no longer a mere incident but a battle for your digital identity," emphasizing that data protection in the age of artificial intelligence has become "an individual national security necessity."
