Stock photograph of Gems pupils boarding school buses in Dubai. Sarah Dea / The National
Stock photograph of Gems pupils boarding school buses in Dubai. Sarah Dea / The National
Stock photograph of Gems pupils boarding school buses in Dubai. Sarah Dea / The National
Stock photograph of Gems pupils boarding school buses in Dubai. Sarah Dea / The National

Dubai-based Gems Education hit by cyber attack


Alkesh Sharma
  • English
  • Arabic

Gems Education, the largest education operator in the UAE, faced a cyber attack that had a minimal impact on the group’s operations, the company said on Thursday.

The company said an investigation was under way. It has not yet confirmed whether any personal or financial data has been breached.

“We became aware of a recent cyber security incident, at which time we immediately enacted our cyber security response plan. Thanks to our robust business continuity plans, impact to our operations has been minimal,” Dino Varkey, group chief executive of Gems Education, said in an email sent to parents.

“It may be some time before we can determine the full extent of the incident,” Mr Varkey said.

Started in 1959, Gems Education has more than 40 schools in the UAE, as well as schools in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Europe, Africa, India, South-East Asia and North America.

Gems said it does not store the bank account details or credit card information of the families or guardians of its pupils. But it said some personal data could have been compromised.

That includes identification documents, financial information, such as payment history, and data related to creditworthiness, health or medical records, and log-in details, such as usernames and passwords.

The group has engaged third-party expertise and legal counsel to assist in its investigation.

“We have also notified the relevant authorities, including our education and data protection regulators and law enforcement. We are closely working with them and they continue to support us,” Mr Varkey said.

  • Students refilling their bottles from the water fountain at the Gems Legacy School in Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Students refilling their bottles from the water fountain at the Gems Legacy School in Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Gems Legacy School has 16 water stations in place and is to install another 12 this year.
    Gems Legacy School has 16 water stations in place and is to install another 12 this year.
  • The school's first water fountains were introduced in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and it has now installed contactless water dispensers.
    The school's first water fountains were introduced in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and it has now installed contactless water dispensers.
  • The water bottle project comes after Dubai's move to place a levy on single-use plastic bags.
    The water bottle project comes after Dubai's move to place a levy on single-use plastic bags.
  • Asha Alexander, Gems Legacy School principal, with a pupil who is refilling her bottle from a water fountain at the campus.
    Asha Alexander, Gems Legacy School principal, with a pupil who is refilling her bottle from a water fountain at the campus.
  • The principal said the school would also no longer accept any single-use plastic packaging or bags, as part of its environmental message to pupils.
    The principal said the school would also no longer accept any single-use plastic packaging or bags, as part of its environmental message to pupils.
  • Pupils at the school collect discarded plastic bottles from their homes and neighbourhoods for a project called 'Simply Bottles'.
    Pupils at the school collect discarded plastic bottles from their homes and neighbourhoods for a project called 'Simply Bottles'.
  • Under this scheme, plastic bottles are collected, recycled and made into yarn that is used to make clothes.
    Under this scheme, plastic bottles are collected, recycled and made into yarn that is used to make clothes.
  • Children are also going to restaurants near the school asking owners not to supply food in plastic bags.
    Children are also going to restaurants near the school asking owners not to supply food in plastic bags.
  • Pupils are also being encouraged to pack lunch in reusable boxes as part of continuing environmental education at schools in the emirate.
    Pupils are also being encouraged to pack lunch in reusable boxes as part of continuing environmental education at schools in the emirate.

Cyber attacks have risen sharply in recent months, with a recent World Economic Forum report calling 2021 an “unprecedented year for cyber crime in terms of volume and severity”.

The cost of breaches amounted to an average of $3.6 million per incident for businesses alone, as companies rapidly digitised to ensure business continuity during the pandemic.

Overall, cyber criminal activities were projected to inflict damage worth about $6 trillion globally in 2021, a study by research company Cybersecurity Ventures found.

Message to parents

Gems has suggested a few guidelines and precautionary steps for parents to follow:

  • Be suspicious if anyone contacts you by email, phone call or text message asking you to confirm your personal data or financial details;
  • Change all your and your child’s passwords, including those for Gems accounts. Always use strong passwords and enable two-step authentication on all your online services;
  • Check bank accounts regularly and contact the bank if you see any transactions that you do not recognise.
The%20specs
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Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.

Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.

The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.

The biog

Prefers vegetables and fish to meat and would choose salad over pizza

Walks daily as part of regular exercise routine 

France is her favourite country to visit

Has written books and manuals on women’s education, first aid and health for the family

Family: Husband, three sons and a daughter

Fathiya Nadhari's instructions to her children was to give back to the country

The children worked as young volunteers in social, education and health campaigns

Her motto is to never stop working for the country

'Panga'

Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta

Rating: 3.5/5

The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo

Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

Results

Catchweight 60kg: Mohammed Al Katheeri (UAE) beat Mostafa El Hamy (EGY) TKO round 3

Light Heavyweight: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) no contest Kevin Oumar (COM) Unintentional knee by Oumer

Catchweight 73kg:  Yazid Chouchane (ALG) beat Ahmad Al Boussairy (KUW) Unanimous decision

Featherweight: Faris Khaleel Asha (JOR) beat Yousef Al Housani (UAE) TKO in round 2 through foot injury

Welterweight: Omar Hussein (JOR) beat Yassin Najid (MAR); Split decision

Middleweight: Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) beat Sallah Eddine Dekhissi (MAR); Round-1 TKO

Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammed Ali Musalim (UAE) beat Medhat Hussein (EGY); Triangle choke submission

Welterweight: Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) beat Sofiane Oudina (ALG); Triangle choke Round-1

Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Saleem Al Bakri (JOR); Unanimous decision

Bantamweight: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Nawras Abzakh (JOR); TKO round-2

Catchweight 63kg: Rany Saadeh (PAL) beat Abdel Ali Hariri (MAR); Unanimous decision

Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company

The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.

He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.

“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.

“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.

HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon. 

With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.

MATCH INFO

Manchester City 0

Wolves 2 (Traore 80', 90 4')

Third Test

Day 3, stumps

India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151

India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining

SPEC%20SHEET
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The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press

Updated: February 25, 2022, 5:49 AM