The Iranian President’ New Policy
July 18, 2024
Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2024
July 29, 2024
Abstract
The digital transformation of the modern era is meteoric and fleeting, leaving governments and institutions on the forefront of dealing with unprecedented regulatory and organizational challenges. It has given rise to new regulatory fields which are still under constant revision and progress; one of which is Cybersecurity. This article focuses on the rising need of robust cybersecurity infrastructure in the MENA region and the policies and strategies adopted by leading countries of the digital transformation as well as the future directions and scope for developments in the field. The article discusses the sophisticated cybersecurity infrastructure in place in UAE and Saudi Arabia and the need for regional collaboration between the countries in MENA region for the purpose of creating a safe and protected cyberspace that is well-connected through mutual sharing of research and infrastructure.
Rising Importance of Cybersecurity in the MENA region
With the new technological advancements opening unseen horizons for digital development in MENA countries, the need for strengthening the technological infrastructure against damaging incursions from outside factors becomes crucial. Increasing use of technology in government and national institutions makes cyber-attacks a potential national destabilizing element. The protection of sensitive data, preventing financial loss, protection of national infrastructure, and preventing cyber espionage are key factors that accentuate the importance of a reliable cyber-security infrastructure. The importance of strengthening protection against cyber-attacks can also be emphasized from observing the rise of CTI (Cyber Threat Intelligence) which is the process of collecting and analyzing data regarding cyber threats and developing expertise in detecting, preventing and responding to cyber-attacks. According to the data, the CTI market in the Middle East is set to cross a whopping $31 Billion by 2030 (McAteer, 2023). Hence, cybersecurity is an issue of increasing prevalence in the coming years as the need for data protection and the contest for technological dominance burgeons.
Relevant Cyber Risks faced by countries in MENA region
There are many reasons for which a robust cyber-security infrastructure is especially relevant in the MENA region. Countries in the MENA region are a prime target of cyber-attacks due to the increasing digitization in the lucrative oil and gas industries. The financial loots from the cyber-attacks in the area are enormous as the average cost per data breach in the region is among the highest worldwide, standing second only to the USA. The rapid speed of digitization in the industrial infrastructure makes it highly susceptible to financially motivated cyber-attacks. Moreover, the threat of cyber-attacks from state sponsored actors from rival states within the region is also a cause for concern since many countries use them to destabilize non-allies. The most relevant form of attacks in this context are from ATPs (Advanced Persistent Threat) which are cyber-attack groups sponsored by states to gain access into the cyberspace of targeted government agencies and remain undetected for long periods of time. In this time, the core activities and the sensitive databases of the governmental agencies remain under threat from these ATPs. Most countries in the MENA region have, hence, developed robust cybersecurity practices that lay out a comprehensive framework in the interest of national security and stability against cyber-attacks.
UAE’s Cybersecurity Policies and Initiatives
UAE has successfully positioned itself as one of the leaders in developing a comprehensive, up-to-date cyber security infrastructure for the protection of its booming IT industry and digital transformation. UAE was ranked fifth for a robust cybersecurity infrastructure according to the global cybersecurity index 2020 (International Telecommunication Union, 2020). It has a well-designed and well-structured cybersecurity framework in place with the help of the Information Assurance Framework. It has a National Cybersecurity Council (NCSC), which was established in 2020, responsible for coordinating UAE’s policies and actions towards protection against cyber threats. A Cybersecurity Strategy, launched in 2019, factors the mission of creating a safe digital environment into five key goals that revolve around the development of national capabilities and protection of information infrastructure. With the all-encompassing strategies and policies like these in place, UAE’s cyberspace remains an ideal form of haven for institutions and businesses working in the MENA region.
Saudi Arabia’s Advanced Cybersecurity Measures
Saudi Arabia’s cyber security measures are another example of successful governmental initiatives and policies aimed towards building a strong cyber security infrastructure. The Saudi Arabian Monetary authority (SAMA) has established the SAMA Cyber security framework which lays down the guidelines for financial institutions in Saudi Arabia to help mitigate cyber security risks. The framework is designed to ensure consumer confidence in the safety and security of Saudia’s financial sector as it imposes implementation of training of employees in the interest of protecting consumer data as well as measures directed towards protection of the institution’s information assets. Saudi Arabia has also established the National Cybersecurity Authority in 2017 which coordinates efforts across public and private sectors to reinforce the national cybersecurity infrastructure. The Saudi Arabian government has also passed the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) in 2021, which ensures strict compliance to the regulations imposed on processing of personal data by public and private entities by granting rights to the data subjects and ensuring enhanced data security. Given the extensive, in-depth policies and initiatives undertaken by the Saudi government concerning cybersecurity, it has been ranked as the second best in global cybersecurity rankings, second only to the USA (International Telecommunication Union, 2020).
The Predicted Future Trends in Cybersecurity in MENA
Future trends of cybersecurity measures in the MENA region signal towards significant developments in the core infrastructure brought about by AI technologies as well as increasing amount of strict regulation and scrutiny at national levels. The dawn of generative AI can be considered a double-edged sword in the context of cybersecurity as it opens new realms of stricter regulation through advanced threat detection and predictive analysis of threats and weaknesses of the digital systems while also increasing the sophistication of attacks through deepfakes and robust malware. The development of regulatory frameworks in the coming years in MENA region signal towards stringent data protection laws in place with businesses and other entities under strict scrutiny and high cybersecurity standards. Drawing on earlier trends, the cybersecurity practises would also likely adopt a Zero Trust Architecture, which works on the principle of “trust no one, verify everything” (Durand, 2023). This new model of cyberspace security focuses on continuous verification for all internal and external elements of a system to make sure that the system is well-secured and dividing the network into smaller networks to contain cyber-attacks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the current cybersecurity landscape in MENA region is structured around a high alert situation with data breaches, ransomware attacks, and state-sponsored cyber espionage being the key threats to the region’s digital infrastructure. The AI-driven transformation means increasing sophistication in the cyber-attacks targeted towards government and industrial organizations, as well as potential for strengthening the defence mechanisms. Countries in the MENA region need to focus on larger investments into research and development of critical cyberspace infrastructure given the high stakes in the area. Regional collaboration should also be undertaken due to the interconnected nature of digital systems and a single weak link compromising the security of the interconnected online systems such as in the case of financial institutions. Leading countries such as UAE and Saudi Arabia should be the distributors of core infrastructure and research into surrounding countries in order to build an unbreakable cyberspace in the region.
References:
- International Telecommunication Union. (2020). Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2020. International Telecommunication Union. https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Cybersecurity/Pages/global-cybersecurity-index.aspx
- Durand, J. (2023, September 14). Zero trust architecture: The unapologetic approach to cybersecurity in a digital jungle. Forbes Technology Council. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/09/14/zero-trust-architecture-the-unapologetic-approach-to-cybersecurity-in-a-digital-jungle/
- McAteer, P. (2023, November). Rising cyber threats in the Middle East – A virtual battleground. Security HQ. https://www.securityhq.com/blog/rising-cyber-threats-in-the-middle-east-a-virtual-battleground/
Disclaimer. The views and opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MEPEI. Any content provided by our author is of her opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.
