Recent advances in the development of technologies and the tendency towards the digitalization of the modern world increased the value of information and the role it plays in the international discourse and security systems nowadays. The innovative methods of data collection and sharing, combined with the rise of media and social platforms, cultivated a new framework characterized by new opportunities to align the enhanced monitoring, detection, and protection tools and new threats coming from the use of secret or protected information by third parties. For the UAE, which plans to participate in international cooperation, it is vital to focus on developing new means of working with information as an instrument of national power and use it to achieve current goals.
The UAE National security strategy would benefit from placing information in its heart because of several critical advantages guaranteed by it. First of all, the evolution of technologies increases the importance of relevant and up-to-date data, becoming an extremely valuable resource regarding the global discourse. Currently, the UAE wastes countless opportunities to effectively exploit the capacity of information instruments as little attention is devoted to supporting this sphere. However, the fully integrated and aligned information system can provide multiple benefits such as the reduced risk of attacks or threats, better response to emergencies, better communication with partners, enhanced strategic planning, and real-time data vital for making decisions and forecasting (Kim and Solomon 2016). Under these conditions, it is critical to focus on developing this aspect as the part of the UAE National security strategy.
The shift to the extensive use of information and developing specific tools presupposes several steps. First, it is vital to ensure additional financial support to agencies developing and monitoring the work of Emirati media and this sector, as it will ensure the emergence of an updated precautionary and preventive measures (W6nnews 2021). Second, integrating information tools in security systems can be achieved by aligning cooperation between authorities using secured networks and media. It will contribute to better data exchange and the ability to consider all existing trends and respond to them. Finally, the development of media and information tools should be viewed as one of the national goals vital for the future of the UAE and its role in global interaction.
Cultivation of national information tools and media will also help to achieve the current objectives of the UAE. At the moment, these include improving internal security, strengthening the armed forces, improving the economy and defense industries, and supporting vital sectors in their evolution (United Arab Emirates. The Cabinet n.d.). Information technologies provide a chance to strengthen existing security systems by providing them with relevant information about potential attackers, criminals, or suspicious individuals, which results in better internal security (Kim and Solomon 2016). Moreover, armed forces and the defense industry can benefit from better information and media tools as it contributes to improved planning and responding to new threats (Ibish 2017). Finally, emergency situations can be resolved by using methods created with the help of data generated due to better information systems (Ibish 2017). In such a way, the selected instrument of national power becomes a potent measure to promote national goals’ achievement and create the basis for the UAE’s future growth.
The development of information instruments is impossible without the appropriate environment. Nowadays, the domestic and international frameworks can be considered beneficial for focusing on this aspect and its cultivation. Globally, multiple networks and data collecting, monitoring, and exchange tools help agencies to remain informed about current threats or recent events (Kim and Solomon 2016). As for the UAE, it is a highly digitalized country with a substantial pace of technologies’ integration and use. It means that there are numerous options for upgrading the level and performance of the national media and using them as tools for enhancing existing security systems (U.AE 2021). Moreover, the high level of income and the growing economy also serve as favorable factors.
However, the development of this instrument of power can be associated with some challenges and threats. First of all, effective and evolving information systems, media, and tools demand solid investment, which might be complicated if oil demand declines and oil prices decrease (U.AE 2021). Another problem comes from the privacy issues traditionally associated with Big Data. Improved collection methods and better surveillance might result in the growth of people’s dissatisfaction because of the lack of anonymity and confidentiality (U.AE 2021). This factor should be considered a barrier to improving the selected tool, meaning that it is vital to find a balance between using private data and considering current security concerns critical in protecting the nation from possible threats.
The focus on information presupposes several priorities that should be considered. First of all, it is critical to develop an integrated media strategy aligning the coordination of all efforts and improving its ability to follow the achievements of the UAE (W6nnews 2021). This strategy will help to outline long and short-term goals and guarantee the absence of misunderstandings or problems with financing. The second priority involves aligning better data sharing between armed forces, defense agencies, and security systems to improve their ability to respond to new threats and ensure they possess up-to-date knowledge of all risks and mitigate them (Ibish 2017). Following these goals, it is possible to create the basis for the further evolution of the UAE and its functioning at the international level.
The success of developing an information instrument and its integration can be measured following several recommendations. First, a detailed plan should be created regarding the UAE’s National Security Strategy 2026 and its support by the chosen tool. The detailed explanations of how every point benefits from better media systems will help to trace changes (Pearlson, Saunders and Galleta 2019). Second, the contribution to promoting positive change can be measured by comparing media progress before and after implementing the proposed plan. Finally, the instrument should be designed to meet the current security systems’ demands to guarantee its relevance, feasibility, applicability, and practical utility (Pearlson, Saunders and Galleta 2019). It will help to attain current goals and avoid failure or overspending.
Altogether, the UAE’s National Security Strategy influences the choice of instruments to ensure the achievement of current objectives. From a data and technology standpoint, information tools are at the core and essential to achieving all interests and purposes. For this reason, the state should focus on improving its media and information systems through establishing a unified policy regulating this sphere and ensuring its support from the government. Alignment of better data collection, sharing, and monitoring will help to make the existing security systems more powerful and provide them with new capabilities to regulate risks, manage them, and respond in fast and effective ways. Under these conditions, it can be recommended to focus on improving information systems and media in the UAE.
References
Ibish, Hussein. 2017. “The UAE’s Evolving National Security Strategy.” Agsiw. Web.
Kim, David, and Michael Solomon. 2016. Fundamentals of Information Systems Security. 3rd ed. New York: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Pearlson, Keri, Carol Saunders, and Dennis Galleta. 2019. Managing and Using Information Systems: A Strategic Approach. 7th ed. New York: Wiley.
U.AE. 2021. “National Cybersecurity Strategy 2019.” u.ae. Web.
United Arab Emirates. The Cabinet. n.d. “National Agenda.” UAEcabinet. Web.
W6nnews. 2021.“UAE Media Forum Discusses Developing the Media System to Keep Pace with the Future Trends of the Country – the Emirates – News and Reports.”W6nnews, Web.