ASSESSING SAUDI ARABIA AND UNITED ARAB EMIRATES CYBER CAPABILITIES

This thesis analyzes the cyber capabilities of two key U.S. allies in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. They were studied to obtain information and lessons learned to assist USCENTCOM (the U.S. Central Command) with achieving its goals there. This thesis analyzed the countries’ cyber infrastructure, organizations, vulnerabilities, experience of cyberattacks, and defensive cyber capabilities. Both countries were found to have robust cyber capabilities in private and governmental organizations, though little public information was found about each country’s military cyber capabilities. USCENTCOM believes that it will take a multi-nation goal-oriented approach to deter adversaries of Saudi Arabia and UAE like Iran in cyberspace. USCENTCOM should set up cyber-specific working groups with Saudi Arabia and the UAE to discuss their past cyber incidents, and work to develop ways to protect their critical infrastructure from Iran and non-state actors. They should also discuss the Chinese and Russian influence within the region with their partners to stay aware of those threats. Finally, USCENTCOM should try to build strong regional partnerships, and these alliances should include the cyber domain to promote security and economic growth in the Middle East.

Department dc:contributor.department

Information Sciences (IS)

Grantor dc:publisher

Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Darby, Jason B.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Rowe, Neil C.

Statement dc:rights

• This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10945/73439

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:calhoun.nps.edu:10945/73439