Introduction
With the introduction of technologically enhanced sustainable systems, environmental structures are becoming more exposed to recurrent cyber attacks. Infrastructure like water supply and waste management facilities have proven to be a popular target for hackers as it gives them the ability to easily disrupt the lives of millions.
A key example of this took place on October 3, 2024, in the United States, when the American Water Works Company, Inc. experienced a cyber attack that caused customers to experience temporary disruptions in online billing.
It is also worth noting that the MENA region is no stranger to these issues given escalations in cyber attacks doubling year-on-year in Q3 2023 and tripling in Q1 2024. How does this region regulate these incidents? In this article, we examine the best regulation strategies for ensuring digital environmental structure remains protected.
How Often Do Environmental Infrastructure Experience Cyber Threats in the MENA Region?
The Global Southern region, including the Middle East is significantly exposed to cyber attacks due to rapid environmental modernization. Numerous waste and wastewater managment facilities have made the leap from manual to digital, signalling a major change in environmental development. However, it has become increasingly evident that cyber security was overlooked to a certain degree.
According to a report from the UAE Cybersecurity Council estimates that 200,000 attacks occur daily with primary affected sectors including, utilities, energy and transport. Given the importance of digital environmental infrastructure to the region, these cyber attacks can lead to operational setbacks that threaten the region’s environmental ecosystem.
Regulatory Recommendations for Boosting Protection from Cyber Attacks
Curbing cyber threats to environmental infrastructure in the MENA region is a crucial step in securing rapid development. These are our recommendations for how regulatory improvements can be used to meet this demand:
Strengthen National Frameworks and Governance
Beyond earlier considerations of digital protection, national systems must be restructured and improved to account for new advancements in cyber attacks. This can be achieved through the implementation and enforcement of cyber laws for safeguarding government systems and prosecuting offenders.
Protect Critical Infrastructure and Data
Governments and corporations can implement stricter controls for managing crucial information to reduce the occurrence of data breaches. Personal data protection laws can also be enforced to regulate how data from sensitive professionals is shared on public platforms.
Promote Best Practices and Compliance
The conduct of best cyber practices and digital compliance checks can reduce the odds of cyber breaches and system failures. Significant improvements can also be made through cyber training of personnel in charge of environmental infrastructure. This makes it easier for technical staff to spot when things are going wrong and react in the best way to curtail damage.
Conclusion
The existence of technological progress does not require foregoing cyber security systems. With practical national frameworks and staff education at all levels, we can expect the MENA region to develop the necessary measures for curbing cyber threats to digital environmental activities.