Cybersecurity in The Arab World: Technological and Socio-Political Dimensions

Membership in ACM includes a subscription to Communications of the ACM (CACM), the computing industry's most trusted source for staying connected to the world of advanced computing. Interconnected systems have become the backbone of modern societies. However, the very same critical role played by these systems brings significant challenges: Securing interconnected systems is not merely a technological necessity, but a cornerstone for safeguarding the economic, political, and social stability of countries. While these challenges are global, the Arab World presents a unique landscape that warrants a nuanced exploration of both commonalities and peculiarities within the broader context of securing interconnected systems (see Figure for a brief summary of these challenges). Interconnected systems, including cyber-physical systems, often combine computational and physical processes. They include critical infrastructure such as power grids, transportation networks, and healthcare systems, alongside commercial and industrial applications.