الهجمات السيبرانية على البنى التحتية للمدن الذكية:  التحديات القانونية واستراتيجية المواجهة

Emad El Din Mohamed Kamel  Abdul Hamid

doi:10.35516/law.v50i3.2864

Authors

Emad El Din Mohamed Kamel Abdul Hamid Department of Law, Imam Malik College of Sharia & Law, Government of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0272-0725

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/law.v50i3.2864

Keywords:

Cyberspace, smart cities, cyber-attacks, cyber security, legal challenges

Abstract

Objectives: The study seeks to elucidate the concept of smart cities, outlining their distinctive pillars and characteristics compared to traditional cities. It delves into the legal aspects of cyber-attacks, particularly focusing on the increase of cyber-terrorism and cyber-warfare incidents. The analysis defines the legal nature of these attacks and proposes strategies for combating them, accompanied by pertinent recommendations.

Methods: The study used inductive and comparative analytical approaches to evaluate smart cities and police, emphasizing protective measures against cyber-terrorism and cyber-warfare. It assessed the effectiveness of cybersecurity systems and explored causes for rising cyber-attacks despite existing security measures. The analysis also involved reviewing legislation governing the UAE's Smart Police and comparing experiences with other countries to gauge success in reducing such crimes.

Results: The study showed that the conflict between technologies and the weakness of the cyber security system is the main factor in the increase in cybercrimes against smart cities’ infrastructure. The study also revealed that cyber-terrorism and cyber-wars are among the greatest threats to the national security of smart cities, and it is extremely difficult to determine the legal nature of each. Therefore, achieving physical security is the first line of defense to promote and protect the cyber national security facilities of the smart city infrastructure.

Conclusions: The study recommends warning against not importing ready-made protection systems for cyber security because of their risk to countries’ national security. The study also highlights the need to promote and spread a culture of cyber security among citizens of smart cities.

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