Gulf states' offensive cyber tools have regional focus

Subject

The Gulf 's cybersecurity agenda.

Significance

Offensive cyber capabilities are technological tools for intruding into external digital networks to delete, steal or manipulate data. All six states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar -- are developing these capabilities in the face of multiple threats.

Impacts

• There is currently no indication that the GCC states are preparing cyberattacks against critical infrastructure.
• GCC states will continue relying on Western and Israel private firms for advanced surveillance tools.
• Efforts to nationalise the cybersecurity sector will advance slowly.
• Cyber espionage is almost certainly a fourth, covert GCC goal.