Enhancing space security in the Abu Dhabi Dialogue
During the past two days, I was interested in following up the activities of the first edition of the “Abu Dhabi Space Dialogue”, which is organized by the Emirates Space Agency with the participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of Defense, and which was graciously sponsored by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him. And witnessed the presence of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, member of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and head of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, at the ADNOC Business Center with the participation of more than 300 decision makers and representatives of space agencies. Ministers and international specialized companies from more than 47 countries.
It came to my attention that the Abu Dhabi Space Dialogue is the first dialogue of its kind globally in this field, and that it focuses on “enhancing space security.” This is a unique feature that has not been previously mentioned in any global dialogue or meeting, which confirms that the UAE is no longer ready. Not only to be among the list of developed countries that are proactive in the field of visiting and exploring space, and to develop fruitful and constructive international cooperation in the space sector. in many other sectors.
In any case, while there are common factors between the so-called “cyberspace security” or cybersecurity, and the general “space security”, the two terms differ in the essence of each of them, as Ross J. Anderson” in his book “Security Engineering: A Guide to Building Reliable Distributed Systems” and “Maury Jasser” in his book “Building a Secure Computer System” to say: Cybersecurity is a branch of technology known as information security applied to computers and networks with the aim of protecting information and property from theft, corruption, or natural disasters, but it allows information and property to remain safe within the reach of its authorized users and to prevent tampering with it or its exposure to collapse or penetration by untrustworthy or unauthorized persons or parties, and here we can define cybersecurity as “the science of And the art of information security to protect computers and various technological devices from hacking or stealing electronic and smart information and data, disrupting the services they provide, or damaging the programs they use, and keeping them safe for their trusted users.
As for “space security”, according to my point of view, it is a new term that has not yet crystallized in its final form, due to confusion with “cyberspace security”. And that guarantees free access to outer space and its use to support the vital interests of the world’s countries, and that all countries have the right to explore and use space for peaceful purposes, and for the benefit of all mankind in accordance with international law, as a matter of common interest, and that all countries have the right to help prevent unfortunate accidents and mitigate the severity of Lack of confidence in the field of space, especially in the field of infrastructure systems supporting space, where the United States considers, for example, that any violation of these systems is a violation of its sovereignty and national security.
“Space security” cannot be reduced to an article or a book, while we know that the conflict in space between countries such as America, China, Russia, and others began to emerge in the middle of the last century, and there was a kind of fierce competition between them, during which a wide range of misconceptions spread. However, at present, and with the development of that conflict, it becomes clear that the countries of the world are facing two paths that have no third, either transforming that conflict to become like “conflict and nuclear armament” or the path of absolute cooperation that is based on global strategies that enhance space security, before the conflict turns into A kind of real threat to humanity, because parties or countries have the ability to develop anti-space systems motivated to fight the “First World War in space”!
I believe that the Abu Dhabi Space Dialogue has contributed, and will contribute significantly and effectively, in the near future, to the formulation of many concepts to bring together views on space security, and ways to enhance and sustain it, in a way that serves all humanity, and will open the door wide for the exchange of ideas, opinions, observations and plans that can form The right first nucleus, to coordinate international cooperation, on “space security”, not only governmental or semi-governmental, but also established and emerging countries and companies working in the field of space.
* Retired Air Force Major General
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