Against the backdrop of today's rapid global technological advancements, leading to a significant evolution in information, data exchange systems, and air traffic management, these technological shifts have, in turn, introduced challenges to the cybersecurity of the civil aviation sector. This underscores the pressing need to formulate a clear methodology and implement effective measures to confront these challenges and combat potential electronic threats and attacks directed at the civil aviation sector within the country.

In response to these challenges, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), in partnership with the UAE Cybersecurity Council, has crafted the National Cybersecurity Strategy for Civil Aviation. The primary objective is to establish a secure digital infrastructure that strengthens the defense of civil aviation systems and networks in the country against cybersecurity threats.

Recognizing that cybersecurity threats in the aviation sector extend beyond national borders, international consensus becomes imperative to construct a robust framework for tackling these challenges. The National Cybersecurity Strategy for Civil Aviation places emphasis on bolstering international cooperation frameworks with relevant entities to ensure the effectiveness of the measures implemented in this context.

Addressing cybersecurity threats stands as a paramount priority in fulfilling the vision of the General Civil Aviation Authority, which centers around the development of a secure, pioneering, and sustainable civil aviation system. The United Arab Emirates has been instrumental in launching various cybersecurity initiatives at both national and international levels. Initiatives include proposing The ICAO Cyber Summit in 2017, the inaugural summit addressing electronic threats in civil aviation through Dubai Declaration on Cyber Security in Civil Aviation. Additionally, the Global Government Summit in 2022 endorsed the organization of a high-level conference on cybersecurity strategy to support the implementation of the International Civil Aviation Organization's General Assembly resolution on "Addressing Cybersecurity in Civil Aviation."

The National Cybersecurity Strategy for Civil Aviation aligns with the efforts of the country in this domain and is also in compliance with the obligations set forth in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Chicago Convention to ensure the security, safety, and continuity of civil aviation. This includes considerations for cybersecurity, as well as recognition of the Dubai Declaration on Cybersecurity in Civil Aviation initiative and the ICAO General Assembly Resolution A40-10, emphasizing the importance of addressing cybersecurity and ensuring electronic resilience for civil aviation systems, data, and information against cyber threats and risks.

The strategy emphasizes the formation of a national cybersecurity team and outlines seven key objectives, including: Foster cybersecurity culture in civil aviation, Enable civil aviation stakeholders to safeguard themselves against common cyber-attacks, Require stakeholders to identify and protect critical information and communications technology systems and data used for civil aviation purposes, Develop sufficient human resources, capacity and capability by delivering appropriate, coherent and relevant aviation cybersecurity training for personnel of the appropriate authority for aviation cybersecurity and relevant stakeholders, Ensure business continuity related to cybersecurity, Provide confidence to aviation stakeholder and the travelling public to securely participate in the digital world, Contribute to innovation in cybersecurity.