Regional and global events have introduced drastic changes to the conflict between competitive powers. New tools that can tip the balance of power in favor of a certain country have emerged on the global scene. These tools are not like the traditional ones used for battles that are now not fought on the ground, but in cyberspace. Regional conflicts have created competition between the key players in the region. There is no physical battleground, and there is no limit to the damage that can be done or sustained. This type of war is ferocious and destructive and it allows the other party to use the weapons that are most appropriate to achieve its interests. In a nutshell, there is a need for a special kind of preparation and supplies to prevent any damage. Even regular armies today race to possess these tools in order to help them tip the balance of power in their favor and against that of their enemies. I am talking about cyberwars. Terrorist groups have launched an all-out cyberwar against us. They recruit and train their members on the Internet and launch attacks on various websites. We are keen to own more advanced weapons for our army, and we should be similarly keen to form an electronic army that has the most advanced tools and weapons to counter terrorism. According to statistics, the Kingdom is one the countries most targeted by cyberspace hackers. The reports issued by electronic security companies indicate an increase in the rate of attacks on our computers and websites. These hackers want to gather information and wreak havoc on our servers and online services, as well as on the systems themselves. The Kingdom has so far faced two major attacks, the first against Aramco network systems, while the other was against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' databases. Many discussed the importance of forming a virtual army to counterattack these threats. Cyberspace security is at the top of priority lists in many countries. It was the top priority on the last talks held between China and the United States. The Kingdom should conduct more research and study on cyberspace security and cooperate with specialized companies to acquire defensive skills and strategies. We should give qualified young men and women a chance to show their strength in the field, and we should also develop their skills. Many of the loopholes and problems in online systems were discovered by amateurs. In fact, the programmers of anti-hacking and virus protection software are often amateurs.
