UAE Security and the Effect of Technology and Car Bombs - Essay Example

? UAE Security and the Effect of Technology and Car Bombs UAE Security and the Effect of Technology and Car Bombs Technology is a tool associated with immense power. Concerning terrorism, technology can prove to be a reliable asset to mitigate and prevent attacks. On the other hand, terrorists are utilizing the efficiency of technology to cause destruction. Technology use is double-sided. However, controlled use of technology can provide tools that any government can rely on to predict threats and risks be able to respond in good time. This paper will review the available literature and present ways in which the United Arab Emirates can make use of technology as a critical asset in addressing civil security. In addition, the paper will also highlight the possible ways in which these Emirates can curb the negative use of technology. Technology has enabled terrorists design car bombs according to Craighead (2009). The car bombs in use today are likely to cause greater explosion. The perpetrator can easily deliver the bomb to the target area (Bassiouni, 2008). Due to the close proximity, the explosion has the potential of causing indiscriminate mass destruction. The existent of the car bombs increases the need for tighter security. Stringent checking of cars driving into critical structures and other crucial areas like airports is proving necessary in most parts of the world. The UAE region is prone to terrorist attacks being an economically vibrant region. Police reports from this region indicate that they have been using technology to mitigate and protect any form of terrorist attacks. UAE launched an effective face recognition system in 2008 (Abu Dhabi Police DHQ, 2012). The technology of face recognition the states are using is one of the most efficient and has the ability to capture facial images and recognize them. Through this technology, they ensure that their borders are safe. Due to the efficiency of the face recognition system, they can mitigate any attack and monitor the entry of people into the region. This helps them keep off terrorists before their entry. Reports from the Abu Dhabi police department reveal that the face recognition system seeks to provide increased security to the community. The system has the ability to capture images and through a high-resolution technology produce images that ease identification. The system can attract subjects of interest and capture facial features and is not prone to any form of distortion. The region is aware of the possible security threats. It aims at protecting each business despite the size. Many enterprises have an access control system, biometric security, CCTV surveillances, and the face recognition system. Other security –solutions are in place. All these are only possible through technology application. All these aim at ensuring a high level of civil security at a time when the use of conventional weapons has reportedly caused a lot of damage in many places of the world (Abu Dhabi Police DHQ, 2012). The UAE region also needs to improve the security to its critical structures. In addition to the security solutions, the states should focus on hardening walls of buildings. The hardening of walls involves in cooperating material that can resist the effect of any bomb or conventional weapon. The new technology ensures that any successful attacks produce minimal damage. The hardening of walls is a proactive measure that increases civil security. It is effective in preventing property damage and life loss. In case of attacks, buildings with hardened critical structures resist the pressure and cannot collapse easily. Research shows that during an explosion, the collapsing building has more effects on the people than the real weapon. Understanding this fact should be a guideline to the UAE to use an extensive blast design in the architecture of its critical structures. Hardening the walls is one of the available technologies. Other available technologies include the use of blast-resistant glass in construction. Other studies indicate that indentations in a building are potential places for terrorists to conceal conventional weapons. Therefore, architects should be more wary of such and minimize any indentation in the building. In addition, the design of floors should allow reverse loading in case of any blast. If glass-resistant glass is unavailable, resistant curtains of polyester films fitted onto the glass help shield the effect of glass wreckages (Kieval, 2002). The UAE should assess its potential risk to any form of attacks and determine how much the states are willing to invest to protect its people. The states may opt for an extensive civilian protection through an integration of all available technologies in both the critical structures and civilian homes. The case study of Israel and its extensive provision of security to all civilians is an example of what the UAE can be able to achieve. Adopting a proactive design culture will ensure increased civil security. Moreover, there are upcoming technologies used by intelligence units in mitigation of any terrorist risk. The region should have in place an intelligence system using the most modern software and technology to mitigate attacks (Mockaitis, 2008). In addition, the UAE is aware of the effects that can result from a natural disaster. A study carried out to assess the risk, mitigation, and preparedness of disaster in the region revealed important information. In one of the states, named Fujairah, several natural disasters have occurred. These include the Masafi earthquake, Qurayah flood, a landslide in Altawaian and other storms and flash floods. These occurrences provide a fresh insight that disqualifies the wrong assumption that the UAE is least prone to natural disasters. It poses an additional challenge for the states to take measures of preventing and mitigating such occurrences in the future. According to Zschau and International Conference on Early Warning Systems for the Reduction of Natural Disasters (2003), being proactive can reduce the effects of natural hazards. Natural hazards cause a great challenge to civil security. It may disrupt infrastructures and destabilize economies (Stoltman, Lidstone and Dechano, 2007). Technology can provide early warning systems to the states (Haddow, Bullock, and Coppola, 2011). This will enable them to act towards minimizing the effects of the hazard. It is evident that technology is the power that all nations are depending on to increase civil security. The UAE is making its efforts in a bid to ensure that the civilians have an assurance of protection of their property and lives. Technology has its hazards as well. It has given birth to conventional weapons that threaten security today. With the development of advanced conventional weapons that can cause great effect despite the distance, nations are more wary of security (Asthana, 2009). Most of these weapons operate using digital technology and this increases the need to develop a higher-level technology that will be useful in countering the effect of attacks and preventing them before they happen (Borono et al, 2007). According to the U.S Conference on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering and Beavers (2003), technology can help give accurate predications of natural hazards and the UAE should employ these technologies. Technology has had great impact on the humans. Its relevant use can make life much easier. On the other hand, technology has produced conventional weapons that threaten the security of people in the world (Shanahan, 2005). The world has a great challenge of exploiting the power of technology to increase security. As described, many technological inventions can help a great deal in preventing attacks and natural hazards according to the National Research Council of U.s (2002). Terrorist attacks can have massive impacts and each nation should invest in security measures that prevent and reduce such effects. The UAE’s face recognition system is a positive step in ensuring civil security. However, the states have the potential of doing much more. References Abu Dhabi Police QHQ. (2012). Face Recognition. Retrieved on September 24, 2012, from http://www.adpolice.gov.ae/en/portal/face.fingerprints.aspx Asthana, N. C., & Nirmal, A. (2009). Urban terrorism: Myths and realities. Jaipur: Pointer Publishers. Bassiouni, M. C. (2008). International criminal law. Leiden, The Netherlands: M. Nijhoff Publishers. Bonomo, J., Rand Homeland Security (Program), Rand Corporation., & United States. (2007). Stealing the sword: Limiting terrorist use of advanced conventional weapons. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corp. Craighead, G. (2009). High-rise security and fire life safety. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann/Elsevier. Haddow, G. D., Bullock, J. A., & Coppola, D. P. (2011). Introduction to emergency management. Burlington, MA: Butterworth Heinemann. Kieval, S. (2002). Structural Blast Design. Retrieved on September 24, 2012, from http://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/29414/56138443.pdf?sequence=1 Mockaitis, T. R. (2008). The "new" terrorism: Myths and reality. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press. National Research Council (U.S.). (2002). Making the nation safer: The role of science and technology in countering terrorism. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press. Shanahan, T. (2005). Philosophy 9/11: Thinking about the war on terrorism. Chicago: Open Court. Stoltman, J. P., Lidstone, J., & Dechano, L. M. (2007). International perspectives on natural disasters: Occurrence, mitigation, and consequences. Dordrecht: Springer. U.S. Conference on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering, & Beavers, J. E. (2003). Advancing mitigation technologies and disaster response for lifeline systems: Proceedings of the sixth U.S. Conference and Workshop on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering, August 10-13, 2003, Long Beach, California. Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers. Zschau, J., & International Conference on Early Warning Systems for the Reduction of Natural Disasters (1998, Potsdam). (2003). Early warning systems for natural disaster reduction: With 79 tables. Berlin : Springer. Read More