ENGINEERING FOR CONTINUITY: REDUNDANCY AND PHYSICAL SECURITY A smart infrastructure model requires a foundation of sound engineering and physical security. The model adheres to the global best practices established by BICSI. BICSI standards provide detailed guidelines for every component of the system, from intelligent buildings (ANSI/BICSI 007) to distributed antenna systems (ANSI/BICSI 006) and data centers (ANSI/BICSI 002). Central to resilience is the principle of redundancy. This is implemented at three levels:
• Edge Computing : While IoT and AI are vital, they require a resilient network to function. Edge computing improves disaster resilience by reducing dependency on centralized data centers and enabling faster, localized responses. By distributing processing and storage closer to where data is generated, critical systems can remain operational even if the central cloud were to be unavailable. This decentralization provides a crucial layer of redundancy, ensuring that systems like surveillance cameras or medical equipment can continue to function during a network outage, minimizing downtime and data loss. The combined application of these technologies is pivotal. For example, AI-based prediction models can be complemented by IoT sensors and drones to bolster disaster risk management and enhance the effectiveness of early warning systems. This integrated approach is critical for moving beyond a reactive, fragmented defense to a truly proactive, continuous state of readiness.
statutory body responsible for regulating the telecommunications sector, ensuring adequacy and enhancement of ICT services. Alongside the TDRA, the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) provides the national framework for emergency response. The National Emergency Plan of TDRA for the telecommunications sector is designed to provide the foundation for an effective and coordinated emergency response by the sector. This strategic oversight is formalized through national frameworks. The National Information Assurance Framework (NIAF) and National Cyber Security Strategy (NCSS) of the UAE aim to secure national cyberspace and its ICT infrastructure. These frameworks address cybersecurity topics at the entity, sector, and national levels, ensuring a comprehensive, multi-layered defense. The UAE government's preference for a national sovereignty approach allows it to enforce sophisticated cybersecurity policies that evolve with new threats, such as policies being developed for cloud computing and IoT security. This centralized control, in contrast to more fragmented models, creates a unified and clear national mandate for resilience. Telecommunications as a Lifeline: The Role of Etisalat and Du Etisalat and Du are the two main telecommunications service providers in the UAE. The duopolistic nature of the UAE telecommunications market, dominated by Etisalat and Du, provides a unique case study in leveraging regulated competition to enhance national resilience. The TDRA has pushed for a fixed-line network sharing agreement between the two operators. 2 While commercial disagreements have caused delays in a full rollout, the regulatory push for this sharing arrangement demonstrates the commitment of the UAE’s government to ensuring pervasive network redundancy as a core tenet of disaster preparedness. Both operators have heavily invested in advanced, future-proof network architectures. Etisalat "cloud core" and "agile metro" architectures are designed for massive scale and redundancy. Their strategy includes the virtualization of network functions and the use of software-driven, data-center-based platforms, which
drones can quickly gather detailed post-disaster damage assessment data, without putting human lives at risk. • AI : AI is the analytical engine that can transform raw IoT data into actionable intelligence. AI algorithms can process vast amounts of data from various sources to predict the onset of disasters, allowing for more timely evacuations and risk mitigation. The Deloitte Center for Sustainable Progress report projects that AI could prevent 15 percent of projected natural disaster losses to critical infrastructure, saving an estimated $70 billion globally by 2050. 1 AI also supports post-disaster recovery by optimizing relief distribution and more rapidly assessing damages. The value of AI lies in its ability to improve forecasting, reliability, and accuracy, especially in data-scarce environments, while reducing the computational time and costs associated with traditional models.
1. Component Redundancy : Providing backup for critical, high-risk components.
2. System Redundancy : Implementing full system-level backups, such as a redundant power system. 3. Network Redundancy : Deploying network topologies that provide alternate pathways for data, such as a dual-homed connection to service providers or an optical fiber ring network that provides a redundant pathway in case of a link failure. This model emphasizes physical security through hardened infrastructure, which includes measures to protect physical assets from fire, water damage, and other physical threats. Best practices, such as locating duplicate control panels in a separate part of a facility and having protective coverings for sensitive equipment, are essential for ensuring operational continuity. THE UAE MODEL: A NATIONAL BLUEPRINT FOR RESILIENCE Strategic Governance and Regulation The UAE's approach to ICT resilience provides a powerful case study of how a top-down, government-driven strategy can serve as a national blueprint. This approach is characterized by strong central governance, with key entities leading the charge. The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is the
Edge Computing (Processing Layer)
Disaster Phase IoT (Sensory Layer)
AI (Analytical Engine)
Structural health sensors on buildings, bridges, and power grids. Environmental sensors for early warning of floods, wildfires, and seismic activity. Drones and cameras for real-time aerial views and damage assessment. Infrastructure sensors to monitor for secondary hazards and structural integrity.
Predictive maintenance to identify and address vulnerabilities before failure. Predictive analytics to forecast disaster impacts and optimize resource allocation. Rapid data analysis to provide situational awareness and optimize first responder routes. AI-powered image analysis to quickly assess damages and accelerate rebuilding.
Localized data processing for continuous monitoring and anomaly detection. Decentralized redundancy and backup across multiple nodes for business continuity. On-site data processing for critical applications when the central network is down. Local data storage and synchronization to restore central systems once connectivity is re-established.
Mitigation
Preparedness
Response
Recovery
TABLE 1: ICT Technologies and their role across the disaster resilience lifecycle. Source: STL.
I
I
16
ICT TODAY
January/February/March 2026
17
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs