Management and Economics 423

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND NATIONAL

SECURITY: THE IMPACT OF IoT IN CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURES PROTECTION
AND DEFENCE SECTOR

Petrișor PĂTRAȘCU
“Carol I” National Defence University, Bucharest, Romania
[email protected]

ABSTRACT
Today’s society is increasingly dependent on the facilities offered by new
technologies. Thus, emerging technologies play a key role in people’s lives, as well
as in the functionality and protection of infrastructures that ensure the availability
of goods and essential services. Therefore, the exploitation of emerging technologies
has become necessary even in the most sensitive sectors of activity, which have
significant implications for ensuring national security. Artificial intelligence,
Internet of Things, Big Data, robots, drones, machine learning and many more are
feasible solutions for the dynamics and optimization of the environment in which
they are integrated. The defence sector has also implemented a number of new
technologies, integrating state-of-the-art digital systems into the communications
architecture that are necessary for carrying out the military operations in a modern
battlefield. Although, emerging technologies have a certain degree of uncertainty,
they have already been adopted, and today premises are moving towards further
innovation and development of emerging technologies by manufacturers that have
an increasing interest to integrate them in the key areas of activity. This article
provides an analysis of the impact of Internet of Things technologies on national
security, in terms of critical infrastructure protection and the defence sector.

KEYWORDS: emerging technologies, IoT, critical infrastructures protection,

defence sector

1. Introduction threats. I will analyse further in this article the

Nowadays, emerging technologies have Internet of Things (IoT) technologies as
become topics of interest in many areas of emerging technologies and their impact on
activity, including essential services. national security from the perspective of
Therefore, the implementation of such critical infrastructure protection and the
technologies in sensitive areas of national defence sector. Therefore, the analysis is
security is a real challenge even justified in based on the following questions:
terms of the defining characteristics of • Are IoT emerging technologies that
emerging technologies such as for instance impact on national security?
the inaccuracy of measuring technology • What is the impact of IoT on the
maturity over time. Although there is a functionality and protection of national
certain degree of uncertainty, from the critical infrastructures?
perspective of national security, emerging • What are the adoption of IoT for the
technologies must be seriously considered defence sector?
both as real opportunities and potential

DOI: 10.2478/raft-2021-0055
424 Management and Economics

The answers to these questions will be short-term objectives of the organization.

found in three sections, using both the The third theme, Sculpting Change,
analysis of the literature and the supports the fact that risk can be mitigated
transdisciplinary approach in the areas by influencing change. Thus, the solution is
mentioned above. for this change to be accepted as disruptive
and for emerging technologies to be held
2. IoT – Emerging Technologies in for shaping change and therefore avoiding
the Context of National Security chaos (Gartner, 2021).
Emerging technologies are identified The evolution of digital technologies
by a wide range of evolving and disruptive has made possible the rapid exchange of
innovations that are relevant to national information for people and organizations, in
security through the ability to amplify or almost all geographical locations.
impede military activities and other specific The growing interest in innovation, in line
intelligence activities in the field of national with the needs of today’s society, have fully
security (Analytic Exchange Program, contributed to the emergence of the digital
2018). The relevance of technology for world. The Internet, through its facilities,
security is multiple, and the control of has become an essential service in many
technology as an instrument of national areas of activity. Today, the lack of the
security strategies is particularly important Internet in various situations raises
(Mallik, 2004). According to some authors, questions, makes communication difficult,
technological innovation has already disrupts the conduct of activities and
surpassed the ability of states to manage the generates various effects, especially for
latest developments and potential effects of those who use it in carrying out their
emerging technologies. In this situation, the activities. New digital technologies on the
solution to manage emerging technologies other hand are fully contributing to meeting
may arise from new multilateral the concrete daily needs of both people and
approaches, involving several actors to society. In this sense, the artificial
develop technical and regulatory solutions intelligence, the Internet of Things, Big
(Kavanagh, 2019). In 2015 several studies Data, Cloud Computing, blockchain,
highlighted that the time of emerging quantum computing, 5G, robotics, drones,
technologies appearance was uncertain and 3D printing and others represent the
ambiguous. The main features of emerging innovative technologies that are part of the
technologies were also highlighted: radical reality we live.
novelty, relatively fast growth, coherence, All these technologies mentioned
prominent impact, uncertainty and above are also called frontier technologies
ambiguity. Moreover, the impact of these that benefit from digitalization and
technologies was transposed into the future connectivity, thereby amplifying their
(Rotolo, Hicks & Martin, 2015). Today, impact when combined (UNCTAD, 2021).
according to Gartner, there are three themes Therefore, digital interactions frequently
of emerging technology trends, depending involve large amounts of data, leading to
on their potential benefits and expected the development of Big Data tools and
impact. The first theme, Engineering Trust, techniques. The huge volume of data
is based on security, reliability and working supported by Cloud Computing, the
practices. The second theme, Accelerating outsourcing of software and hardware
Growth, refers to initiatives that provide components and process automation have
opportunities for organizations. In this case, significantly contributed to the
the technological risk must be correlated development of IoT technologies
with the economic risk, in order to meet the (Shnurenko, Murovana & Kushchu, 2020).

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Management and Economics 425

At the same time, a smart IoT system has infrastructures provide two directions. The
artificial intelligence that serves the actual first direction is a common one, addressing
goal of automation and adaptation (Ghosh, two European critical infrastructure sectors,
Chakrabort & Law, 2018). The importance namely energy and transport sectors, and the
of artificial intelligence for cyber security second is an individual one, in which EU
can also be mentioned here, which can be Member States establish their national critical
used for the development of complex infrastructure sectors, such as: health, national
algorithms to protect IoT against security, financial-banking, food and
cyberattacks, including those attacks that agriculture, information and communication
are using artificial intelligence (Kuzlu, Fair technology, administration and others. There
& Guler, 2021). are also two critical infrastructure sectors at
In recent years, the rise of IoT national level: energy and transport. In this
technologies has managed to change context, the protection of critical
paradigms and strategies; at first they have infrastructure, by EU Member States is very
been used for smart homes or cars, and now important for ensuring national security.
they are used in the most important Currently, emerging technologies are used in
domains of activity. Thus, IoT is classified critical infrastructure in order to streamline
as an emerging technology and considered a functionality and to ensure protection against
particularly important tool in combination any physical and cyber threats.
with other technologies. Within a Next, I will pay attention to some
bibliometric analysis carried out during examples through studies undertaken by
2006-2015, the authors (Li, Porter & several authors on the implementation of IoT
Suominem, 2018) have analysed, compared technologies in various fields of activity, thus
and identified IoT as an emerging highlighting the importance and need for the
technology, at the expense of disruptive adoption of such technologies for the critical
technology. infrastructure sectors and subsectors. In the
The implementation of IoT in both the medical field, by adopting advanced
critical infrastructure sectors and the defence technologies, people’s health problems can be
sector, is useful in supporting the easily managed and controlled. Through IoT,
achievement of objectives, but there always the vital functions of patients can be
will be inevitable risks that may affect monitored anywhere in the world, efficient
national security. Therefore, the synchronization between ambulances and the
implementation of IoT technologies in the traffic light system can be achieved,
two areas that are essential for national intelligent hospitals can be developed, the
security has to be a complex process, based information exchange between patients and
on surveys and in-depth research and medical staff can be more efficient and
analysis. telemedicine can sustained, as transmission of
information is less expensive than
3. The Impact of IoT on the transporting people (Gamage & Madushan,
Functionality and Protection of National 2020). The development of IoT solutions
Critical Infrastructures improves medical assistance, meets the
Each state protects its critical requirements of medical staff, contributes to
infrastructure that provides vital goods and patient safety and increases operational
services to society. Thus, critical efficiency in the medical industry (Dang,
infrastructures are essential systems in the Piran, Han, Min & Moon, 2019). Also in
context of national security. For example, the relation to the medical sector, several authors
EU approach for the identification, have analysed the role and importance of IoT
designation and protection of critical during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic.

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426 Management and Economics

In fact, the pandemic has been, is and will be expectations. To this purpose, UAV sensors,
a threat to people and society, and for the cloud-computing, communication technology,
critical infrastructure, regardless of industry, remote sensing via satellite systems, are
it is an event transposed into a threat scenario elements that can revolutionize the
integrated into the structure of the operator’s agricultural industry (Ayaz, Ammad-Uddin,
security plan. A group of authors (Nasajpour, Sharif, Mansour & Aggoune, 2019). As for
Pouriyeh, Parizi, Dorodchi, Valero & the financial-banking sector, IoT is a growing
Pouriyeh, 2020) have studied a series of source of Big Data in terms of information
implementations of IoT technologies in the obtained from the physical world, used for
fight against COVID-19, dividing them into financial-banking services, risk management,
three phases: diagnosis, quarantine and post- insurance purposes etc. According to a group
recovery. Thus, portable devices, drones, of authors (Khanboubi, Boulmakoul &
robots and smartphone applications, Tabaa, 2019), highlight IoT-based digital
contribute significantly to reducing trends that have a direct impact on financial
infections, hospitalizations and mortality. services and set out two approaches to these
Another sector where IoT devices fully trends with regards to the future of banks.
justify their usefulness is transportation. The first approach refers to the replacement
Whether we are analysing air, road, naval, rail of traditional banks, and the second approach
or urban transport, intelligent systems are is aimed at completing the banks by
increasingly present. Some specialists note transforming them into more connected and
the benefits to the traffic system if IoT is digitized infrastructures. These are just a few
integrated into intelligent transport systems examples of adopting IoT solutions in various
(Chand & Karthikeyan, 2018). critical infrastructure sectors. Moreover, IoT
The usefulness of IoT applications can be stands next to artificial intelligence, Big Data,
seen in traffic monitoring, car theft detection, cloud computing at the level of cutting-edge
permanent toll collection system, air pollution technologies that have changed the world.
monitoring or even the transportation
guidance and control systems (Kumar & 4. The Impact of IoT Adoption on
Dash, 2017). Another sector that has begun to the Defence Sector
appreciate the IoT technologies is agriculture. In general, emerging technologies are
If we take into account the estimate that the questionable when they are about to be
world population will grow by 25 % in 2050 adopted for the defence sector.
compared to the current number, as well as The persistence and interest of manufacturers
the estimate that the urban population will to develop emerging technologies in the
reach 70 %, then food production should defence sector is increased. Instead,
double. In addition to food, agricultural crop decision-makers and military experts
production is becoming critical for industry appreciate the potential benefits, but also
and for the economy of many countries. Also, have reservations about their specific
the use of agricultural crops for the vulnerabilities and risks. However, for many
production of biofuels and bioenergy adds years, the defence sector has shown a
pressure to the production of agricultural growing interest in adopting IoT solutions.
resources. All these agricultural resources are The use of IoT offers many benefits
confined to the limitations of agricultural including increased efficiency, greater
areas, such as temperature, topography, automation, reduced human error, low costs
climate, and soil quality. Experts emphasize and a large amount of data collected and
the role of different technologies, especially analysed, even if there have been
IoT, in achieving a more efficient and smarter implemented much more stringent privacy
agriculture in order to meet future policies and security standards the defence

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Management and Economics 427

sector (Crelier, 2019). At first, they have been the logistics field includes a large amount of
tested mainly for the non-combat areas, for data and information on transport,
logistics, communications, medical or distribution, equipment, maintenance,
research and surveillance systems. ammunition and much more. Some authors
Subsequently, according to a group of note that the IoT can reduce the response time
specialists (Fraga-Lamas, Fernández- of providing logistics and also improve the
Caramés, Suárez-Albela, Castedo & speed of actions (Wang, Cao, Shen & Zheng,
González-López, 2016), these solutions cover 2018). Other authors propose a conceptual
a much larger area, including the combat model called the Military Supply Chain
zone, being developed for C4ISR systems, Cyber Implications Model (M-SCCIM),
fire control systems, smart city-specific based on IoT technologies and smart
operations and others. contracts to facilitate supply chain activities
Currently, if we look from the (Sobb & Turnbull, 2020). Smart contracts are
perspective of operational areas, there is a programs stored on a blockchain that run only
growing interest in the adoption of IoT in when predetermined conditions are met.
each of the five areas – terrestrial, air, Therefore, IoT solutions are diverse
maritime, space, cyberspace, including a and provides benefits to military activities,
holistic approach, such as Joint all Domain being used in the most important fields, both
Operation (JADO). Moreover, the in time of peace and in warfare. But in return,
interconnectivity and compatibility with other there are many risks and vulnerabilities
emerging technologies further increases the caused by the integration of such
interest for the implementation IoT. The role technologies in the defence sector. The
artificial intelligence in IoT technologies is an defence infrastructure sector represents a
eloquent example. Data from sensors and target for cyber attackers, especially those
other smart devices is a tremendous amount supported by state and non-state actors. Their
of information, which is analysed, sorted, cyber-attacks aim, on the one hand, to disable
filtered and processed, some of them already and disrupt services, and on the other hand, to
using the Big Data concept. The results of remain as long as possible in software
these processes are getting implemented into systems and related networks, without being
both predictable and actionable intelligence, discovered, in order to steal as much data and
in accordance with the requirements of classified information as possible.
strategic, operational and tactical level Consequently, cybersecurity measures are
information. essential in the defence sector, in order to
Also, artificial intelligence (AI) ensure the confidentiality, availability and
represents a topical issue for the defence integrity of IoT technologies.
sector. The unique features of AI are
particularly important for national security. 5. Conclusions
Therefore, AI may be integrated into many In general, emerging technologies have
applications, thereby improving IoT in order a significant impact on the sectors where they
to optimize performance (Sayler, 2019). have been implemented, including on critical
Artificial intelligence algorithms used in infrastructure and the defence sector. First,
military systems in areas such as Big Data, the benefits of emerging technologies that are
logistics, object detection and cybersecurity already being exploited are greatly
reveal particularly important areas of the appreciated and many activities are being
defence sector, with a key role in ensuring automated and optimized. Secondly, the
national security and deployment of a expected advantages of the technologies that
military operations in the modern warfare are in the process of designing and testing
(Bistron & Piotrowski, 2021). For example, represent a real interest for national security,

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428 Management and Economics

being classified as new technologies that can could play a critical role in the IoT security
influence essential goods and services and the challenge even though some specific
conduct of military operations in the modern properties of IoT are already successfully
warfare. Third, the interoperability and implemented in critical infrastructures.
connection of several types of emerging Last but not least, the adoption of IoT
technologies greatly increase the functionality technologies in the defence sector and critical
and protection of critical infrastructure, as infrastructure should consider the associated
well as superiority in the planning and security risks so that cyber-attacks do not be a
conduct of military operations. Moreover, the threat to national security.
architecture of military systems and networks

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