Developing a National Cybersecurity Strategy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence in Palestine
TL;DR
The findings suggest that Palestine can enhance its cybersecurity resilience by adopting a phased and adaptive strategy that leverages human capital, strengthens institutional coordination, and aligns with international cybersecurity standards.
Abstract
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed the cybersecurity landscape, introducing both enhanced defensive mechanisms and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Nations worldwide are integrating AI into their cybersecurity strategies to improve threat detection, automate responses, and strengthen resilience against cyberattacks. However, the dual-use nature of AI also enables adversaries to develop advanced attack techniques, including intelligent malware, automated phishing, and deepfake-based disinformation campaigns [1], [2]. In Palestine, the need for a comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy is becoming increasingly urgent due to ongoing digital transformation across governmental, economic, and social sectors. Despite this progress, the Palestinian cybersecurity ecosystem faces critical challenges, including fragmented institutional governance, limited technical infrastructure, insufficient legal frameworks, and constraints related to digital sovereignty [3]. This research aims to develop a strategic framework for a national cybersecurity strategy in Palestine that integrates AI technologies while addressing local constraints and global best practices. The study adopts a qualitative analytical approach based on literature review, comparative analysis of international models, and evaluation of existing Palestinian policies. The proposed framework—Palestinian Cybersecurity Strategy Framework (PCSF)—is built upon five key pillars: governance, legal and regulatory frameworks, capacity building, technological infrastructure, and international cooperation, with AI integration as a cross-cutting component. The findings suggest that Palestine can enhance its cybersecurity resilience by adopting a phased and adaptive strategy that leverages human capital, strengthens institutional coordination, and aligns with international cybersecurity standards. The study contributes to both academic research and policy development by providing a context-specific model for cybersecurity strategy in environments characterized by political and technological constraints.