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Cybersecurity and smart tourist destinations resilience

Ghaderi, Zahed ; Beal, Luc ; Hall, Collin Michael LU ; Zaman, Mustafeed ; Ahmad Rather, Raouf and Mat Som, Ahmad Puad (2024) In Tourism Recreation Research
Abstract

Empirical research on the resilience of smart tourist destinations (STDs) to cybersecurity threats is scarce. The current research aims to address this gap by exploring cybersecurity risks within STDs and their resilience to withstand cyber threats. Employing a qualitative approach, we conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with cybersecurity experts and stakeholders in Dubai’s tourism and hospitality sector. Through the lens of Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) theory, the results uncovered a range of cyber risks challenging STDs, necessitating diverse countermeasures. We found that the characteristics of STDs e.g. interconnectivity, decentralization and adaptability contribute to cybersecurity resilience. Key resilient components... (More)

Empirical research on the resilience of smart tourist destinations (STDs) to cybersecurity threats is scarce. The current research aims to address this gap by exploring cybersecurity risks within STDs and their resilience to withstand cyber threats. Employing a qualitative approach, we conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with cybersecurity experts and stakeholders in Dubai’s tourism and hospitality sector. Through the lens of Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) theory, the results uncovered a range of cyber risks challenging STDs, necessitating diverse countermeasures. We found that the characteristics of STDs e.g. interconnectivity, decentralization and adaptability contribute to cybersecurity resilience. Key resilient components identified include data encryption and backup, robust incident response plans, access control, network segmentation, and awareness initiatives. In addition, collaboration and partnerships were also recognized as fundamental in reinforcing STDs’ resilience to cyber risks. Furthermore, the study underlined challenges and strategies pertaining to system integrity and identity in combating cyber threats within STDs.

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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
complex adaptive systems theory, cyber risks, Cybersecurity, resilience, smart tourist destinations (STDs)
in
Tourism Recreation Research
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:85212073051
ISSN
0250-8281
DOI
10.1080/02508281.2024.2434791
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
03ca5bb7-4aab-435f-89a5-be42511945d4
date added to LUP
2025-01-30 11:55:31
date last changed
2025-04-04 15:16:06
@article{03ca5bb7-4aab-435f-89a5-be42511945d4,
  abstract     = {{<p>Empirical research on the resilience of smart tourist destinations (STDs) to cybersecurity threats is scarce. The current research aims to address this gap by exploring cybersecurity risks within STDs and their resilience to withstand cyber threats. Employing a qualitative approach, we conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with cybersecurity experts and stakeholders in Dubai’s tourism and hospitality sector. Through the lens of Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) theory, the results uncovered a range of cyber risks challenging STDs, necessitating diverse countermeasures. We found that the characteristics of STDs e.g. interconnectivity, decentralization and adaptability contribute to cybersecurity resilience. Key resilient components identified include data encryption and backup, robust incident response plans, access control, network segmentation, and awareness initiatives. In addition, collaboration and partnerships were also recognized as fundamental in reinforcing STDs’ resilience to cyber risks. Furthermore, the study underlined challenges and strategies pertaining to system integrity and identity in combating cyber threats within STDs.</p>}},
  author       = {{Ghaderi, Zahed and Beal, Luc and Hall, Collin Michael and Zaman, Mustafeed and Ahmad Rather, Raouf and Mat Som, Ahmad Puad}},
  issn         = {{0250-8281}},
  keywords     = {{complex adaptive systems theory; cyber risks; Cybersecurity; resilience; smart tourist destinations (STDs)}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Tourism Recreation Research}},
  title        = {{Cybersecurity and smart tourist destinations resilience}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2024.2434791}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/02508281.2024.2434791}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}