Saudi Arabia Opens New Drone Surveillance and Cybersecurity Centers

New facilities in Riyadh bring AI-equipped drone surveillance, centralized security operations and cyber threat monitoring into Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen protection of critical infrastructure.

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Saudi Arabia is expanding its facilities security capabilities with new command and control and cybersecurity centers in Riyadh. On October 20, Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif inaugurated the facilities at the Facilities Security Forces Command, adding new capabilities for field surveillance, operational coordination and cyber threat detection.

The command and control center comprises seven specialized units and connects with 13 command and control centers at Facilities Security Forces branches across the Kingdom. Its responsibilities include receiving reports, monitoring field operations and exchanging security information in coordination with the National Center for Security Operations. The center also uses unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with artificial intelligence technologies for field surveillance.

A separate cybersecurity center focuses on protecting data, networks and devices, identifying vulnerabilities and detecting cyber threats. Its stated purpose is to protect technical infrastructure and support business continuity. The two centers have different responsibilities, but both support facilities whose operations depend on reliable communications, equipment and information systems.

The Changing Demands of Infrastructure Security

Protecting an industrial site involves more than monitoring its physical boundaries. Security teams need dependable communications, accurate information and clear procedures for responding to incidents. A failure affecting connected equipment or networks can complicate monitoring and coordination, even when physical security measures remain in place.

Data centers illustrate the physical risks facing digital infrastructure. Despite their reliance on software and networked systems, they depend on secure facilities, reliable power and functioning equipment. Similar concerns apply to industrial sites, where disruptions to monitoring or communications can affect security operations. Saudi Arabia has not linked its new centers to a particular incident, and no performance figures have been released to show whether the systems will reduce response times or improve security outcomes.

Connected monitoring equipment also requires protection against cyber threats. The new centers introduce dedicated capabilities for surveillance coordination and cybersecurity, although details about their technical architecture and how their systems will work together have not been made public.

During the same visit, the minister launched digital services for Facilities Security Forces personnel through the Ministry of Interior's Absher platform. Officials also reviewed integrations involving the Mawared system, Absher and the National Unified Access platform, Nafath, as part of efforts to simplify administrative procedures and connect government services.

Another inauguration covered the Unified Central Admissions Building and its digital platform at the ministry's Agency for Military Affairs. The facility is designed to centralize recruitment and registration for applicants to the ministry's security and military sectors.

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