Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Sharing videos of missile or drone interceptions on social media may seem harmless, even well-intentioned, but it can pose serious security risks, a cyber-intelligence expert has said.
Amid ongoing regional developments, UAE authorities have repeatedly urged the public to avoid posting or forwarding rumours and unverified information.
On Tuesday, the UAE's State Security Department stressed that, in light of current events, "photographing or sharing sensitive security sites, or promoting unreliable or fabricated information, is prohibited to safeguard national security and stability".
According to Mohammad Ali Alawadi, CEO of cyber-centric consulting firm Xenon Intelligence, every sensitive photo or video - including footage of interceptions - can carry hidden security implications.
"The biggest risk with recording and spreading photos and videos of missile or drone interceptions in social media is that the video turns into free intelligence material for adversaries," Alawadi told Aletihad.
He explained that in the field of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), analysts use a method known as geolocation to pinpoint filming locations using minute visual details. Building shapes, road layouts, shadow angles, landmarks, shop signs, licence plates, and even light reflections can reveal where footage was recorded.
"When the video is shared publicly, adversaries can and do determine where it was filmed and where the interception occurred, then correlate the interception timing and the target's path with defensive positions," Alawadi said.
With only brief clips, he added, hostile entities can analyse response patterns, coverage areas, capability distribution, routine movements, and even potential defence vulnerabilities.
"This creates a direct security risk," he said.
Some leaks originate from individuals with good intentions. Some simply want to inform loved ones or raise awareness but they are unaware of how much sensitive data a short video can expose.
Such accidents are considered information security incidents and must be handled in the same way digital forensics and incident response (DFIR) teams would, Alawadi said.
The first step is conducting a damage assessment to determine what was exposed - whether location markers, timestamps, licence plates, identifiable individuals, or other clues linking the footage to a specific site or entity, he said.
"Next is containment, by requesting takedowns from platforms, coordinating internally with the relevant authorities, and tracking re-uploads as much as possible."
The incident must also be documented and the root cause analysed, he added, noting that issues may stem from phone settings, automatic metadata sharing, or simple carelessness. Awareness measures and technical controls are then updated to prevent recurrence.
"The key point is that fast containment in the first minutes and hours can significantly reduce damage," Alawadi said.
Amid the developing situation in the region, he urged the public to exercise heightened caution and follow clear guidelines.
"Do not film or post anything that could show the interception location, its direction, its timing, or identifiable nearby sites. Do not post rooftop or street videos, since the background includes distinctive landmarks. Do not spread rumours and do not repost content that is not from official sources."
If footage appears important, it should be shared only with relevant authorities through official channels, he added.
In a recent advisory, the UAE State Security Department urged residents to report security observations and concerns through its official platforms, including its hotline (8006600), website, or the SSD UAE mobile application.
While documenting events may feel like a civic responsibility, the expert reiterated that online content can quickly shift from public awareness to operational intelligence.
"Remember that your intent may be documentation or awareness, but an adversary will treat it as operational data that helps them plan, adapt, and improve," Alawadi said.
