Institutional and technological challenges in strategic military security processes in Ecuador: an analysis from the perspective of public procurement and physical risk management

Abstract

This article analyzes the main institutional and technological challenges facing strategic military security in Ecuador, particularly in the areas of special public procurement and the use of technologies applied to the protection of defense facilities. Through a qualitative and documentary approach, based on current regulations and academic literature, legal loopholes, operational limitations, and technological barriers that affect the efficiency and transparency of these processes are identified. It highlights digital vulnerability in telematic procurement, limited cooperation between universities and the defense sector, and dependence on foreign technologies as critical elements. The research also highlights the necessary transformation in military intelligence in the face of transnational threats, organized crime, and hybrid risks. In addition, it raises the urgency of implementing technological governance frameworks and robust cybersecurity policies. The study highlights the importance of integrating new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to improve strategic decision-making, and proposes a comprehensive approach to risk management that encompasses physical and informational protection. It also emphasizes the need to strengthen transparency and accountability in military procurement, preventing confidentiality from leading to opacity or corruption. Finally, it advocates for the continuous training of military personnel, coordination with academia, and an institutional culture based on public ethics. The article concludes that sustainable strategic security requires innovation, intersectoral cooperation, and a comprehensive vision of national defense adapted to the challenges of the 21st century.