In this century, it is hard to grasp even the simplest of tasks without the help of our cell phones, laptops, and touch-pads. We live in a generation where the internet and the online world are of vital importance.
However with the use of the internet, comes other factors which our society, and the world as a whole need to address. These issues include cybersecurity and cyberwar.
In an attempt to address and enlighten Stevens’ faculty and staff on this area, cybersecurity expert Peter Singer, was invited to Stevens on February 12, as part of the Deans’ Seminar Series.
Peter Singer works at the Brookings Institution in the security and intelligence department. He is also a consultant for the Pentagon and the CIA.
His new book, Cybersecurity and Cyberwar: What Everyone Needs to Know, tries to address problems facing the internet today.
His language in the book as John Horgan describes it, is clear, and not bombarded with “technical jargon”, thus making it a good read for those not in the technical field.
Singer begins his talk with describing the first time he saw a computer at the age of seven. He explains how much the internet has grown since then throwing statistics such as “every year four hundred trillion emails are sent” and that “there are currently thirty trillion webpages” in order to excite his audience.
He then speaks of a survey conducted on Americans which reveal that Americans are more afraid of a cyber-attack than they are of a nuclear attack or of global warming.
The problem with cybersecurity Singer says is that people understand it less and less. “There are gaps with people of great responsibility” he explains stating that business executives make cybersecurity management decisions without having any background on it. Cybersecurity is not taught in journalism, law, or business schools.
The misconception that people have, Singer continues, is that programming and cybersecurity should be left to the “IT crowd, the IT workers.”
Those not in the technical field, do not attempt to understand or get a background on cybersecurity. At the same time, those who are in the field don’t understand what Singer calls “wetware”, the human side of the internet.
They don’t understand the ripple effect the internet can cause. The internet can influence economics, politics, and social norms.
Singer then moves on to state that there overblown threats in cybersecurity and real threats that are currently being downplayed.
“We are being taken advantage of,” Singer claims explaining that there are currently over 33,000 articles written on cyber-terrorism and zero people have been hurt directly due to a “cyber-attack.”
He however does not deny that there is potential for cyber-terrorism in the future. Currently he explains that “Al Qaida would like to but can’t. China could, but doesn’t want to” use cyber-terrorism.
To humor the audience he states that “squirrels have taken out more power grids that cyber-attacks have.”
What Singer sees as a real concern which many people don’t realize is the trust that people are losing. People don’t trust the internet as much as they use to.
The trust people had for the internet is exactly what allowed it to grow and succeed. Today that trust “is in danger” he states. So what can we do to solve the problem?
“First we need to demystify the internet” he states. More people need to be given backgrounds on cybersecurity.
We cannot leave that field “to the nerds” and instead should all take basic steps for cyber hygiene.
We need to understand it is not the machines, the software, or “the internet” that’s bad, but the people behind it. “We need to accept and manage the risk of the online world and the real world because it has great potential” he concluded. Singer answered questions and used analogies to explain to his viewers in a comprehensive manner.
Instead of explaining technical terms, methods, or speak in 0s and 1s, he tried to relate to his audience. He drew references to Mark Twain, Benjamin Franklin, Beverley Hills, and even Tom Cruise. He also had a power point presentation filled with pictures in order to further engage his listeners.
By presenting his novel in a way that can address a wide audience, he has proven that the issue of cybersecurity is not one better left “to the nerds.”
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