Strategizing Cyber-Security

Risk Group Founder,  Jayshree Pandya Ph.D  discusses “Strategizing Cyber-Security in a Digital Global Age” with Jim Jaeger, Chief Cyber-Security Strategist at Fidelis Cyber-Security on Risk Roundup. Introduction The power of the computer code, connected computers, internet and related innovations in information, communication and digitalization technologies has triggered massive advances in ideas and innovations that have over the years re-invented or are in the process of re-inventing entire nations: its government, industries, organizations and academia (NGIOA): its industries, sectors, governance models, business models, products, services and more. While these developments created new opportunities, it also created new risks, and none is greater than cyber-security risk. The cyber-security risks today, present an increasingly complex set of security challenges for each and every entity across each and every NGIOA as today’s cyberattacks include, but are not limited to, stealing intellectual property, disrupting critical infrastructure in cyberspace and geospace, seizing digital identity, compromising online bank accounts, creating and distributing viruses and malwares, stealing and posting confidential information, and encrypting systems to demand financial payoff. These growing web of cyber-attacks are complex, criminally or politically motivated, and are planned and executed masterfully by very persistent, skilled, and well-funded individuals, groups and organizations. Amidst this complex cyber-security challenges, how can any nation achieve cyber-security and secure cyberspace? How can any NGIOA strategize cyber-security? Cyberspace: Leveled Playing Field? It seems that there is an overwhelming and possibly long-lasting shift in the relative balance of power within, between and across NGIOA—as the connected computers, information technology and digitalization capability of information that are revolutionizing every aspect of society, have leveled the playing field and brought each NGIOA an unprecedented possibility of progress. It remains to be seen whether in the “leveled” playing field: each and every government, industries, organizations and academia across nations (NGIOA) will be able to compete and lay a new foundation for lasting prosperity. In cyberspace, what is common to all is access to technology and information. But what is not common is how one uses that information—for what purpose and goals in cyberspace-geospace and space (CGS). While computer code, connected computers and internet has given nations the same starting point in access to technology and information, there are many other variables that determine whether a nation will be able to use the information to develop, progress, and succeed. The revolution in computer code, connected computers, internet, information, communication and digitalization technologies, and its associated processes is rapidly altering everything– from how we communicate, make friends, to how we work, bank, shop and go to war. The emergence of this whole new world of cyberspace has given nations: its governments, industries, organizations, academia and individuals (NGIOA-I) great promise as well as great peril and will offer each nation as many opportunities as it does challenges. Cyberspace has brought each NGIOA to a juncture of revival and reformation or inexorable decline as nations that have been built on exploitation are expected to fail in cyberspace, taking an entire corrupt system down. So the question is, what can each nation do independently and collectively to improve its competitive and innovative position in the world, thereby tipping the scale of cyberspace in its favor?