Hello to those reading, my name is Carlos and I’m currently a Junior at Old Dominion University pursuing a double major in criminal justice and cybercrime. I chose this field of study because I enjoy the style of work that an investigative job brings, and I wanted to involve myself in the modern era of cybersecurity. I chose to take this cybersecurity course to make myself better aware of what working in a digital environment entails, and learn how much of an influence cybersecurity has on society.
A collection of a few of my personally written academic excerpts:
#1: Write-Up
BLUF
In allocating a limited budget for cybersecurity, I believe the primary focus should be on addressing immediate vulnerabilities and establishing long-term resilience. Prioritizing resources involves this strategic balance between investing in sufficient technological solutions for immediate fortification and allocating a significant portion for ongoing training. While immediate technology upgrades are important for patching critical gaps in security, investing in continuous education for the team is equally as important. As for long-term benefits, I’d say they lie in an educated workforce capable of identifying threats and implementing best practices, which would help support alongside the protection offered by cybersecurity technology. Regular reassessment of resource allocation ensures adaptability to evolving threats and organizational needs, creating a more resilient and dynamic cybersecurity framework.
Resource allocation:
I would first assess the current cybersecurity’s status and identify any immediate vulnerabilities should be addressed first. If there are critical gaps in the security infrastructure, allocating a portion of the budget towards necessary technological solutions would certainly be a decision I’d follow through with. This might involve having to patch software, updating firewalls, or investing in antivirus software to help mitigate immediate risks. I would also point the focus and resources towards education and training with a significant portion of the budget towards training the staff. Well trained employees are often the first line of defense against cyber threats. They can identify phishing attempts, suspicious activities, and follow best practices to mitigate risks, where such risks could include email-based threats (Bhattacharya, 2023). This training would be best if it persists and is an ongoing investment, as regular training and education sessions would help keep my team updated on the latest threats and best practices. Allocating a smaller portion of the budget for testing and evaluation would be a great decision too. Regularly assessing the current security measures, whether through hiring ethical hackers for penetration testing or conducting our security audits (Bhattacharya, 2023), helps identify weaknesses and areas for improvement.
Conclusion:
Finding this right balance between technology and training is key for me helping ensure success. While technological solutions provide immediate protection, trained personnel act as a flexible and adaptive layer against ever-evolving threats. Investing in both ensures a more rounded and effective cybersecurity strategy.
References
Bhattacharya, A. (2023, May 22). Cybersecurity priorities for Cisos in 2023. ITSecurityWire. https://itsecuritywire.com/featured/cybersecurity-priorities-for-cisos/
#2: Module Reflection
Module Reflection 4 Law & Social Control
The idea of treating crime, especially gun violence, as a “disease” and reforming the criminal justice system to operate more like public health has gained attention as an alternative approach to addressing these complex issues. However, whether this is attainable or desirable is a matter of debate, and it involves considering the similarities and differences between crime and illness in terms of targeted interventions. A distinction between how the criminal justice system and how publics health’s approach is that public health emphasizes prevention rather than solely punitive measures. This approach can also be applicable to criminal behavior, addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty, lack of education, and limited access to mental health services, reducing the likelihood of criminal behavior. It’s possible that criminals influenced by these factors can also be viewed through Parson’s sick role, being exempted from their behavior since the situation they find themselves in is seen as being conditioned by environment they’re in (Chriss, 2022, p.73). However, one could argue that the offender made these individual choices rather than them being out of their control, which is the case for sick individuals.
Similarly, public health models look at the broader societal factors that contribute to crime, promoting solutions that encompass many factors, factors such as economic, educational, and healthcare improvements, which can result in more effective, long-term crime reduction. Taking this medical approach, treating individuals involved in the criminal justice system as patients rather than simply as offenders can lead to rehabilitation, addressing underlying issues that may contribute to criminal behavior and reducing recidivism.
There are ways in which this approach may not be attainable or desirable, however. While addressing the root causes of crime is important, not all crimes are directly comparable to diseases. Some crimes, especially violent ones, may be committed by individuals with complex motives, making a direct comparison to treating an illness challenging with this “exclusion of evil” approach (Chriss, 2022, p. 92). Furthermore, comparing crime to a disease may stigmatize those suffering from mental illnesses, as they are not inherently prone to criminal behavior. With the criminal justice system serving an important role in holding individuals legally and morally accountable for their actions, a public health approach might be perceived as lessening the consequences for criminal behavior, potentially leading to concerns about justice and fairness. Additionally, undergoing the process of shifting the focus from traditional law enforcement to public health may require significant resource reallocation. There may be resistance to diverting resources from law enforcement, which is seen as necessary for maintaining public safety.
Similarities between crime and illness in terms of targeted interventions include the recognition that both can have underlying determinants (whether it be social, economic, or environmental) that need to be addressed to prevent recurrence. Early intervention and prevention are also emphasized in both approaches. As for differences, this could include the fact that criminal behavior often involves individual choices, while illnesses are generally seen as conditions beyond one’s control, as described by Parsons’ sick role (Chriss, 2022, p. 73).
As a result, interventions for crime may include punitive measures, while health interventions are typically more focused on rehabilitation and support. In conclusion, the idea of treating crime as a “disease” within a public health framework is a concept that has its qualities but also faces challenges. Whether it is attainable and desirable depends on the specific context, cultural factors, and the nature of the crimes in question. Balancing this accountability and prevention certainly leaves the argument open for both sides.
References
Chriss, J. J. (2022). Social Control: An introduction (3rd ed.). Polity Press.
#3: Module Reflection
Module Reflection 3 Law & Social Control
I can certainly see instances in my life and the lives of others where the act of preforming shows itself. It can especially be seen if looking through Goffman’s perspective at that interactional level of our lives, I would argue that most if not always there if some sort of performance being played between all individuals and groups. Some of these front stages in my own life would undoubtably be my behavior around authority figures such as my parents and teachers, versus that of friends or similar aged peers. Now following this theory of everything being a performance, this could imply that people are not grounded in any one universal style of character and behavioral traits. When it comes down to it however, I believe that we all are rooted in our own individual type of personality, and that beyond those actions that would be considered a performance, there is a unique composition of character from which we all pull our acts from. And this which is considered an “authentic” behavioral and interactional character composition is often displayed in the backstage of our lives (Chriss, 2022, pg. 65). However regardless of this, yes I do believe there are aspects of our lives that involve our performing side, and this can especially be seen when it comes to the various roles we fill in our lives. Whether it be how someone acts in a work environment, to that of a gathering with close friends, different scenarios call for different approaches towards how one decides to display their own behavior to those around them. As a result, it would make sense that the acts we perform aren’t consistent across the board, rather we chose different approaches based on the given role and scenario we find ourselves in to achieve a desirable “front stage performance”, in other words we make adjustments to optimally fit in socially, which is where Erving Goffman’s theory presents itself as a form of social control (Holder, 2023) It’s with these social and situation pressures that our performance is swayed, such as how one may want to surpass their parents and make them proud, conforming to their expectations. This same controlled behavior can be seen across other social areas too, whether it be a job where there is a norm surrounding the work environment, to the norms for behavior around friends, it encompasses this idea of impression management (Chriss, 2022, p. 65). So, our performance is certainly affected by that around us since we often desire for our performances to appeal to the given circumstance and those involved.
References
Chriss, J. J. (2022). Social Control: An introduction (3rd ed.). Polity Press. Holder, E. (2023). Module 3 Lecture