How should we approach the development of cyber-policy and -infrastructure given the “short arm” of predictive knowledge?

Cyber policies are extremely important as it regulates and sets the standard of behavior for activities on the internet. Cyber attacks are continuously on the rise and the inevitability of falling victim to a cyber attack should prompt businesses and organizations to review the current policies and security infrastructures they have in place. Other than preparing for a cyber-attack by having insurance, setting up security programs, and analyzing risk assessments, it is impossible to create long-term policies because technology is always changing. New advancements in technology are always occurring, making it harder for businesses to stick with one type of cyber policy or one type of infrastructure. The current measures businesses have are not necessarily guaranteed to work months or years from now. In other words, what may work today may not work tomorrow. Although companies are able to predict when or what type of an attack will occur in the future, attacks themselves are unpredictable. Given the “short arm” of predictive knowledge, businesses should base their cyber-policy and infrastructure on up-to-date technology. Businesses should have the latest software and technology equipment to ensure that their networks are not lacking in any way internally. Businesses should also educate their employees on their cyber-policies currently in place. This ensures that workers know how to operate their security systems and how to properly handle security breaches and future malfunctions. According to Hans Jonas, the “short arm” of predictive knowledge is just the same as the “long-arm” of predictive knowledge since the human good is always the same. However, because of modern technology, this has all collectively changed. In order to overcome the setbacks placed by predictive knowledge, businesses must enhance their cyber policies and infrastructures to further improve the way we utilize technology. The obstacles surrounding the “short arm” of predictive knowledge are difficult to overcome, but not impossible.

Reference:

Jonas, H. (2014). Technology and Responsibility: Reflections on the New Tasks of Ethics. Ethics and Emerging Technologies, 37-39.