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

When approaching the development of new cyber-policies, flexibility and thinking about long-term effects should be the main factors when implementing them. Given that the “short arm” of predictive knowledge hinders the ability to be able to account for every possible situation, having cyber policies that are broad and can apply to several technological areas can help with accounting for many possibilities. This allows them to alter as unforeseen outcomes may come into view and policies can be changed to account for them. It’s also necessary to have a philosophical perspective when approaching the possible long-term ramifications of technologies and guidelines. The question of if a cyber-policy could have larger negative ramifications in the future is critical to how the shape of cyber-policy should take form. It can inform us of the choices we make and if they’re the right ones to make.

Regarding infrastructure, adaptation is key to a brighter and more secure future. Adaptable rules can help with the limitless outcomes that could happen in the future. It can work by laying a foundation that can be changed as time progresses and events occur that call for them to be made. Multiple strategies for addressing problems can also be beneficial in addressing the development of infrastructure for the possibility of better options. Furthermore, it also applies to the cybersecurity aspect of infrastructure, for example, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. It provides a broad but standard basis of security for organizations and forms of infrastructure that could be altered if it doesn’t account for certain cybersecurity issues. In summary, open-ended and long-term thinking are effective strategies for the development of cyber-policies and infrastructure through accounting for general and specific outcomes in the present and future.