Cybersecurity is a subject that is best examined and understood through an interdisciplinary lens. To only focus on networks, firewalls, packets, etc. is to miss out on the sweeping impact the topic has to offer. If one was to look thoroughly enough they could probably draw a connection to any field of study. For example, Old Dominion University offers a range of majors that intersect with cybersecurity such as Computer Science, Psychology, Philosophy, and Criminal Justice.
To start cybersecurity could not exist without Computer Science. Cybersecurity is often viewed as being a subfield of Computer Science. Cybersecurity is focused on protecting the networks and systems created through Computer Science. Computer Science is the combination of math, engineering, design, programming, and logic to create digital assets. It has created the digital world we live in today. Computer Science means a person can pull out their phone or laptop and within minutes purchase an item with a credit card, pay their taxes, or access their bank account without ever entering a physical location. This means vital personal information is being sent across the internet, and must be done so safely. This is why Cybersecurity grew into its own field from Computer Science.
The study of Psychology helps us understood the human level impact of Cybersecurity. Many cybercrimes prey and rely on an unsuspecting user making a mistake or unknowing stepping into a trap. Consider one of the oldest running scams of the Nigerian Prince email. In this scam the victim receives an email from someone claiming to be a foreign royal, or some other position of power, requesting help in transferring a large amount of money. Then they would ask for the victim to send their own banking information to cover transfer fees or taxes, or some other excuse, with a promise to repay the victim some of the fortune once the transfer is complete. Then the victim’s bank account would be drained. Many other attacks and scams rely on tricking someone into downloading a file or clicking a link which contains hidden malware. Psychology, the study of the the mind, can help explain why people trust and believe these scams.
Philosophy, and its subfield of ethics, can help navigate the moral questions that arise within Cybersecurity. Consider one of the more publicized cyber attacks that was the Equifax breach, where the breach was discovered internally nearly a month before it was made public. During this month activities many would consider insider trading occurred by the companies’ executives. Hypothetically, if you work cybersecurity in a company in a similar situation, should your loyalty be with your employers or the customers? Should you leak the breach so the customers can keep an eye of their accounts and personal information? Should you follow the orders of the executives, knowing they have something to gain by delaying the announcement of the breach? Philosophy can help someone reach an answer to these questions. In fact, the Cybersecurity program at ODU requires credits in Philosophy and Ethics.
Finally there is criminal justice. Many of the forms of cyber attacks can be in violation of the law. Acts such as fraud, identity theft, hacking, extortion, blackmail, etc. are all illegal activities. Criminal Justice looks at how these crimes should be handled, investigated, prevented, and punished. Cybersecurity can help limit or undo the damage done of these crimes. The two fields can work together to bring the criminal behind the screen to justice. This relationship has led to the fields of cybercrime and digital forensics to combine the strengths of both fields in the name of justice.
The computer revolution has woven computer systems into the very fabric of our society, and where there are computer systems there is a need for cybersecurity. This means that cybersecurity is another thread in the tapestry of our lives. In an academic setting this means to truly appreciate and understand the field of cybersecurity is to understand the many areas of study that cross paths with the subject.
Sources:
Aarp. “What You Need to Know about Nigerian Prince Scams.” AARP, 15 Dec. 2023, www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/nigerian.html.
“Equifax Data Breach FAQ: What Happened, Who Was Affected, What Was the Impact?” CSO Online, 12 Feb. 2020, www.csoonline.com/article/567833/equifax-data-breach-faq-what-happened-who-was-affected-what-was-the-impact.html.
“Programs.” Old Dominion University, www.odu.edu/academics/programs.