Cybersecurity Ethics

Reflective Writing Assignment

Reflecting on the readings, course material, and case analyses I wrote over the semester there were three key topics that stand out as beneficial for my understanding and preparation for my future career as a Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer (MCWO) in the Navy. These discussions not only changed my perspectives but also gave me better insights into the complexness of cybersecurity and information warfare.

1. The Justification of Cyberwarfare

Originally, my approach to cyberwarfare was looked at in a strategic and tactical perspective focusing on effectiveness and defense. The case analysis involving the ethics of cyberwarfare broadened my understanding to include ethical considerations. I thought more about the moral parts of cyber actions and their impacts on both national and global scales, really making me think of the importance of ethical justification in cyber operations.

The critical takeaway to think about when I commission into the Navy is the importance of integrating ethical considerations into cyber warfare strategies. This will involve me thinking about the moral side of cyber operations to make sure they don’t just achieve strategic objectives but that my team and I also take into account the broader ethical standards that respect human rights and international norms. This class has guided me more in making decisions that uphold integrity and accountability in cyber ops.

2. Role of Social Media in Information Warfare

My 7.4 analysis of Facebook’s involvement in the 2016 election really opened my eyes to the significant role of social media in modern information warfare. Before class I viewed social media as mainly just communication tools, but now I recognize them as weapons in psychological and information operations. The readings gave me an understanding on how social media could be manipulated to influence public opinion and political processes.

A major takeaway for me is the importance of defensive strategies against information warfare that use social media platforms. In my future naval career, I will try to prioritize the implementation of measures to protect against and counteract social media manipulation. This will involve both technological defenses and strategic communication to make sure the integrity of information disclosed to the public and in the military.

3. Complexity of Cybersecurity in Networked Environments

Another thing is cybernetics and the interconnected nature of modern warfare systems seen in the complexness of cybersecurity past individual systems to entire networked environments. This was evident in the case analysis with systemic vulnerabilities exploited in cyber attacks.

The understanding that cybersecurity must be approached from a systemic perspective leads me to my takeaway that I must advocate for security practices that talk about interconnected systems. It also means pushing for ongoing education and training to adapt to emerging technologies and threats to national security.

Looking back at this course shows a significant evolution in my understanding and approach to cyber warfare and security since the beginning of the semester. As I move toward my career as a Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer the knowledge I got from this course will be important in shaping naval strategies that are not only effective but also ethically sound and secure. These takeaways will be some of my principles to contribute to national security.