From this week’s Jonas Reading: How should we approach the development of cyber-policy and infrastructure given the “short arm” of predictive knowledge?

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The short arm of predictive knowledge refers to being unable to foresee future incidents, thus it’s implied that remaining focused on current matters is wiser and more beneficial. In regards to cyber-policy and infrastructure, the short arm of predictive knowledge requires that companies remain updated about the status and happenings of their cybersecurity departments in real time. More effective policies and infrastructure models can be implemented with current information, rather than attempting to predict certain events that may take place in the future. Due to this, companies should require continuous feedback from their employees in order to create adaptive policies that address current issues and can adjust accordingly to better handle the type of scenario at hand. Furthermore, it’s important that these adaptive policies remain lenient so they don’t quickly become outdated; an emphasis on individual rights should be considered, as privacy concerns and ethical dilemmas may arise. Additionally, an adaptive approach should also be taken in regards to cyber infrastructure models. Being able to build a framework around newfound vulnerabilities as well as learning from previous threats can allow for companies to implement effective defense measures to counter incoming cyber attacks. By centering the development of cyber policy and infrastructure models around the short arm of predictive knowledge, companies can strengthen their current security foundations and introduce more adaptive defensive measures.