Maxwell Ferrier
October 11, 2020
CYSE 200T
Computers are a wonderful thing that can harm us in many ways. This oxymoron is cheesy yet true, as we have seen all too well in recent years. Computers have made the world oddly safer in some ways, and less safe in others.
Computers have truly made the world safer in many ways. Educational institutions are able to use computer technology in their physical security systems as well as their network security systems keeping staff, students, friends, and family more secure digitally and physically. Police are able to use computers to communicate with other police or dispatch workers more efficiently and with greater flexibility allowing their data to be available and accurate. Parental controls are another example of increasing safety in the world. This time in the world of children– preventing them from accessing harmful websites or content. Hospitals also utilize computers daily in order to keep us safe. Without the medical equipment driven by technology today the miracle like procedures and prescription drugs we have available would be simply non-existent.
On the flip side of things, computers have made the world a less safe place in numerous ways. Fraud, identity theft, and malware attacks are some of the criminal acts that come to mind first and foremost that all cause devastation to the victim for obvious reasons. Cyberbullying is another way that computers unfortunately have turned the world a dangerous place, as this is a serious issue and has cost children and young adults their lives. Data breaches also pose an enormous threat to those involved, especially those of a company with millions of user accounts associated (Amazon).
Engineers do in fact make cyber networks safe. Engineers are the ones who implement the policies and procedures in place that allow for critical components to be executed. Without engineers and their communication with the stakeholder, the backbone of the cyber network is lost and components will fail.