The Short-arm of Predictive Knowledge

The nature of cyber security is evolving swiftly. The cyber world’s short arm of predictability does not lend to long-term planning and development of future policies and systems that we can rest on. The use of methodologies such as those set forth in the NIST provide a comprehensive approach to developing a cyber policy and infrastructure. These guidelines, although very important, are primarily a template for what our government or an organization should be doing to protect private information. With the rapidly changing landscape of cyber security, governments, businesses, and individuals must become diligent in their approach to securing their data. It is incumbent on our leaders to secure our infrastructure so as to keep citizens safe from cyber attacks on water systems, energy supplies, food chains, and other vital resources. While most people understand the vital role cyber security plays on an international level as well as a domestic level, few have the means to develop systems that will accomplish this task much less the ability to predict what will be needed for such security in the near or far future. Just as we have limited power over the long arm of predictability, our control over the short arm of predictive knowledge is even more constrained due to the unpredictability of the cyber world.  Our best policy to remain in control and ahead of those wishing to cause cyber harm, is to remain fluid in our thinking and in the development of policies. Our best hope is to encourage education and bring bright individuals into this field of study so as to continue to battle intruders and attackers. Not only is our struggle to keep our systems safe, we also are on the brink of true technological ethical challenge that must be addressed. By employing individuals with talent, vision, and instincts to foresee where the future of technology is leading us, we will be able to guide our leaders, organizations, and individuals to to the most innovative cyber security methodologies and processes for the future. Just as we struggle to manage the long-term ethics of the cyber world, as noted in the reading by Jonas, our ability to manage and predict the future of cyber security remains a struggle.

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