What Is Cybersecurity For?

Cybersecurity is a critical challenge of our time, requiring a political dimension to understand its complexities and provide security to users, societies, states, and the international system. This book makes the case for understanding it as a technical project and a crucial political one that links competing visions of what cybersecurity is for.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 158 pages
Publication date: 28 March 2023
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Cybersecurity is a critical and complex issue that poses significant challenges for modern societies. It is essential to their survival and prosperity, yet public understanding of it remains limited. Media portrayals of hackers accessing the Pentagon often fail to convey its complexity and significance to everyday life. This book aims to bridge this gap by highlighting the political dimension of cybersecurity, which is often overlooked. It provides an accessible explanation of global information systems, the challenges of securing users, societies, states, and the international system, and the diverse range of players and ambitions involved. By presenting cybersecurity as a crucial political issue that connects different visions of its purpose, the book addresses the ultimate question: how can we improve our cybersecurity efforts?

The book begins by exploring the origins and evolution of cybersecurity, including the rise of the internet, the development of computer networks, and the emergence of cyber threats. It then delves into the technical aspects of cybersecurity, such as encryption, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems. However, the book goes beyond these technical details and emphasizes the political dimensions of cybersecurity.

One of the key themes of the book is the role of governments in ensuring cybersecurity. It argues that governments must play a proactive role in developing and implementing cybersecurity policies and regulations, as well as investing in research and development to improve their capabilities. The book also highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating cyber threats, as cyberattacks can cross national borders and affect multiple countries.

Another theme of the book is the impact of cybersecurity on individual privacy and freedom. It argues that the increasing reliance on digital technologies has raised concerns about the collection and use of personal data. The book explores the challenges of protecting personal information from unauthorized access, misuse, and surveillance. It also examines the role of privacy policies and regulations in ensuring individual rights and freedoms.

The book also discusses the challenges of providing cybersecurity to critical infrastructure, such as power grids, transportation systems, and financial institutions. It highlights the need for robust security measures to protect these systems from cyberattacks that could have significant consequences for public safety and economic stability.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the political dimensions of cybersecurity. It highlights the importance of understanding cybersecurity not only as a technical project but also as a crucial political issue that connects competing visions of what cybersecurity is for. By presenting a range of perspectives and solutions, the book aims to help readers develop a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with cybersecurity and contribute to improving our collective cybersecurity efforts.

Weight: 168g
Dimension: 203 x 128 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529226959