cyber Adventura

Last summer I bumped into an old friend from school. An accomplished law graduate from one of the Ivy League Universities , he was working on a task force from a Government organisation regulating cybersecurity. I was a bit baffled and asked him if his non technical background could be limiting factor in understanding the many nuances of cybersecurity. But that wasn’t the case , he assured me , finally it’s all about logical thinking and willingness to learn.

Since then, I met a corporate trainer turned Security Awareness professional, an ex bar stewardess turned security engineer, a school drop out turned bug bounty hunter, a 50 + operations professional turned ethical hacker, ex servicewoman turned Security Operations Center lead and not to mention scores of young professionals cutting their teeth into the cybersecurity profession in some capacity or the other. And the list goes on !!

Traditionally Cybersecurity as a subject, has always been a technical subfield of computer science. But as technology increasingly plays an important role in aspect of our lives , cybersecurity becomes all pervasive. Once a new technology is being developed, the hardware and software security experts are required to make the product secure but when it comes to our use, there is a need for awareness, need to regulate, need to understand the economic consequences, but it also brings in geopolitical dimension to it. Seems like everyone brings their own flavour to the discipline of cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity is thus evolving as a multidisciplinary field because it encompasses and integrates various fields of knowledge and requires expertise in multiple areas to effectively address the challenges and complexities of securing digital systems, networks, and data. It requires collaboration and insights from different domains to develop comprehensive solutions.

The Traditional ones

Computer science and engineering provide the foundational knowledge and technical expertise needed to understand the inner workings of computer systems, networks, and software. This discipline contributes to areas such as secure coding practices, hardware security, network security, encryption algorithms, and vulnerability analysis.

Mathematics plays a crucial role in developing and analysing secure cryptographic algorithms and protocols. Mathematical principles such as number theory, discrete mathematics, and probability theory are employed to create robust encryption methods and to assess the strength of cryptographic systems.

In the future, STEM (Science, Tech, Economics and Maths) is going to play a significant role in Cybersecurity discipline as different industries converge and collaborate with each other.Data Science will continue be one of the key influences in cybersecurity as Artificial intelligence powered by machine learning and data science will keep the attackers at bay.

Non Traditional

Law follows technology. Legal and policy considerations are essential in addressing cybersecurity challenges. Laws, regulations, and compliance requirements shape cybersecurity practices and define the responsibilities and liabilities of individuals and organizations. Legal experts and policymakers contribute to areas such as privacy protection, data breach notification laws, cybercrime legislation, and international cooperation on cybersecurity.

Understanding human behavior, cognition, and decision-making processes is crucial in designing effective cybersecurity measures. Human factors experts contribute to areas such as user awareness and education, social engineering prevention, and the development of user-friendly security interfaces. They study how people interact with technology and identify potential vulnerabilities arising from human actions or errors.

Cybersecurity is not just a technical issue; it is also a business concern. Risk management experts evaluate cybersecurity risks, develop risk mitigation strategies, and help organizations make informed decisions about resource allocation and investment in cybersecurity measures. They assess the potential impact of cyber threats on business operations and work towards integrating cybersecurity into overall business strategies. Insurance sector is being heavily influenced by cybersecurity by building products on cyberinsurance as companies are keen to hedge themselves against potential cyberattacks.

The study of societal dynamics, social interactions, and ethical considerations is relevant to understanding cybersecurity from a broader perspective. Sociologists analyze the social and cultural factors that influence cyber threats and behaviors. Ethical considerations guide the development and deployment of cybersecurity measures, ensuring that they respect individual privacy, promote fairness, and align with societal values.

Effective communication and public relations are vital in managing cybersecurity incidents, raising awareness, and educating users. Professionals in this field help develop communication strategies to convey cybersecurity risks, best practices, and incident response procedures to both technical and non-technical audiences. Journalism plays a major role in articulating and raising awareness about cybersecurity as well using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) for investigative stories.

The emergence of cyber diplomacy as a specialized field within international relations reflects the growing recognition of cybersecurity’s impact on global affairs. Cyber diplomats engage in negotiations, mediations, and dialogues to address cyber threats, build trust, and shape international norms and agreements in cyberspace.

Cybersecurity will continue to evolve and will keep encompassing different disciplines and will keep enriching different realms. In the future we will see medical science including genetics, space and many other areas which were siloed and specialised connected to the cybersecurity realm. And as we start binge watching on another series of Black Mirror , we can feel the impact of all pervasive nature of cybersecurity.