Position paper II: Cyber security

The introduction of the twenty-first century has led into a digital age. Now in 2019, much of daily life revolves around electronics and access to the Internet. These technological advances have made

life easier. Most of the world has access to acquitted healthcare and resources, calculations can be more precise thanks to computer processing, files can be stored quicker and on larger scale without taking up much space, and the implications that technology and the Internet provides endless possibilities for the future. While these technological advances have proved to be highly beneficial in numerous ways, there is another side to the story; nothing is perfect. While a lot of good comes from

these advances, people have used their knowledge of computer science for criminal activity. People take on the identity of "hacker" and use their knowledge to steal others identities, credit card information, private information, or perform a variety of criminal misconduct. Because the Internet and computer science is a relatively new concept, the implications of how far these hackers can go is just as limitless as how advances rooted in Internet capabilities for human benefit. 

Jackson County Georgia can tell first hand how detriments of a breech in cyber security can effect even an entire community. The hackers attacked several computer systems that resulted in the local government being blindsided to the point of near shut down. The event did reveal to them the lack of cyber security they had in place; essentially they were inviting a clever hacker to take advantage. The county did not have a backup system in place; they were at the mercy of the hackers. Their two choices were either to shut down completely and pour countless hours and dollars into revamping their system (which there was no certain time frame for how long that could take) or cut their loses and give the hackers the $400,000 they were asking for. The government took the latter option because they were unsure how long it would take, and they already learned first hand how heavily they leaned on their computers. Jackson County Sheriff, Janis Mangum, was quoted saying, "arrest bookings and reports are done the old-fashioned way when there were no computers which slowed operations drastically." Computer access has made filing more efficient for places of business like government offices, but this also creates prime opportunity for information to be taken more than ever before. Just as easy as it is to log and record information with the help of computers, it is just as easy to hack and steal that information.  

Jackson county is only a small reflection of how the United States is rapidly evolving to a digital based lifestyle. America and its consumer, capitalist way of life from materialistic level to a digital level. Americans are consumed with electronics and all the services they provide. This is causing a direct correlation, however, to the rise in security breeches not only across America but also around the world. According to an article published by Bleeping Computer, "The number of confirmed data breaches during 2018 reached 12,449, a 424% increase when compared with 2017." This is an abrupt jump in such a short time especially in comparison to just the year before. Usually, things like this take time to develop, but the issue of cyber security is such a growing problem that the rate at which peoples' private information is being breached is astounding. 

“While on the whole United Stated data breaches haven't been as numerous as the ones from other countries, the size of the breaches contributed heavily to the large number of identity records being exposed throughout the year as part of US incidents, roughly 32% of the total number of curated records detected in such incidents around the world.” (Llascu).

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/12-449-data-breaches-confirmed-in-2018-a-424-percent-increase-over-the-previous-year/#.XIHg3TY-_ZA.facebook

It is obvious that even though computer science and technologies are advancing, the cyber security needed to go along with that is not. The population as a whole is jumping on each technology bandwagon without thinking about the consequences. Ten to fifteen years ago, very few people were trusting enough to go through with online banking; they only trusted to have it done in person and hard copy. Now, vital banking information is logged in on smartphones and can be accessed anytime anywhere so long as there is an Internet connection. This does make it easier to access money and information, however, this and the lack of cyber security is what leads to many Americans being robbed left and right. 

The attacks in cyber security has not gone unnoticed. Efforts to combat this issue have come in the way of Artificial Intelligence or AI. AI programs are being created decrease the risks of theft and create a more secure network for people. According to veteran security banker, John Omernik, "Most AI solutions are typically solving a problem better than humans." With the fact being that AI is a far ore reliable and effective solution to solving security issues than people, then it stands to reason that this is an ideal solution to cyber security problems. However, some argue that this is not the case. Rob Westervelt, research director of International Data Corp compared the issue of using AI to solve breaches in cyber security to a game of cat and mouse. He said this because the same technology people are using to combat these hackers, the hackers are able to use to defend themselves. "The cat-and-mouse game will continue because attackers will be able to use tools to evade defenses." The same way Internet access and computer science can be used both ways, so can the knowledge behind AI. AI technology may be the latest first line of defense, but hackers can start using their own weapon against them and use it their advantage. 

As stated earlier, the reason for the increase in criminal activity in cyber security is due to the increase in computer capabilities. It is only expected that just as positive applications are taking place in the use of the Internet and computers, negative applications are soon to follow. 

“2018 also saw an important 71% jump in underground activity, with 14.9 billion raw identity stolen records being circulated and exchanging hands” (article). It is my personal opinion that cyber security and the steps needed to take to ensure that are not in align with the rate at which computer science is increasing. Too much emphasis is placed on upgrading instead of securing what is already in place before moving on. Until focus in put on securing private information that people place on the Internet, hackers and breaches in cyber security will only continue to increase with far more detrimental consequences.