Cyber-Security Hazards in Society

Cyber-security hazards in society are viewed in the context of tensions, disasters, and development opportunities. The tension is essentially that between the physical and spiritual world as we know it and the challenge given by virtual cyberspace to this traditional understanding. The hazards can clearly cause disasters but can also create development opportunities. Beginning with a brief historical review of what is known, what is not known, and definitions of terms, the chapter moves on to look at the very different environments and difficulties created within cyberspace in the political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal arenas. Additionally, life, military, organizational, critical infrastructure, criminal, and moral hazards are explored. The analysis reveals some familiar, some surprising, and some unknown features of these hazards. The reluctant conclusion is that some form of regulation is required to ensure that society as a whole is protected from cyber-security hazards.