In this article, the author explores the challenges that face the cybersecurity field as it attempts to protect mankind from cyberthreats. Weber explains that these challenges will come from not only the technological side, but also argues that other aspects such as economic, legal, or organizational challenges could play important roles in the advance towards better security online. Weber uses an extensive literature study in addition to a well detailed ethical analysis to argue that compromises in cybersecurity are inevitable. Weber suggest that even if cybersecurity became absolute, it would become unusable due to moral complications. Weber reiterates that a system with 100% cybersecurity would only be achievable at the expense of other significant areas of our lives. Weber also calls attention to the increase in cybercrime and attributes it to the growing ease of access to tools that aid in cyber attacks saying that “one simply buys “Cybercrime-as-a-service”.”

Since it is impractical to consider how to achieve cybersecurity as an absolute, where does the line get drawn? Weber tries to address this tricky question stating that a simple answer is likely impossible. According to Weber, there are too many aspects of morality that must be considered in order to make a perfect compromise. Since ethics and morality change often between different groups of people it is practically impossible to find a perfect compromise. Weber writes that “…what is morally right or wrong cannot be answered by recourse to universal norms and values…”. Weber concludes that in order for Cybersecurity to prevail in the future, a balance will need to be struck between a multitude of different groups. Weber predicts however, that this will never be achievable due to conflicting interests between the various groups around the world.

WEBER, K. (2022). CYBERSECURITY AND ETHICAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS: WHEN CYBERSECURITY FOR ALL IS NOT ON THE TABLE. Humanities and Social Sciences, 29(1), 87-95. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.7862/rz.2022.hss.07