What do you imagine when you hear the word technology? Leisure? Work? Crime? All the above are correct. The introduction of computers and other technologies have made life both easier and more difficult.

Computers have impacted education in a huge way. Due to the 2020 global pandemic, many schools have resorted to online learning. Without computers and the internet, we wouldn’t be able to safely learn from a distance like we have done the past 12 months. The same scenario goes for the workforce. I understand there are a lot of workers that don’t have the privilege of working from home but the one’s that due are able to stay safe and healthy during these troubling times. Another way technology has made our lives safer is the introduction of “tap to pay” and things like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Instead of having to swipe your card, and risk it being caught by a skimmer, more and more places offer a tap to pay system where sometimes you don’t even have to pull your wallet out of your back pocket.

With pros there are usually cons that are paired with them. Technology may seem like a great thing but are the negatives worth it? Technology can have an adverse effect you’re your health. Sitting at a desk all day is poor for your posture, too much device usage can damage your eyes or cause insomnia. Technology is also addictive with 50% of teens saying they are addicted to their devices. Cybercrime has also been on the rise. With technology getting more and more advanced, cyber criminals are finding new ways to hack, steal, and destroy information and systems. That’s why, as cyber security professionals, we will always have a job. Finally, computers can be used as an invasion of privacy. We have seen many times that governments will tap into cameras, phones, and other devices to listen and watch what they want.

Technology is, of course a blessing but it needs the right balance and the right checks and balances.