What you need to know about cybersecurity | Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo | TEDxLeeds Beckett University

Cyber threats are everywhere, impacting individual behaviors, trust in institutions, and governments. With approximately 5 billion internet users globally, personal information is extensively available online, making individuals vulnerable to cybercriminals. Beyond individual attacks, cyber warfare has emerged, as seen in the Costa Rica incident where a cyberattack crippled government systems, costing millions daily without physical invasion.

Governments prioritize national security through extensive data collection, raising concerns about individual privacy. The speaker questions whether we sacrifice privacy for security and highlights the constant surveillance by CCTV cameras. Big tech companies, while developing cybersecurity innovations, also collect vast amounts of data, which can be used to perpetuate biases and discrimination. The rise of AI-powered phishing and deepfake technologies further complicates the landscape, introducing 'tech cybercriminals'.

Cybersecurity necessitates international cooperation due to the borderless nature of cyberspace. However, there's a significant digital inequality. Most cybersecurity technology originates from a few powerful states (e.g., UK, Europe, China). This forces digitally weaker states to rely on these powerful countries, inheriting their tech vulnerabilities and priorities, which can lead to digital colonialism, eroding their sovereignty and creating a cybersecurity divide between the global North and South.

Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Individuals must practice good digital hygiene, such as creating strong, unique passwords (using three random words), regularly updating software, backing up data, and thinking before clicking. Education is crucial, particularly for children, integrating cybersecurity literacy into educational systems from a young age.

Governments must be held accountable for their cybersecurity policies, ensuring they are people-centered and prioritize human rights, privacy, and data ownership. Tech companies must design and deploy technology with security as an initial thought (security by design, human rights by design, privacy by design) rather than an afterthought, making ethical approaches obligatory. Enhanced research and global cooperation, addressing digital inequality and bridging the digital divide, are essential to avoid digital dominance and colonialism and secure a better digital future for all.