Anuradha Mathrani (editor) - Cyber security and policy : a substantive dialogue

This publication on cyber security and policy represents a comprehensive and interdisciplinary security analysis that has a broad academic and practical relevance. It demonstrates the increasing complexity, unpredictability and vulnerability of the global and national security environments through the prism of cyber activity. The authors offer well-researched and at times passionate perspectives on evolving cyber trends, government reactions and cyber policies, societal dilemmas with technology, criminal and extremist exploitation of the cyber space, and the vulnerabilities of the cyber infrastructure.

Rapid progress in technology and the unstoppable force of globalisation occasional isolationist bravado notwithstanding pose challenges to governments and societies, law and order, and established security paradigms, rules and behaviours. The world of cyber security is in flux. Current and emerging technologies are allowing threats and capabilities to change the way cyber defences are designed, implemented and presented to customers. It is critical that cyber-security experts and leaders around the world understand the complex trends and underlying dynamics shaping the future of their sector. The loud cyber alarm bells are a powerful reminder that a proper response not to mention a more desirable but harder to achieve preparedness for emerging security challenges, such as cyber, that are often immune to traditional tools of mitigation requires a new way of thinking and acting in the national and international security domains.

New Zealands Cyber Security Strategy 2015 was a clear reflection of the scale and complexity of the problem. Its four goals cyber resilience, cyber capability, addressing cybercrime and international cooperation resonate with governmental, business and individual cyber concerns. Almost one million New Zealanders are affected by cybercrime each year, and a recent report put the cost of cybercrime to New Zealand at $257 million in 2015.

In the past, New Zealands geographic location has helped keep the country safe from traditional forms of attack. It does not, however, protect the nation from cyber terrorism or cybercrime. The implementation of the strategy is a much more challenging task, as was evidenced by the heavy attendance at the New Zealand Cyber Summit on 5 May 2016, where many speakers and participants stressed the need for more expert advice, government support and collaboration.

Getting businesses to cooperate on cyber security seems almost as hard as prompting rival nations to join efforts against cyber terrorism and cybercrime. Self-interest and the desire to gain a competitive edge in the cyber domain still obstruct reasonable pragmatism and common security. Clearly, old habits will need to change.

This very helpful volume offers a different way of approaching cyber issues. It is written by both established and emerging scholars, and is a good example of a much-needed collaboration on cyber issues that crosses not just disciplines but also academic research and experience. Fresh and innovative perspectives are as important as mature scholarly opinion. It combines broad strategic and political issues with specific technical facts, and brings together experts from a wide variety of academic disciplines. It is a reminder that the security train has left the old station, owned and operated by uniformed forces: the battle for cyber security is too important to be left to traditional security agencies.

Professor Rouben Azizian

Director, Centre for Defence and Security Studies

Massey University