Cyber Defense Moral Responsibility

and Ethics in Cybersecurity

Introduction
In today’s world, the use of technology is a normal
thing for anybody. With everything used in a human’s
daily lives merging into the internet, there are
increasing widespread concerns regarding
cybersecurity. As individuals and organizations
become more dependent on technology, personal
information and data integrity has become
increasingly important than ever before.

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Why is Cyber Defense Important?
Organizations at some point will encounter persistent threats that will hinder the business operations. Threats can be
stealing sensitive data or disrupting the network connectivity. These persistent threats are always knocking on any
organization and strengthening the defense against these will greatly improve the trust of individuals.

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Cybercrime in Canada

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Examples of Cybercrime
Hacking
gaining control or access to a
computer system without
authority
Denial-of-Service
an offence to obstruct, interrupt
or interfere with the lawful use
of computer data or to deny
access to computer data to a
person who is entitled to access
it
Phishing
A type of social engineering
attack where attackers send
fraudulent emails or messages to
trick victims into sharing
sensitive information.
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Maps

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 Moral Responsibility in Cyber Defense
As cyber attacks become increasingly common, it is important to consider the moral responsibility of those involved in
cyber defense. This includes individuals, organizations, and governments.

Individual Responsibility Organizational Responsibility Government Responsibility

Individuals working in cyber defense
have a moral responsibility to act
ethically and with integrity. This
includes respecting the privacy and
rights of individuals, as well as
ensuring that the defense measures
taken are proportional and necessary.
Organizations that provide cyber
defense services also have a moral
responsibility to act ethically and
with integrity. This includes ensuring
that their employees are properly
trained and equipped to handle cyber
threats, as well as implementing
measures to protect the privacy and
rights of their clients.
Governments have a moral
responsibility to protect their citizens
from cyber attacks. This includes
implementing laws and regulations
to ensure that cyber defense
measures are effective and ethical, as
well as providing resources and
support to individuals and
organizations involved in cyber
defense.

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 Examples of Moral Responsibility in Cyber Defense
Protecting Sensitive Data
Cybersecurity professionals have a moral
responsibility to protect sensitive data. This
includes personal information, financial
data, and confidential business information.
Failing to do so can result in significant
harm to individuals and organizations.
Reporting Security Breaches
When a security breach occurs,
cybersecurity professionals have a moral
responsibility to report it to the
appropriate authorities. This can help
prevent further harm and hold those
responsible accountable for their actions.
Ethical Hacking
Some cybersecurity professionals engage in ethical
hacking to identify vulnerabilities in systems and
networks. While this can be a valuable tool for
improving security, it must be done responsibly and
ethically. Cybersecurity professionals have a moral
responsibility to obtain proper authorization and not
cause harm or damage during the process.
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Preventing Attacks

Education and Training Regular Software Updates

Ensure that all employees are trained in cybersecurity best Keep all software and operating systems up-to-date with the
practices, including password management, recognizing latest security patches and updates to prevent vulnerabilities
phishing emails, and safe web browsing habits. from being exploited.

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Preventing Attacks
Corporate Governance
Corporate governance plays a crucial role in cyber defense.
It involves the policies, procedures, and structures that
guide the management and direction of an organization.
Effective corporate governance ensures that cyber defense
is a top priority for the organization and that all employees
understand their role in protecting sensitive information.
• Establishing a cyber defense strategy that aligns with
the organization's overall goals and objectives.
• Providing adequate resources and support for cyber
defense initiatives, including training and education
for employees.
• Implementing appropriate controls and safeguards to
protect sensitive information and systems.

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Good Practice Principles for Data Ethics in the Public Sector
• Transparency: Ensure that data collection,
use, and sharing is open and understandable
to the public.
• Fairness: Ensure that data is collected, used,
and shared in a way that is unbiased and does
not discriminate against any individuals or
groups.
• Accountability: Ensure that those responsible
for data collection, use, and sharing are held
accountable for their actions and decisions.
• Privacy: Ensure that personal data is
collected, used, and shared in accordance with
relevant laws and regulations, and that
individuals have control over their own data.

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References
Chin (2023). Cybersecurity and Social Responsibility: Ethical Considerations. https://www.upguard.com/blog/cybersecurity-ethics

Ling et al. (2023) Cybersecurity Laws and Regulations Canada 2024. https://iclg.com/practice-areas/cybersecurity-laws-and-
regulations/canada

Brands (2023) Cybersecurity laws and legislation (2023). https://www.connectwise.com/blog/cybersecurity/cybersecurity-laws-

and-legislation

Cybertalk (2022) What is cyber defense? https://www.cybertalk.org/what-is-cyber-defense/

Palatty (2023). 160 Cybersecurity Statistics 2023. https://www.getastra.com/blog/security-audit/cyber-security-statistics/

#:~:text=Cybersecurity%20statistics%20indicate%20that%20there,cost%20%248%20trillion%20by%202023.

Petrosyan (2023). Number of police-reported cyber crimes in Canada 2014-2022.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/613374/police-reported-cybercrimes-canada/#:~:text=As%20of%202022%2C%20the
%20number,in%20Canada%20was%20the%20highest.

UNCTAD (n.d.) Cybercrime Legislation Worldwide. https://unctad.org/page/cybercrime-legislation-worldwide

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THANK YOU