At the core of this article is the argument that the technology industry needs to learn from the airline industry and prioritize safety and security as its number one priority. The author acknowledges that there may be arguments against this, such as the technology industry not being safety critical. However, the author points out that in the hyper-connected digital space we live in, shortcuts and ignorance can have significant consequences.
An example of this is the weaponization of baby monitors and other IoT devices as part of a bot-net in 2016, which caused disruption to the Internet across Europe and North America. This serves as a reminder that even seemingly innocuous devices can have significant implications when it comes to safety and security. The author emphasizes that with the dawn of artificial intelligence, the risks and consequences will only increase.
To address this issue, the author calls on both buyers and producers of technology to prioritize secure design. Buyers are encouraged to ask vendors if their products are “Secure by Design and Secure by Default” and to request evidence. Producers are urged to review the “Secure By Design” document drafted by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The author emphasizes the importance of everyone playing a part in ensuring the safety and security of technology.
In conclusion, the author argues that the technology industry must learn from the airline industry and prioritize safety and security as its number one priority. The potential consequences of ignoring safety and security in the technology industry are highlighted, and both buyers and producers of technology are called on to prioritize secure design. By doing so, the author believes that the industry can better protect against the risks and consequences of the hyper-connected digital space.
