Philosophy of Cybersecurity

“Philosophy of Cybersecurity is an ambitious and innovative attempt to look at the vast scientific field from a completely new perspective. There are hundreds of books on the market today that focus on the technical aspects of attacks on computer systems, or analyze the social consequences of selected technologies. The work you hold in your hands offers the reader something more. It presents a coherent intellectual model covering risks across the entire industry – from defense against phishing to the realities of cyber conflicts between hostile states. Sprinkled with numerous anecdotes and references to current events, the book is accessible and valuable read for anyone working in the IT industry or interested in this subject as a hobby.”— Michal Zalewski, former VP/CISO (Snap), renowned hacker, Lifetime Achievement Pwnie Award recipient“Just as we must be well versed ourselves in the laws that govern society to act responsibly and wisely as citizens, so must we understand a fast-evolving digital world where software is not always especially trustworthy and peril abounds. Less a treatise than a deeply informed how-to guide, Philosophy of Cybersecurity offers important lessons for safely navigating and shaping policy in a world where compromised computer code is wreaking ever more havoc. The authors clearly walk readers through vital issues: How to fend off cybercrooks; how to separate hype from serious impact in reported “cyberattacks”; how to understand when cyber operations by state-backed hackers are tolerated under international law and what actions make them crimes. Timely, and current, with analysis of cyberactivity in the war for Ukraine.”— Frank Bajak, technology correspondent, Associated Press

“Philosophy of Cybersecurity tackles the industry’s broad landscape, from technology to policy to offensive and defensive operations. It gives the reader context to understand how the field has evolved in the past, and how to understand future developments. Its insights—particularly in the context of international law—are illuminating.— Bruce Schneier, author of A Hacker’s Mind: How the Powerful Bend Society’s Rules, and How to Bend Them Back“This rich and insightful book provides clear and practical guidance for everyone interested in digital transformation and security. It prefers reason to fearmongering and places the user – you and me – at the heart of its analysis. An engaging cybersecurity primer for a general audience.”— Tim Stevens, King’s College London, author of What is Cybersecurity For?“What matters? And more importantly, what doesn’t matter? These profound philosophical questions are directly relevant anyone grappling with cyber-security. This topical, well-researched, and insightful book provides a rigorous but accessible theoretical framework, illustrated with provocative and all-too-realistic scenarios, and provides important suggestions that will clarify our thoughts and improve our effectiveness. I recommend this book strongly to professionals and lay people alike.”— Edward Lucas, author of Cyberphobia: Identity, Trust, Security and the Internet, formerly senior editor, The Economist

Lukasz Olejnik is an independent cybersecurity and privacy researcher and consultant.

He holds a Computer Science PhD from INRIA (France). He worked at CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research), and was a research associate at University College London. He was associated with Princeton’s Center for Information Technology Policy, with Oxford’s Centre for Technology and Global Affairs, and was elected a Member of World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Technical Architecture Group. Fellow of Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. Former cyberwarfare advisor at the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva, where he worked on the humanitarian consequences of cyberwarfare. He advised on science and new technologies at the European Data Protection Supervisor.

He helps various companies and organisations, including with cybersecurity, privacy and data protection, and technology policy.

His comments appeared in places such as Financial Times, Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, El Pais, or Le Monde. He authored scientific papers, reports, opinion articles in venues like Wired or Foreign Policy.

Artur Kurasinski is a tech-realist, a serial innovator, entrepreneur, public speaker, and a game and comic book author. Artur analyzes and comments technology from economic, sociologic, and geopolitical perspectives. Co-creator of numerous Polish startups. A mentor in many contests, author of one of Poland’s most popular tech blogs. A speaker and participant in Poland’s leading important tech conferences. Co-creator of Poland’s oldest series of startup meet-ups (Aula Polska) and the Auler awards.