Cybersecurity in popular culture

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Cybersecurity in popular culture examines the various ways in which the themes and concepts related to cybersecurity have been portrayed and explored in different forms of popular culture, such as music, movies, television shows, and literature. As the digital age continues to expand and the importance of protecting computer systems, networks, and digital information grows, the awareness and understanding of cybersecurity have increasingly become a part of mainstream culture. [1] Popular culture often portraits the gloomy underworld of cybersecurity, where unconventional tactics are used to combat a diverse range of threats to individuals, businesses, and governments. The integration of dark and mysterious elements into cybersecurity stories helps create a sense of uncertainty, rule-breaking, and intriguing ambiguity. This captures the public's attention and highlights the high stakes involved in the ongoing struggle to protect our digital world. [2] This article highlights the creative works and cultural phenomena that have brought cybersecurity issues to the forefront, reflecting society's evolving relationship with technology, privacy, and digital security.

Contents

The portrayal of cybersecurity themes in popular culture has evolved along with the growth of Internet and computer technology. Early examples from the 1980s and 1990s, such as "WarGames" (1983), "Neuromancer" (1984), "The Net" (1995), "Snow Crash" (1992), and "Hackers" (1995), introduced the hacker archetype and explored virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and ethical implications of hacking, as well as the risks of identity theft and cyberstalking.

In the 2000s, with the Internet becoming more prevalent, popular culture addressed the consequences of an interconnected world, including surveillance, privacy, and cybercrime. Television shows like "Person of Interest" (2011-2016) and "Mr. Robot" (2015-2019) tackled mass surveillance and digital vigilantism. Movies such as "Live Free or Die Hard" (2007) and "Blackhat" (2015) engaged with topics such as cyberterrorism and state-sponsored cyberattacks.

Educational and awareness initiatives emerged, leveraging popular culture themes to make cybersecurity concepts more engaging and accessible. Examples include National Cyber Security Awareness Month, Capture The Flag (CTF) events, [3] and educational resources like comic books, cartoons, and video games for children and young adults.

The portrayal of cybersecurity in popular culture will continue to evolve, reflecting the growing sophistication of cyber threats and the increasing role of technology in our lives, shaping our understanding of these issues and potential solutions to protect our digital world.

Literature

Movies

Music

Television

Videos games

Educational and awareness initiatives

Educational and awareness initiatives play a more frequent role in promoting cybersecurity awareness and education among the general public. Leveraging popular culture themes, these initiatives can more effectively communicate complex cybersecurity concepts and best practices in an engaging and accessible manner. Some noteworthy examples of these efforts include:

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cybercrime</span> Type of crime based in computer networks

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internet police</span> Term describing governmental and official involvement in cyber policing

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EC-Council is a cybersecurity certification, education, training, and services company based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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A computer security conference is a convention for individuals involved in computer security. They generally serve as meeting places for system and network administrators, hackers, and computer security experts.

There is no commonly agreed single definition of “cybercrime”. It refers to illegal internet-mediated activities that often take place in global electronic networks. Cybercrime is "international" or "transnational" – there are ‘no cyber-borders between countries'. International cybercrimes often challenge the effectiveness of domestic and international law, and law enforcement. Because existing laws in many countries are not tailored to deal with cybercrime, criminals increasingly conduct crimes on the Internet in order to take advantages of the less severe punishments or difficulties of being traced.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen T. Cobb</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Venable</span> Cyber security professional

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Andrea M. Matwyshyn is an American law professor and engineering professor at The Pennsylvania State University. She is known as a scholar of technology policy, particularly as an expert at the intersection of law and computer security and for her work with government. She is credited with originating the legal and policy concept of the Internet of Bodies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capture the flag (cybersecurity)</span> Computer security exercise

Capture the Flag (CTF) in computer security is an exercise in which participants attempt to find text strings, called "flags", which are secretly hidden in purposefully-vulnerable programs or websites. They can be used for both competitive or educational purposes. In two main variations of CTFs, participants either steal flags from other participants or from organizers. A mixed competition combines these two styles. Competitions can include hiding flags in hardware devices, they can be both online or in-person, and can be advanced or entry-level. The game is inspired by the traditional outdoor sport of the same name.

Michael B. Faulkner, known as by his pseudonym CygonX is an American business executive, author, and convicted cybercriminal. He is the founder of Crydon Capital.

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