Abstract
AbstractThis chapter analyses some of the main values, and values conflicts, in relation to cybersecurity by distinguishing four important value clusters that should be considered when deciding on cybersecurity measures. These clusters are security, privacy, fairness and accountability. Each cluster consists of a range of further values, which can be viewed as articulating specific moral reasons relevant when devising cybersecurity measures. In addition to the four value clusters, domain-specific values that are served by computer systems, such as health, are important. Following a detailed discussion of the four relevant value clusters, potential value conflicts and value tensions are considered. The relationships of five pairs of values (privacy-security, privacy-fairness, privacy-accountability, security-accountability and security-fairness) are analysed in terms of whether they are largely supportive or conflicting. In addition, possible methods for addressing these potential value conflicts are discussed. It is concluded that values, and value conflicts, in cybersecurity should be considered in context, also taking into account the specific computer systems at play, to enable the use of nuanced and fine-grained methods for addressing the relevant value conflicts.
Highlights
Moral dilemmas in cybersecurity are often framed in terms of privacy versus security
I propose a general conceptualisation of the value of security that indicates how cybersecurity can be seen as a specific kind of security, roughly understood as the state of computer systems being free from cyber threats
Since the call for transparency and openness of government operations is often based on considerations of accountability, I first discuss the relationship between privacy and accountability before discussing potential methods for addressing this value conflict
Summary
Moral dilemmas in cybersecurity are often framed in terms of privacy versus security. Whether privacy and security are conflicting or supportive depends on the specific context or application being considered. It depends on technical and design choices that can be made differently so that the conflict can sometimes be designed out. They correspond to certain moral reasons (for or against certain actions) This understanding of values allows several value clusters to be discerned in relation to cybersecurity. In relation to cybersecurity, four values cluster can be discerned: security, privacy, fairness and accountability. After addressing these value clusters in more detail, the chapter discusses value conflicts.
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