As the world is moving forward in an era of digital technology, AI has emerged as the most powerful tool along with the most concerning one in enhancing Cybersecurity measures. AI driven system can detect and preventing and even responding to Cyber threats with the most speed and accuracy that any human could compared. Like there is threat detection then threat management and threat response tool which gives effective results and acts in response time. However, the integration of AI in Cybersecurity also brings to light the stark disparities in access to this advanced technology and now this technology is equally contributing to what is known as digital inequality as well.
Best example of this digital inequality can be seen that if one can imagine a AI as robotic assistant for computer security. Its good at finding and obstructing things which is bad to internet or network system, like hackers which are trying to steal the information or cause glitching in a system. But now here’s a concerning and tricky part that not everyone have this smart assistant only some of the organization can build and afford advance accurate robotic AI assistant to protect their network and themselves better. Now this creates a gap and this gap called as “digital inequality” or “digital divide”.
Digital inequality refers to a gap between those who have access to modern information and communication. In a virtual world of interconnectedness, differences in Cyber security leads to societal inequality. There are some individuals who can have antivirus software and multi-layer protection and on the other side there are some individuals who have minimal protection and walking through in a Cyber field unprotected. Now this divide can be seen in various forms like access to internet, digital literary and the availability of advanced digital tools. There’s no doubt that this has numerous benefits, but the issue is that its benefits is not distributed across different socio-economic state.
For example, looking at role of AI in Cyber ecosystem it shows how AI is playing a crucial role in enhancing security measures and response capabilities. Like advanced treat detection which enable early detection of potential threats and instantly evolve cyber-attack. Similarly, automation of security task can automate routine security tasks such as software updates and log analysis and even automatically store data which even minimize human efforts and save the time. Moreover, AI can integrate with threat intelligence platforms to gather and analyze info about the incoming or rising threats and take necessary action to obstruct that threat. Not only that one can enhanced response through AI like by prioritizing alerts and providing actionable insights to security teams which eventually minimize the impact of Cyber incidents.
Role of AI in Cyber is multifaceted but only those can achieve these roles who have capability to programmed these function as so the country who is fully developed and the most rich one can analyze and develop these type of security into their system but now the question arises, what about those country who cannot introduced and afford this type of digital advancement? Does everyone have to live in digital divide era or in digital inequality era. And even high-income individuals, corporation and well-funded institution are more likely to have resources to invest in and implement these AI driven Cyber security solution.
For small business which form the basis of economies, the lack of access to advanced Cybersecurity can be really devastating. Like Cyber-attacks on small business can lead to several damages and financial losses and even business closure. Not only this but public institution like schools, media and hospital also at a risk of digital inequality. As these institution holds sensitive data which is integral to communal welfare. So Cyber-attack on these sectors can lead to data breaches and disruption in critical services and distort public trust.
Now we need several strategies to address the digital inequality in Cybersecurity. First, we need a developed policy that promote the equitable access of Cybersecurity resources at governmental and international level. Moreover, education and awareness play an important role in mitigating digital inequality by increasing digital literacy by community programs. Additionally, we can also add up inclusive innovation like developing AI driven tools that are user friendly and accessible to all democratize access to advanced Cybersecurity. These key strategies are so effective to mitigate the digital inequality on the very basic level because we must start this from any-side and addressing the root cause of digital inequality. So, by promoting equitable access to resources, digital literacy and fostering inclusive innovation we can work toward the benefit from this digital advancement which is shared by everyone despite socioeconomic status.
Author an indpendent researcher and her area of interest is emerging technology and International Relations. She can be reached at sammanakhtar6@gmail.com