Technological advancement has brought immense benefits to society. With the increasing use of digital technology, all information is stored digitally as data. Information is power, more so in today’s world. However, this also poses a grave risk of data theft and digital wars. There is a need to protect the three essential pillars that make up digital systems: computers, networks, and data.

As per cybersecurityventures.com, global cybercrime costs are expected to grow by 15 percent annually, reaching USD 10.5 trillion annually by 2025. According to Microsoft’s Digital Defence Report, in 2020, NGOs were the most targeted organization at 32%, indicating that CSOs are underprepared and vulnerable to such attacks.

Susceptibility to internet addiction involves many social ills, such as excessive use of social networking sites, compulsive buying, and pornography. Measures taken to deal with these issues have been reactive instead of proactive.

The resilience of systems is being stressed and tested. The world is grappling with an urgent need to protect digital systems to ensure safety and security at the individual, organizational, societal, and global levels.