Why Hackers Win: Power and Disruption in the Network Society - Patrick Burkart and Tom McCourt (2019) - Evolution of hacking's perception

Extract

[...] Furthermore, it discusses the role of governmental regulations, export controls, and agreements among countries in governing the spread and usage of such weapons and surveillance technology. Burkart and McCourt argue that "states have resisted legal regimes to contain hacking by institutions-even as they have enacted draconian laws against hacking by individuals" (Burkart & McCourt p 12). Through their careful disclosure of these many-sided matters, the authors provide perspectives to government officials, researchers, and experts in non-government organizations who are seeking answers to this complex riddle about the governance of cyberspace in a region entirely of interdependence. The book tries to depict the hacker and cybersecurity community as a complex field by examining the subject from different academic perspectives. And this advantage, therefore, is also a disadvantage. Authors use a variety of theoretical frameworks and analytical examples from various fields; thus, we can have a hard time following the narrative or feel that the narrative needs to be more consistent. [...]

[...] This process helped outcast surrounding hacking as another strategic dimension in geopolitics and business techniques (Burkart & McCourt p 124). Hacking as a renegade activity has evolved into a tactic that states and corporations use to instrument global power and industrial landscapes strategically. Through this lens, the authors unpack the intricate interactions between people involved in offensive and defensive cybersecurity, allowing for a glimpse of the changing dynamics of cyber conflicts and their outcomes on international relations and corporate competitiveness. [...]

[...] They underline the critical importance of everyone in society - the key players especially - to perceive the power dynamics and try to modify the course of the future that the digital age will bring. Nevertheless, it's not just an analytical component of academia but also the threat that grabs one's attention and changes the actions individually and institutionally. Burkart and McCourt advocate for civil participation, legislative implication, and stakeholder collaboration in discussions and decision-making activities that affect democracy, human rights, and society in the digital environment. They insist on the principles of fairness and the role of building transparency, participation, and accountability, which are the tools for forming technological progression and governance structures. [...]

[...] The authors also discuss how the good governance of governmental agencies, private companies, and educational institutions is becoming crucial to protect against the growing risks posed by cyber threats. Therefore, the role of the governmental agencies must be considered since they serve in setting regulatory frameworks, determining policies, and collaboration among the sectors. Organizations, including the NSA (National Security Agency), DHS (Department of Homeland Security), and FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), develop guidelines, intelligence, and resources to reinforce the country's cyber defenses. [...]

[...] However, Why Hackers Win eventually becomes the necessary source of the hacking matters and their influence on contemporary society for anyone who tries to comprehend the complicated hacking issues. The thorough investigation by Burkart and McCourt is a high point of analysis of all hacking issues, emphasizing the diverse interconnections to geopolitics, corporate rulers, and individual rights with democracy. This work involves the crossing of disciplinary borders. Therefore, it gives readers an in-depth insight into all the complex factors that have shaped the rapid growth of the digital domain. [...]