Exploding Data: Reclaiming Our Cyber Security in the Digital Age

By Michael Chertoff

A powerful argument for new laws and policies regarding cyber-security, from the former US Secretary of Homeland Security.

The most dangerous threat we-individually and as a society-face today is no longer military, but rather the increasingly pervasive exposure of our personal information; nothing undermines our freedom more than losing control of information about ourselves. And yet, as daily events underscore, we are ever more vulnerable to cyber-attack.

In this bracing book, Michael Chertoff makes clear that our laws and policies surrounding the protection of personal information, written for an earlier time, need to be completely overhauled in the Internet era. On the one hand, the collection of data-more widespread by business than by government, and impossible to stop-should be facilitated as an ultimate protection for society. On the other, standards under which information can be inspected, analysed or used must be significantly tightened. In offering his compelling call for action, Chertoff argues that what is at stake is not only the simple loss of privacy, which is almost impossible to protect, but also that of individual autonomy-the ability to make personal choices free of manipulation or coercion.

Offering colourful stories over many decades that illuminate the three periods of data gathering we have experienced, Chertoff explains the complex legalities surrounding issues of data collection and dissemination today and charts a forceful new strategy that balances the needs of government, business and individuals alike.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Atlantic Books
• Release date: Aug 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781611859249

Reviews for Exploding Data

[davidwineberg · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Michael Chertoff says Big Data is not so much a product of the internet as of globalization. It is commerce that caused the new tools of Big Data to come into being and play. They made the mountains of information saleable. But regardless of where cyber abuse began, the law has clearly not kept up, and that is leading to loss of autonomy – our ability to act as we wish. Exploding Data is a collection of anecdotes and case law exploring the explosion. There is nothing new here, but if you’ve never heard of cybercrime or device tracking, this is a good overview. As for Chertoff, he gives away nothing – no deep insight from all his years at Homeland Security and Justice.He calls for a five point, wobbly approach to new legislation to protect what we have, and encourage the private sector to participate and police the internet. He actually calls for old-fashioned privateers, empowered to stop the criminals. This cyber vigilante-ism will not work of course. The pirates who obtained government letters of marque to plunder foreign vessels were in it for the gold. They were not playing offense or defense for the good guys. From Chertoff, someone in the eye of the storm, this is a facile disappointment. Despite Chertoff, the basic rule of thumb still applies. If there is no charge for the product, you are the product. Protect your data and reveal it sparingly. And when push comes to shove, you can rest assured that you are on your own.David Wineberg