Fifteenth International Conference on Technology, Knowledge & Society

Abstract

Technology Based Crises can take different forms: system crashes due to programming errors, power failures, or faulty equipment, failures due to bad design, and failures resulting from natural disasters. One of the most challenging forms of threats to technology based systems are those that are malicious—where individuals, groups, or governments deliberately destroy or exploit technology to cause damage to other individuals, organizations, or governments. The cause of these failures are the deliberate acts of human beings meaning to do damage, cause havoc, gain financial rewards at other’s expense, or further their personal or political agendas. Unlike crises caused by accidental errors, technological failures, or natural disasters, the challenges of predicting, preventing, and prevailing over them grow more complex. This study will examine the unique problems posed by malicious threats and apply the theory of Crisis Compliance to provide guidelines for governments, organizations and stakeholders in dealing with them, preventing their occurrence and mitigating their impact. This study will provide a taxonomy of existing malicious threats and their impacts. Current technological and methodological developments will be mapped onto the taxonomy, indicating best practices, areas where solutions can be shared, and areas where further development are needed. Finally, suggestions for increasing knowledge transparency and trust among governments, organizations and stakeholders about the dangers posed by malicious threats and the best practices for preventing them and mitigating their damage, conclude the study.