Security is a guarantee. It is the human concept of safety
and protection that is important in daily lives especially right now that
technology defines the way people live. The more complicated life becomes, the
more security should be intense. In ancient societies, security was confined
only in those areas were old people need to protect their basic physical
belongings like food, water, clothes and territory as well as their lives from
invaders. However, as the technology advances, there are more and more
properties, things---physical and intellectual needs also to be secured. This
is also in conjunction with how the thief and invaders improved in the way how
they sneak up on other people's properties.
With the advancement of technology and the internet, where
information gushes like water in an open fire hydrant where anyone with a glass
in hand can fetch and drink to quench the thirst for knowledge, there are still
some grey areas wherein privacy and security are being compromised. Private
information or confidential matters that are not for everyone's eyes are
stolen. Pertinent information regarding one's bank account if compromised could
prove to be a disaster to both the bank and the account holder. Business establishment's
trade secrets if were infringed could lead to loss of millions if not billions
of money, thus may affect the economy and the whole well being of a society.
The military for example, which serves as a vanguard of a nation can be
defeated and a country can be invaded if important information of top secrets
were leaked in the wrong hands. We all know in history that World War II ended
as Allied forces leaped and gained upper hand by deciphering the encryption
codes of the Nazi enemies. Up until now, information is the most sought after
article of trade that many nations and individuals would die for to have in
their hands, for whoever holds the information gains huge advantage in whatever
field they're in.
These are the primary reasons why business companies as well
as governments and other vital institutions spend a huge amount of money trying
to protect themselves from information thieves. Just like in old practices, if
vital information about business, finances or new product falls into the hands
of a competitor, harmful consequences may ensure. This may affect the economy as
well as the balance of trade.
However, there are sectors in society clamoring for the right
to know information that is due for the citizens to know. The right to be
informed is what some socio-civic groups are demanding from their government. These
rights for information demands coming from activists were merely an outcome of
the flooding of information that everybody is enjoying worldwide. The more
people know about their rights, the more will they demand for a better life and
treatment from their government. Also, the instant solidarity of people in
defiance from likeminded organizations all over the world through internet
gives them power to assert their rights. People's movement sporadically sprung
into action during the last years as empires and strong holds stumble like
sandcastles in the air as the people united through the internet information
exchanges.
Information is a powerful tool, as information security
ensures that this tool cannot be used by unscrupulous people with vested
interest to control the truth and sow fear amongst people. We may think that we
have the right amount of information in our hands as we have the latest iPhone
or iPad in our hands or holds a powerful computer right in our desk. We might
think that being internet savvy shields us from security risk of information
thief lurking in the dark corner. However, we should not stop thinking and be
always critical about how we are being manipulated, how we are being controlled
to always have that panic button never leave our sight, because there is no
fence high enough nor walls strong enough to the Harpaxophobic mind.
