Several recent technology-related incidents, including the CrowdStrike bug release that was estimated to have cost Fortune 500 companies $54b in losses and caused the cancellation of hundreds of flights, the AT&T cyber attack that downloaded call records of 107m subscribers, and the cyber attack on the City of Dallas’ computer systems that brought the city’s emergency services to a halt, to name a few, bring about the question—can we trust technology?
This article is based on my latest podcast episode with my guest, Beth Ziesenis, “Your Nerdy Best Friend,” where we discussed those incidences and the overarching question. We realized that there are a few considerations when addressing the question:
Technology is Complicated
Gone are the days when software size was measured in kilobytes. Software is now measured in gigabytes, written by multiple developers and sometimes by numerous companies. Phones are no longer used only for telephone conversations but run complex applications. Integration is hard, and testing all possible situations is almost impossible. The probability of software bugs is exponentially higher.
Cyber Attacks are Becoming the Norm
Cyber attacks are becoming the norm in our increasingly digital world, with incidents like the AT&T breach exposing the call and text logs of 109 million customers, highlighting the persistent and growing threat of cybercrime. Adding to this complexity, artificial intelligence (AI) is now being leveraged by attackers and bad actors, enabling more sophisticated and targeted attacks. AI-driven tactics, such as deepfake technology, can clone voices and create convincing fraudulent scenarios, making it easier for scammers to deceive victims and harder for individuals to discern legitimate interactions from malicious ones.
We Can’t Live Without Technology
Despite the issues of bugs and cyber attacks, we can't live without technology. It has become integral to our daily lives, providing essential services in communication, healthcare, finance, and transportation. Its convenience and efficiency are unmatched, making it indispensable for personal and professional functioning. While vulnerabilities and cyber threats are real concerns, the benefits of technology far outweigh the risks.
We Must Accept These as “The New Normal”
We must accept these challenges as “the new normal” in our tech-driven world. Bugs and cyber attacks are inevitable byproducts of the complex and interconnected systems that power our daily lives. Despite these issues, we have no option but to trust technology, as it remains essential for communication, healthcare, finance, and transportation. The convenience and efficiency technology offers are unmatched, making it indispensable for both personal and professional functioning.
We Are The Front Line of Defense
We have become the front line of defense against bugs and cyber-attacks in our digital world. As technology becomes increasingly integral to our lives, the responsibility for protecting our information and privacy falls more heavily on individual users. This means being vigilant about our digital behaviors, such as using strong, unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and staying informed about potential threats.
We Trust the Companies, Not The Products
Finally, trusting technology ultimately means trusting the companies that develop and deploy it, as well as the people who work in these companies and those who lead them. Our confidence in technology hinges on their transparency, integrity, and accountability. When companies fail to disclose incidents promptly, obscure the truth, or deflect responsibility, they undermine our trust. It's not just the software or hardware that we rely on but the ethical standards and communication practices of those behind the scenes. Without honesty and accountability from these organizations, our trust in the technology they produce and maintain is fundamentally compromised.
Want to hear more? Listen to the podcast episode at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s14e5-bugs-hackers-cyber-attacks-can-you-trust-technology/id1569249060?i=1000663787164
Dr. Yoram Solomon is an expert in trust, employee engagement, teamwork, organizational culture, and leadership. He is the author of The Book of Trust, host of The Trust Show podcast, a three-time TEDx speaker, and facilitator of the Trust Habits workshop and masterclass that explains what trust is and how to build trust in organizations. He is a frequent speaker at SHRM events and a contributor to HR.com magazine.
The Book of Trust®, The Innovation Culture Institute®, and Trust Habits® are registered
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