Emerging Threats to Individuals, Businesses, and States
- Imagine waking up one morning to find your bank account drained, your personal data exposed, or your business operations halted by a cyberattack.
- These scenarios highlight the emerging threats faced by individuals, businesses, and states in our technologically interconnected world.
- With the growing interdependence of places, stakeholders operating at different scales (e.g. individuals, businesses, and states) face variety of risks caused by physical (environmental), economic, (geo)political, biological (health-related), and moral (ethical) hazards.
- From cybersecurity risks to global supply chain vulnerabilities, understanding these threats is essential for navigating the modern landscape.
Personal and Business Risks
Hacking and Cybersecurity Threats
1. Data Breaches
- Data breaches is the act of exploiting vulnerabilities in computer systems or networks to gain unauthorized access to data, functionality, or control.
- Data breaches occur when unauthorized individuals access sensitive information, such as financial records or personal identifiers
- These breaches can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and reputational damage.
- Equifax (2017): Exposed the personal information of over 147 million people, including Social Security numbers and credit data.
- Marriott International (2018): Affected around 500 million guests, revealing details like passport numbers, payment information, and personal data.
- Facebook (2019): Exposed data of over 530 million users, including phone numbers and personal information, due to a vulnerability in their systems.
2. Ransomware Attacks
- Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts a victim's data, demanding payment for its release.
- These attacks can paralyze critical systems, from hospitals to government agencies.
The WannaCry attack in 2017 affected over 200,000 systems in 150 countries, including the UK's National Health Service.
3. Identity Theft
- Identity theft involves stealing personal information to commit fraud.
- This crime is particularly challenging because the perpetrator and victim can be geographically distant, complicating law enforcement efforts.
Certain populations, such as university students and military personnel, are at higher risk due to shared networks and insufficient protection.
TipRegularly update passwords and enable two-factor authentication to reduce the risk of hacking.
Surveillance Concerns
1. Government Surveillance
- State surveillance has expanded with advancements in technology, raising concerns about privacy and freedom.
- Governments can now monitor communications, track online activity, use CCTV cameras and facial recognition systems, as well as intercept data through fiber optic cables.
- During the Arab Spring, governments in Egypt and Libya reportedly used surveillance to suppress dissent.
- The most known example of digital surveillance state is China. It involves extensive monitoring of citizens using advanced technologies like facial recognition, AI, and big data analytics. It integrates national databases for tracking social behavior, maintains internet censorship through the Great Firewall, and utilizes platforms like the social credit system to regulate and influence citizen conduct.
2. Corporate Data Collection
- Corporations also collect vast amounts of personal data for targeted advertising and market analysis.
- While this can enhance consumer experiences, it raises questions about consent and data security.
To what extent should governments balance national security with individual privacy? How do cultural perspectives shape this debate?
TipDon't assume that all data collection is harmless. Always review privacy settings and permissions on your devices.
Global Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
- Global supply chains are the backbone of modern economies, but they are increasingly exposed to a range of risks.
Political Instability
1. Trade Wars
- Trade wars can disrupt the flow of goods and services, leading to shortages and increased costs.
- These measures often have ripple effects, impacting businesses and consumers worldwide.
- The US-China trade war began in 2018 and led to tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of goods, affecting industries from electronics to agriculture.
- It was repeated to a far larger extent in 2025.
2. Conflict and Resource Nationalism
- Political instability in key regions can disrupt supply chains, especially for critical resources like oil or rare minerals.
- Resource nationalism, where governments take control of natural resources, adds further uncertainty.
The Arab Spring protests disrupted supply chains in the Middle East and North Africa, affecting global oil markets.
