of IoT, AI, 5G, mobility innovation, AR/VR, and other cutting-edge technologies, and the
establishment of the new lifestyle that has become the “new normal.”
- On the other hand, the use of digital technology presents new challenges as well. If used
inappropriately with malicious intent, it can deepen the rift and increase risks between nations,
suppress human rights, and expand inequality.5 Risks which were unforeseen previously can
also be increased, and such changes are advancing in a discontinuous manner due to the
coronavirus pandemic, generating concerns about such risks to emerge in unexpected ways.
While cyberspace continues to transform into a public space amid this context, the people
continue to harbor a sense of anxiety about cyberspace.6
- To ensure “a free, fair and secure cyberspace” in these circumstances, it is needed to clarify the
issues that must be addressed and promote policies based on a proper understanding of the risks
that arise from the changes that are currently unfolding, or changes that could occur in the near
future. Naturally, it is extremely important to consider medium- to long-term perspectives at the
same time as service providers change every few years in cyberspace, which means that
stakeholders that play a major role in ensuring cybersecurity can also change.
3. 1 Increase in risks in cyberspace
3. 1. 1 Risks from the perspective of environmental changes
- Environmental changes may be accompanied by increased threats and vulnerabilities of the
society as a whole.
(i) Threat Perspective
- While cyberspace may allow us to enjoy the benefits of new technological innovation, this also
means that the people will be putting much more information about themselves than ever before
on cyberspace. Information that has bearing on their lives, bodies, and property will become
increasingly subject to cyberattacks.
- It is also conceivable that attackers will take advantage of the fruit of technological innovation,
such as automatic attacks using AI and autonomous attacks that do not rely on human control,
which leads to greater threats.
(ii) Vulnerabilities of the society as a whole
- From the perspective of the society as a whole, the advancement of digitalization has inevitably
involved companies in various industries and business categories that were hitherto unrelated
to cyberspace, and even individuals including the young and elderly, to participate in
5
6
This is also presented as a new challenge in the “Declaration on the commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the
United Nations,” and addressing digital trust and security is considered a priority.
According to a questionnaire survey conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department in September 2020, 75.3% of respondents
say they feel anxious about cybercrime.
6
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