“Geopolitics of Cybersecurity” – the new book of Dr. Jayshree Pandya

Editorial Review by Dr. Lubomir Todorov

On the still insufficiently explored and analyzed field where dynamic cybersecurity issues continue to evolve in a geopolitical environment functioning in the tribal mode with state and non-state actors confronting each other, and strongly assisted through her abundant experience and activity within the RGroundup, Dr. Jayshree Pandya makes, through her new book “Geopolitics of Cybersecurity”, a huge advance to the understanding that national security in the 21st century is practically unachievable without a comprehensive global approach to collective cybersecurity.

The book’s first substantially informative part (sections 1.-5.) represents the advent of cyberspace, its evolution, transformational power over other areas of human activity, and the inevitability of its weaponization. But in fact, through this part the author is conceptualizing one new type of global risks – that of the expanding and deepening digital vulnerability. We love to enjoy the benefits if digitization, which has in multiple cases proved its superiority by providing preconditions for comprehensive analysis and edge optimization in numerous fields, including the advance of artificial intelligence. Digitization, however, comes with vulnerabilities that constitute the matter of cybersecurity. Dr. Pandya has clearly defined an anthropogenic risk with the potential to threaten human existence.

What is more, in the following sections, we get from the book the important observations that, unlike other well-known global risks, such as climate change, nuclear weapons, global pandemic, etc., for which already there are in place broad public perception, certain institutionalization on national and international level, numerous non-government organizational support, and even some generally accepted regulations, for the threats in the area of cybersecurity geopolitics we are not aware of anything comprehensive being prepared. This constitutes a wake-up call for clear understanding the existing threats, and an appeal to all to act without delay.

The last sections of the book reveal some of the author’s ideas for addressing the issues of geopolitical cybersecurity, including ones based on new technologies, such as blockchain.

The appearance of a book like for “Geopolitics of Cybersecurity” is not only timely, provided the dynamics of current international affairs and the speed with which contemporary technologies advance. The new book of Dr. Jayshree Pandya is also an essential contribution to the practical processes aimed at increasing global human security and creating a better collective future, and its original observations, analysis and conclusions should become known not only to representatives of academia and technology, but also to politicians and all involved in real politics decision-making.

Geopolitics of Cybersecurity: Implications for the Future of Humanity is a thoughtful, logical, and highly-readable journey from the current state of our planet towards a secure, collaborative, and technologically aware world. Dr. Pandya's vision for the future of our planet is one where freedom, security and collaboration between nations ensures that citizens can live in peace and prosperity, governments and corporations are held accountable in their positions of power and influence, and autonomous and automated processes, algorithms and machines evolve from a place of integrity, guidance and responsible innovation. Vital questions about the future of humanity, cyberspace and geospace are raised and discussed, and solutions offered that encourage innovation and pave the way for a future of prosperity, cohesion and responsible innovation on our planet. This important book should be at the forefront of cybersecurity strategy at a global level.