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Introduction to Computer Science

Introduction

Introduction to Computer ScienceIntroduction
Figure 14.1 As technology has advanced, the digital platforms that evolved make it challenging to optimize user experience while protecting society and the planet. (credit: modification of “140218-N-XX999-002” by Shawn Miller/U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Public Domain)

Chapter Outline

Introduction

The broadscale adoption of cyber resources faces challenges in ensuring underlying solutions’ qualities (e.g., security, performance, reliability) and responsible use (e.g., focus on sustainability, ethics, and professionalism) by current and upcoming generations. TechWorks is a fictional startup company fully committed to leveraging innovative technologies as part of its repeatable business model and as a business growth facilitator. The company faces the various challenges discussed in this chapter. In particular, TechWorks' ability to successfully define, measure, and enforce cyber resource quality requirements and cyber computing governance mechanisms has a profound effect on the company’s operational excellence and provides a competitive edge for the innovative solutions that TechWorks develops.

To demonstrate the aforementioned challenges and how to address them, this chapter first describes the approaches used to define and measure the quality of cyber resources. It then focuses on the evolving aspects of cybersecurity assurance, which protects IT solutions against undesirable use. Lastly, this chapter delves into global governance mechanisms (e.g., responsible computing) that regulate the use of cyber resources to protect our current and future generations and the planet.

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