Why the Digital World Needs Cyber Diplomats | Sanjana Rathi | TEDxGCEM

Cybersecurity Threats & Impact - Cybercrime is a global epidemic, not a niche concern, affecting ordinary people and causing them to lose their savings [1] - A farmer in India lost approximately ₹100,000 (₹1 Lakh) to an international phishing attack, highlighting the real-world impact of cybercrime [1] - A ransomware attack on one of the largest shipping companies caused approximately $300 million in damages [2] - In 2017, an attack on around 20 ships in the Black Sea showed navigation systems placing ships approximately 32 kilometers inland, demonstrating risks to life and the economy [3] Cybersecurity Challenges & Evolution - The world failed to evolve fast enough to meet digital threats, with laws and systems lagging behind technology [1] - Governments are investing billions of dollars in new institutions and policies, but building more silos instead of agility [1] - The issue is not a failure of intention, but a failure of evolution in cybersecurity [1] Cyber Diplomacy as a Solution - Cyber diplomacy is presented as a necessary next step in global evolution, blending technology and diplomacy [1][3] - Cyber diplomats are needed to understand firewalls, foreign policy, encryption, and empathy, acting swiftly across borders [1] - Cyber diplomats should be trained not just in response, but in anticipation, acting as new diplomats of peace across digital frontiers [1] - Cyber diplomacy can bring a solution to critical infrastructure systems that are increasingly digitized and vulnerable to collapse [1][3]