Data Security Decoded provides actionable, vendor-agnostic insights to reduce data security risk and improve resilience outcomes. Designed for cybersecurity and IT professionals who want practical insights on preparing for attacks before they happen, so they can respond effectively when they inevitably do. Episodes feature insights from researchers, crafters of public policy, and senior cybersecurity leaders, to help organizations reduce risk and improve resilience. Data Security Decoded provides practical advice, proven strategies, and in-depth discussions on the latest trends and challenges in data security, helping listeners strengthen their organizations' defenses and recovery plans.
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Data Security Decoded provides actionable, vendor-agnostic insights to reduce data security risk and improve resilience outcomes. Designed for cybersecurity and IT professionals who want practical insights on preparing for attacks before they happen, so they can respond effectively when they inevitably do. Episodes feature insights from researchers, crafters of public policy, and senior cybersecurity leaders, to help organizations reduce risk and improve resilience. Data Security Decoded provides practical advice, proven strategies, and in-depth discussions on the latest trends and challenges in data security, helping listeners strengthen their organizations' defenses and recovery plans.
Data Weaponization: How Cyber Attacks Impact the Vulnerable
Data Security Decoded
22 minutes
7 months ago
Data Weaponization: How Cyber Attacks Impact the Vulnerable
Welcome to the Data Security Decoded podcast by Rubrik Zero Labs. In this episode, our host Caleb Tolin speaks with Pavlina Pavlova, a researcher and cybersecurity advocate focusing on data weaponization and its disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations.
Pavlina defines data weaponization as using data to manipulate, deceive, coerce, or attack someone to inflict harm. Her research investigates why cyber attacks and their impacts often have gendered dimensions, with certain populations experiencing more severe consequences.
The conversation explores how attacks on critical infrastructure, particularly healthcare, create immediate impacts. While cyber attacks aren't becoming more sophisticated, they're growing more vicious. Ransomware attacks against healthcare facilities disproportionately affect women, who often serve as caregivers and rely more heavily on healthcare services.
Pavlina examines the geopolitical dimensions of cybercrime, noting how certain nations harbor cybercriminals aligned with their foreign policy goals. These sanctuary jurisdictions make accountability difficult and contribute to attacks aimed at disrupting societal resilience.
Join Caleb and Pavlina as they discuss policy frameworks addressing gender dimensions of data weaponization, explore international cooperation efforts, and share practical advice for under-resourced organizations to improve their cyber resilience despite limited funding. They also examine the critical role of responsible data collection and the importance of donors specifically allocating cybersecurity funding when supporting vulnerable organizations.
Episode Highlights:
[01:02] Defining Data Weaponization
[04:11] Critical Infrastructure Targeting
[09:29] Geopolitical Dimensions of Cybercrime
[13:24] Policy Frameworks and International Cooperation
[19:31] Resources for Under-resourced Organizations
Episode Resources:
Caleb Tolin on LinkedIn
Pavlina Pavlova on LinkedIn
New America report by Pavlina Pavlova
Cyber Peace Institute
United Nations Cybercrime Convention
Data Security Decoded
Data Security Decoded provides actionable, vendor-agnostic insights to reduce data security risk and improve resilience outcomes. Designed for cybersecurity and IT professionals who want practical insights on preparing for attacks before they happen, so they can respond effectively when they inevitably do. Episodes feature insights from researchers, crafters of public policy, and senior cybersecurity leaders, to help organizations reduce risk and improve resilience. Data Security Decoded provides practical advice, proven strategies, and in-depth discussions on the latest trends and challenges in data security, helping listeners strengthen their organizations' defenses and recovery plans.
