Although 2020 is the year of the crisis, only one is new

By Kayne McGladrey, CISSP

People may aptly sum up 2020 in a single word: crisis. An inadequate response to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people globally. The underlying data are more tragic, as the pandemic has disproportionately affected communities of color that have lived with the daily existing threats of shrinking economic mobility and racism. At the same time, both public and private organizations have struggled to mount an effective defense against cybercrime, which represents not only one of the largest transfers of wealth in human history but also threatens public trust in democracy and civil society. This article provides context and actionable steps to begin to dismantle the underpinnings of these long-standing crises; however, this article is not the solution. Only sustained action will lead to meaningful change.