Cybersecurity is Global Security: A New-Age Responsibility in the Digital World

In today’s interconnected world, cybersecurity forms the foundation of trust, safety, and stability. From hospitals safeguarding patient data to schools managing online learning and governments protecting essential infrastructure, secure digital systems are vital for everyday life. A single cyber incident can disrupt economies, compromise human rights, and weaken social trust.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2024, cyber incidents rank among the top five global risks in both likelihood and impact. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) identifies digital security as a global priority that ensures the continuity of essential services and the protection of public safety.

The Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2024 highlights that attacks on critical sectors such as healthcare, energy, and education continue to grow in complexity and frequency. The report also points out that human error and identity compromise remain leading causes of data breaches, emphasizing the need for awareness and proactive defense.

Cybersecurity has become a shared civic responsibility that extends beyond technical boundaries. Protecting digital infrastructure safeguards privacy, enables equitable access to information, and strengthens public trust. It is central to how communities connect, collaborate, and thrive in the digital era.

Recognizing this growing significance, the Melton Foundation hosted a panel discussion titled “Cybersecurity is Global Security.” Experts from the technology, education, and civil society sectors came together to explore themes such as trust, identity management, AI-driven threats, workforce development, and ethical digital practices. The session provided insights into how individuals and organizations can work together to create safer digital environments worldwide.

Meet the Speakers

The “Cybersecurity is Global Security” session brought together experts from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds who are shaping the future of digital trust and safety. Their collective expertise provided valuable insights into how cybersecurity affects every aspect of modern life  from identity protection and financial integrity to global collaboration and education.

Mary Eranackal
Melton Fellow and Head of Cybersecurity for Identity at Airbus, Europe’s largest aerospace company, based in the United Kingdom. Mary leads initiatives that strengthen digital identity systems and ensure secure access across global operations.

Eric Kwaku Mensa
Financial Crimes and Cybersecurity Consultant at e-Crime Bureau GH, the first and largest cybersecurity and digital forensics agency established in West Africa. Based in Ghana, Eric brings deep expertise in combating digital threats and strengthening institutional resilience.

David Chaddock
Co-Founder at Infinite Partners, a U.S.-based advisory firm that supports organizations with trusted consulting and operational solutions. David focuses on building secure, ethical, and sustainable digital practices across industries.

Jane Prokop
Board Director and Advisor in Financial Services, based in the United States. Jane offers strategic insights on risk management, leadership, and responsible innovation in the financial technology landscape.

Innocent Chikwanda
Melton Fellow and Founder of 1Village, a social enterprise dedicated to community empowerment and digital inclusion. Innocent hosted the session, guiding the conversation toward the intersection of technology, ethics, and global collaboration.

Understanding Cybersecurity and Identity Management

In 2024 the cybersecurity environment shifted sharply toward identity-centric risk. According to the Identity Defined Security Alliance (IDSA) survey, 90 % of organisations reported experiencing at least one identity-related incident in the prior 12 months. BeyondTrust The same research indicates that 84 % of identity security professionals said their organisations suffered a direct business impact as a result of identity-related incidents. PR Newswire These findings underscore that identity management has moved from being a background concern to a front-line strategic priority.

“At its core, cybersecurity is about trust. How do we establish, verify, and validate that trust?”
— David Chaddock, Co-Founder, Infinite Partners

David Chaddock’s insight highlights a fundamental truth: digital safety is built on trust between people, systems and data. When identity is compromised the ripple effects reach beyond IT systems and impact reputation, operations and governance.

What is the “identity perimeter”?

Mary Eranackal, Head of Cybersecurity Identity at Airbus, introduced the concept of an identity perimeter. She compared digital access to leaving a door open at home and explained that strong access controls and identity verification mechanisms serve as the security equivalent of a locked door.

“If you leave your door open, anyone can walk in. The same applies in the digital world. Strong access controls and identity verification are essential to protect your data.”
— Mary Eranackal

She emphasised that identity controls are relevant across contexts: whether it is the corporate environment where employees, contractors and machines gain system access; or the personal sphere where individuals share and store sensitive data like healthcare or financial information.

Why do identity-related incidents matter?

The identity perimeter matters because compromised credentials are now a dominant threat vector. Research by Check Point Software Technologies and its External Risk Management unit shows that in 2025 there was a 160 % increase in compromised credentials compared to the prior period. Check Point Blog  One article specifies that leaked credentials accounted for approximately 22 % of data breaches in 2024. The Hacker News

IBM notes that identity mis-configurations and blind spots remain top risks, as the “identity has become the new perimeter” in digital infrastructure. ibm.com These mis-configurations include poor password hygiene, missing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and unmanaged machine identities.

What does this mean for individuals and organisations?

Jane Prokop, Financial Services Advisor, drew attention to how these trends affect real people.

“Everything online has potential consequences. Sensitive data such as financial or healthcare information can be misused to impersonate you, access your accounts, or harm your livelihood.”
— Jane Prokop

Her comment reminds us that identity risk is personal. Fraudsters may exploit one compromised password to hijack multiple accounts, link financial services with healthcare data, and even sell identity-packages on underground markets. For organisations, identity incidents affect productivity, recovery cost, reputation and regulatory exposure. For example the IDSA found that 52 % of organisations identified “distraction from core business” as the most significant impact of identity incidents. BeyondTrust

Practical Strategies for Strengthening Identity Security

Given the scale and velocity of identity-based threats the panel recommended three core areas of action:

• Access controls and verification – Setting up unique credentials, evaluating least-privilege access, and enforcing identity verification across human and machine actors.

• Credential hygiene – Encouraging strong passphrases, eliminating reused passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and monitoring for exposed credentials in third-party databases.

• Identity awareness across stakeholders – Educating employees, contractors and family members about the consequences of identity compromise; establishing organisational culture where digital identity protection is as fundamental as physical security.

Mary Eranackal emphasised that identity responsibility does not stop at the individual user. Organisations must protect the identity chains that connect devices, services and people.

“Digital identity extends beyond the individual- it includes families, organisations and communities. We must take collective responsibility.”
— Mary Eranackal

AI, Emerging Threats and Cyber Hygiene

Artificial intelligence has become one of the most influential forces shaping cybersecurity today. The same algorithms that help security teams detect and neutralize attacks in real time are being leveraged by malicious actors to automate intrusions and expand the scale of their operations. The result is an arms race where innovation and exploitation evolve side by side.

A recent State of AI Cybersecurity 2025 report by Darktrace revealed that 78% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) have already observed a significant rise in AI-powered threats affecting their organizations. Fewer than half of these organizations feel adequately prepared to respond, citing skill gaps and limited resources as the primary barriers to resilience (PR Newswire).

These numbers mirror a broader trend in the global threat landscape. The Trend Micro Cyber Risk Report 2025 highlights a surge in AI-driven malware and phishing campaigns, particularly in countries with large digital footprints. The report logged over 1.49 trillion detected threats worldwide, with Southern Asia among the regions facing the highest volumes of AI-enhanced attacks.

“AI can act as both a shield and a tool for adversaries. Its ability to mentor bad actors creates a growing challenge in cybersecurity.”
— David Chaddock, Co-Founder, Infinite Partners

David Chaddock’s reflection captures the paradox at the heart of AI in cybersecurity. Intelligent systems can be programmed to learn defensive strategies, yet the same capability enables attackers to test, adapt, and scale their exploits faster than human defenders can react. This dynamic has given rise to a new generation of “Malware-as-a-Service” (MaaS) operations, which accounted for 57% of observed threats in recent months according to Security Info Watch.

“Everything shared online persists and can be accessed by AI systems. Avoid sharing sensitive personal information and regularly monitor for data breaches.”
— Jane Prokop, Financial Services Advisor

Jane Prokop’s warning speaks to a new dimension of risk: permanence. Once uploaded, data can circulate indefinitely across AI systems and databases. With every dataset becoming potential training material, personal information whether a medical record, bank detail, or even a photo, can resurface in unexpected contexts. Her call for awareness reflects an urgent need to rethink personal responsibility in a world where data is never truly deleted.

Mary Eranackal, Head of Cybersecurity Identity at Airbus, extended this idea to the collective level:

“Digital identity extends beyond the individual. It includes families, organisations and communities. We must take collective responsibility.”
— Mary Eranackal

Her perspective aligns with an emerging consensus in global cybersecurity circles: resilience is not achieved through technology alone. It depends on human judgment, collaboration, and shared accountability. Every password reset, system update, and verified login becomes part of a collective firewall that protects both individuals and institutions.

As AI-driven threats grow in sophistication, the speed of response will increasingly define success. Organisations that view cybersecurity as an ethical and civic responsibility are more likely to build trust within their networks and communities. For individuals, this means practicing good cyber hygiene, using strong passphrases, enabling multi-factor authentication, and staying vigilant about where and how personal information is shared. For institutions, it means fostering continuous education, transparent governance, and proactive threat management.

Cybersecurity has moved beyond the realm of technical experts. It is now a shared global task that affects economies, democracies, and daily life. The conversation that began in our panel, Cybersecurity is Global Security ends with this reminder: safeguarding the digital world is as much about values and collaboration as it is about code and encryption. When trust, ethics, and awareness guide our engagement with technology, digital spaces become safer for everyone.

Before you go, check out a curated list of trusted resources to help you stay informed and proactive in protecting your digital identity.

Additional Resources

Additional Resources have been included below as well as attached to this email for those who are interested!