Immanuel Kant ~ The Productivity Hacker & Possible Guide for the Australian Cyber Network

Depending on your perspective, Immanuel Kant was either the most boring person on the planet or a productivity hacker’s dream, for over 40 years he...

• Woke up every morning at 5:00am,
• Wrote for exactly three hours,
• He then lectured at the same university for exactly four hours,
• After lunch at the same restaurant every day,
• He went on an extended walk through the same park, on the same route, leaving and;
• Returning home at the exact same time.

Kant spent his entire life in Konigsberg, Prussia (Russia), never leaving the city despite the coast being an hour away.

Kant was efficiency personified. His neighbours joked that they could set their clocks by when he left his apartment each day.

• He left for his daily walk at 3:30pm,
• Had dinner with the same friend every evening,
• Returned home to finish work and;
• Went to bed at exactly 10pm.

It’s easy to scoff at such a regimented life... what a loser, seriously, get a life!!

But Kant was one of the most important and influential thinkers in modern history.

From his single room apartment, he did more to steer the world than most royalty and/or armies ever did.

If you live in a democratic society that protects individual rights, you have Kant to thank.

He was the first person to envision a global governing body that would guarantee peace.

His ideas inspired Einstein’s discovery of relativity, suggested that animals could have rights and invented the philosophy of aesthetics and beauty.

Kant was an intellectual powerhouse. His ideas, especially about ethics, are still discussed and debated in universities worldwide.

That’s what I want to talk about... Kant’s moral philosophy and why it matters now, particularly in the realm of cyber security and the launch of the Australian Cyber Network (ACN)

Moral Philosophy ~ Why It Matters in Cyber Security

You might be thinking, “Moral philosophy? Who cares? Show me a shiny sunset or a cat meme.” But that, right there, is moral philosophy!

Anytime you ask, “Who cares?” or “What’s the big deal?”, you’re questioning the value of something. These are all questions of value and fall under the umbrella of moral philosophy.

Our moral philosophy determines what we value and our values determine our decisions, actions and beliefs.

Therefore, moral philosophy applies to everything in our lives, including cyber security.

Kant’s moral philosophy is unique and counterintuitive. He believed that for something to be good, it had to be universal.

If lying is wrong, it must be wrong all the time, for everyone.

Kant called these universal ethical principles 'categorical imperatives' rules valid in all contexts and situations for every human being.

Kant’s Categorical Imperatives in Cyber Security

Kant made several attempts at creating categorical imperatives. While some were quickly dismissed, others have stood the test of time.

One particular imperative remains powerful...

“Act that you use humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means.”

In modern language, this means each person must never be treated only as a means to some other end but also as an end themselves.

To make this crystal clear and in a modern day scenario, let’s consider a simple example... if you’re hungry and want a burger, driving to the burger joint is a means to the end of satisfying your hunger.

That’s straightforward. But what if you involve other people?

Imagine then that you call a friend to have lunch together, but your true motive is to borrow money from them.

In this case, you’re not inviting them because you genuinely want to spend time with them (treating them as an end), but because they are a step towards achieving your goal of getting money (treating them as a means to an end).

According to Kant, this is unethical because you’re not respecting your friend’s inherent value as a person, you’re only using them to achieve your own goal.

Practical Applications of Kant’s Rule in Cyber Security

Privacy and Consent ~ In the digital age, user data is incredibly valuable. However, collecting and using this data without explicit consent is treating individuals as means rather than ends. Kant’s philosophy guides us to always seek clear, informed consent from users before accessing their personal information.

Integrity and Honesty ~ Cyber security professionals must maintain the highest standards of integrity. Lying or misleading clients about the security measures in place or the severity of potential threats violates Kant’s categorical imperative. Transparency and honesty should be the cornerstone of our communication.

Protecting Vulnerable Groups ~ Just as Kant argued against the oppression of any group, cyber security must prioritise protecting vulnerable populations. This includes creating secure environments for those less technologically savvy and ensuring that emerging technologies do not exacerbate inequalities.

Avoiding Manipulation ~ Ethical marketing and sales practices are crucial. Manipulating clients into unnecessary upgrades or exaggerated threats for profit treats them as means to an end. Kant’s philosophy encourages us to engage with clients honestly and respect their autonomy.

Duty of Self-Improvement ~ As cyber security professionals, continuous learning and improvement are not just beneficial but a moral duty. Staying updated with the latest threats and technologies ensures we provide the best protection possible, respecting the trust clients place in us.

Launching the Australian Cyber Network ~ Guided by Kant’s Philosophy

As we launch the ACN, Kant’s philosophy should serve as our ethical compass. ACN aims to build a cyber security ecosystem that respects and protects individuals’ rights. Here’s how I believe Kant’s categorical imperative can help guide our mission...

Strong Leadership and Governance ~ One of the core pillars of ACN is establishing a strong, capable board with a clear focus on guiding the industry forward. The recent appointment of key leaders ensures that our vision aligns with creating longterm, sustainable cyber security solutions. With clear goals and outcomes, ACN aims to positively impact the entire industry, fostering collaboration and innovation.

Privacy First ~ User data privacy is a top priority. ACN will implement stringent measures to ensure that data collection and usage are transparent and consensual. Users will always be treated as ends, never merely as means to an end.

Honest Communication ~ We pledge to maintain transparency and honesty in all our communications. Whether discussing potential threats and/or the effectiveness of our programs, we will always provide clear and truthful information to our community.

Inclusive Protection ~ ACN will focus on safeguarding vulnerable groups, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their technical expertise, has access to secure digital environments. We will work to close the digital divide and promote cyber equity.

Ethical Marketing ~ Our marketing practices will be ethical and transparent. We will avoid manipulative tactics and provide everyone with honest assessments and recommendations tailored to their genuine needs.

Continuous Learning ~ ACN professionals will commit to ongoing education and self improvement. By remaining at the forefront of cyber security innovations, we ensure that our citizens and industry receive the best protection available, thereby fulfilling their trust in us.

Building a Future Ready Cyber Network

ACN's mission is to create a more secure future for all Australians by leading the way with ethical practices, clear communication and collaborative industry efforts.

By establishing a strong network of stakeholders ranging from SMEs to major corporations, education and government, we are laying the groundwork for a resilient cyber security ecosystem capable of addressing tomorrow's challenges.

As we recently discussed during the Australian Cyber Network board meeting, our clear focus on goals and outcomes will be critical. The board, made up of diverse industry leaders, is committed to driving the best results for the whole industry.

Together, we aim to make Australia a global leader in cyber security, fostering innovation while upholding the highest ethical standards.

By following this philosophy, we can lead lives of purpose and influence the world positively. Kant's ideas remain a powerful guide for ethical living, reminding us to treat ourselves and others as ends, never merely as means.

This ethical framework is the foundation upon which the ACN will build a safer, more secure digital future for all Australians.

These principles may have emerged centuries ago, but they are more relevant than ever as we navigate the complexities of cyber security in the digital age.

The launch of ACN next month, guided by categorical imperatives and a strong leadership team, represents a commitment to ethical, respectful and effective cyber security practices.

As a collective, we can create a secure digital landscape that honours and protects every individual’s rights and dignity.