In the field of cybersecurity, ethical decision-making and responsible behavior are of utmost importance. Aristotle’s ethical framework provides valuable insights into the cultivation of virtues that can guide professionals in making sound and morally upright choices. By exploring Aristotle’s concept of the golden mean, we can understand how virtues act as a compass for individuals working in cyber and information security. This article examines key virtues, their extremes, and illustrates how the golden mean can be applied to promote ethical excellence and personal development in the cybersecurity profession.
Here is a breakdown of the virtues mentioned or discussed in “Nicomachean Ethics” by the corresponding books:
Book I:
- Courage
- Temperance
Book II:
- Liberality
- Magnificence
Book IV:
- Magnanimity
- Pride or Greatness of Soul
- Good Temper
Book V:
- Friendliness or Friendliness of Character
- Truthfulness or Honesty
- Wittiness or Wit
Book V and Book VI:
- Justice
Book VI:
- Wisdom or Practical Wisdom
- Understanding
Book VII:
- Righteous Indignation
Book IX:
- Patience or Forbearance
Book X:
- Modesty or Shame
- Gentleness or Mildness
- Sincerity or Truthfulness
Worked out Virtues
Hereby a list of all the key virtues worked out, their extremes, and illustrating their golden means, specifically for people working in cyber and information security.
1. Discipline:
- Excess: Obsessiveness. This could involve over-exercising to the point of causing physical harm or letting your exercise regimen interfere with other important aspects of life, such as work or relationships. In a cyber security context, this might look like focusing so much on a single security aspect that other crucial elements are neglected.
- Deficiency: Laziness or neglect. This could involve rarely or never exercising. In cyber security, this might be akin to ignoring or neglecting crucial security protocols or updates.
- Golden Mean: Maintaining a consistent and balanced exercise regimen that improves health without causing harm or interfering with other important areas of life. In cyber security, this would be staying vigilant and up-to-date on protocols and updates without obsessing over a single element of security.
2. Courage:
- Excess: Recklessness or foolhardiness. In a workout context, this could involve taking on physical challenges beyond one’s capabilities, leading to injury. In cyber security, recklessness might involve implementing untested security measures without considering the potential fallout.
- Deficiency: Timidity. In workouts, this could involve never pushing yourself to improve or try new exercises. In cyber security, timidity might look like always sticking with the status quo, never innovating or improving security measures out of fear of failure.
- Golden Mean: Taking on reasonable challenges in workouts, pushing oneself to improve while still taking into account personal limitations and safety. In cyber security, this would mean testing and implementing new security measures after careful evaluation of their potential risks and benefits.
3. Temperance:
- Excess: Asceticism. In a workout context, this might look like following an overly restrictive diet. In cyber security, this could be overly strict restrictions on system usage which could lead to reduced productivity or user dissatisfaction.
- Deficiency: Indulgence. This could involve overeating or drinking, negatively impacting one’s health and workouts. In cyber security, indulgence could look like loose policies around internet usage that leave the system vulnerable to threats.
- Golden Mean: Following a balanced diet that supports your health and fitness goals without causing unnecessary deprivation. In cyber security, this would involve creating usage policies that strike a balance between security and usability.
4. Patience:
- Excess: Complacency. In a workout context, this could involve sticking with the same easy routine and never pushing oneself. In cyber security, complacency could involve sticking with outdated systems or methods because they’re familiar.
- Deficiency: Impatience. This could involve expecting immediate results from workouts and giving up when they don’t materialize. In cyber security, impatience could mean implementing new systems or methods without fully vetting them, which could lead to vulnerabilities.
- Golden Mean: Pursuing fitness goals with persistence and resilience, understanding that progress takes time. In cyber security, this means taking the time to properly vet and implement new systems or methods, and being willing to persistently address security needs as they evolve.
5. Prudence (Wisdom)
- Excess: Overthinking or Analysis Paralysis. In a workout context, this could involve excessive research or planning without actually taking action. In cyber security, overthinking might manifest as spending too much time evaluating options without making necessary decisions.
- Deficiency: Rashness or thoughtlessness. This could involve jumping into a new workout routine without proper preparation or understanding. In cyber security, rashness could involve making decisions without thoroughly considering the implications.
- Golden Mean: Making informed decisions based on knowledge and understanding. This means taking the time to plan and prepare for a workout regimen or to understand and implement a cyber security strategy, but not getting so caught up in planning that you never act.
6. Integrity
- Excess: Rigidity. In a workout context, this could involve sticking to a routine or diet even when it’s not working or causing harm. In cyber security, rigidity might mean sticking to old protocols or systems even when they are proven to be ineffective.
- Deficiency: Dishonesty or inconsistency. This could involve cheating on your diet or skipping workouts and then making excuses. In cyber security, inconsistency could mean not sticking to set protocols, potentially leading to security breaches.
- Golden Mean: Being honest and consistent in actions, maintaining a workout routine and diet that works, and sticking to cyber security protocols.
7. Humility
- Excess: Self-deprecation. In a workout context, this could involve constantly downplaying your achievements. In cyber security, self-deprecation could mean not standing up for your ideas or work.
- Deficiency: Arrogance. This could involve overestimating your fitness abilities or disregarding advice from others. In cyber security, arrogance could mean thinking your systems are impenetrable, ignoring potential vulnerabilities.
- Golden Mean: Recognizing your accomplishments and limitations. This means acknowledging progress in your workout regimen, but also understanding there’s always room for improvement. In cyber security, this means being confident in your work but also accepting feedback and continually seeking to improve.
8. Perseverance
- Excess: Stubbornness. In a workout context, this could involve sticking to a particular routine or exercise even when it’s not providing results or is causing injury. In cyber security, stubbornness might involve clinging to a particular strategy even when it’s proven ineffective.
- Deficiency: Giving up easily. This could involve quitting a workout routine at the first sign of difficulty. In cyber security, it might mean giving up on solving complex security issues or not being persistent in staying updated with the latest threats.
- Golden Mean: Persisting through challenges but also being flexible to change strategies when necessary. In both workout and cyber security contexts, this would mean continuing to strive for improvement even when faced with obstacles, but also being adaptable and willing to try new strategies when old ones aren’t working.
These virtues and their golden means serve to promote balance, personal development, and overall flourishing (eudaimonia) in the context of both physical workouts and the field of cyber and information security. By following this model, Aristotle would argue, cyber and information security professionals can cultivate virtues that will not only serve them well in their field, but also contribute to their overall well-being and eudaimonia.