Bridging the Gap Between Cybersecurity Awareness and Public Engagement Through Art
In an age where digital threats loom large, governments and businesses invest billions annually to educate the public on cybersecurity. Campaigns aim to deter individuals from clicking on phishing emails, encourage the use of strong passwords and multifactor authentication, and promote the importance of erasing data from old devices. Despite these efforts, making cybersecurity relatable and engaging for the general public remains a challenge. However, a new art exhibit at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia, seeks to change that narrative.
CyberArts: A Creative Approach to Cybersecurity Awareness
Timed to coincide with the conclusion of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the CyberArts exhibit runs until January 19, 2024. Funded by grants from the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, this initiative aims to enhance cybersecurity research, workforce development, and innovation across Virginia’s academic institutions and government entities. The exhibit features six thought-provoking installations that delve into themes of identity, privacy, scams, misinformation, surveillance, and artificial intelligence, showcasing works from colleges and universities throughout the commonwealth.
Engaging Installations That Illuminate Cybersecurity Issues
One standout exhibit comes from George Mason University, which has transformed discarded smartphones into a collection of 80 unique videos. These videos reveal personal data—such as photos, internet bookmarks, and text messages—left behind on devices. Although all personally identifiable information has been removed, the exhibit powerfully illustrates the critical need to thoroughly wipe data from old devices before recycling or reselling them.
Virginia Tech contributes an exhibit that investigates the processes of hiding, detecting, and extracting information. Meanwhile, students from Blue Ridge Community College utilize advanced camera technology, akin to that used in retail and law enforcement, to track individuals’ movements. This project emphasizes the importance of privacy, bias, and consent in an increasingly surveilled society.
Another compelling installation from Virginia Commonwealth University involves a live performance that combines storytelling with virtual reality. Actors read scripts based on the experiences of immigrants from Richmond, Virginia, while AI and emotion-tracking technology respond to their speech with visual and auditory feedback. This innovative approach aims to foster empathy and connection with immigrant narratives, highlighting the human impact of cybersecurity issues.
James Madison University’s exhibit tackles the pressing issue of misinformation on social media. By employing brainwave data to assess how effectively misinformation alerts resonate with exhibit-goers, this project underscores the complexities of navigating truth in the digital age.
Making Cybersecurity Personal
John Delaney, managing director of the Commonwealth Cyber Institute, emphasizes the importance of making cybersecurity relatable. “Cyber is everywhere,” he notes, highlighting that the conversation around cybersecurity must extend beyond computer engineers and scientists. By presenting cybersecurity in an artistic context, the exhibit allows individuals to connect with the subject on a personal level, often leading to those enlightening “aha moments.”
This isn’t the first time the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative has merged art with cybersecurity. A similar exhibit in Roanoke, Virginia, in 2022 featured performances, installations, and even board games, showcasing the diverse ways art can illuminate technological issues. The intersection of art and technology is profound, influencing everything from design to public understanding.
Collaboration Across Disciplines
The CyberArts exhibit also serves as a platform for collaboration among students from various disciplines. Dan O’Brien, an assistant professor at Blue Ridge Community College, describes the collaborative effort behind the likeness tracking project, “Steal Your Face.” Over eight workshops spanning three months, cybersecurity and computer science students worked alongside arts and design students to develop an AI system capable of detecting movement. This interdisciplinary approach not only enhances the project but also highlights significant gaps in privacy protections that lawmakers have yet to address.
O’Brien notes the unsettling reality that these technologies often operate without clear regulations or policies. “We don’t know how they store the data, where they’re storing the data, if anything is secure,” he warns, underscoring the need for public awareness and discourse around these issues.
Creating Safe Spaces for Discussion
Katalin Parti, an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at Virginia Tech, is exploring new avenues to engage the public in discussions about online scams. She plans to produce an interactive stage performance where actors recount real-life scam stories, inviting audience members to share their experiences. This approach aims to create a safe space for individuals who may feel embarrassed about falling victim to scams, emphasizing that vulnerability to cyber threats transcends age and demographic boundaries.
Conclusion: The Future of Cybersecurity Awareness
As the CyberArts exhibit demonstrates, art can be a powerful vehicle for raising awareness about cybersecurity issues. By engaging the public through creative expression, these installations not only educate but also foster empathy and understanding. In a world where digital threats are ever-present, initiatives like CyberArts remind us that cybersecurity is not just a technical issue; it’s a human one that affects us all. Through collaboration and creativity, we can bridge the gap between complex cybersecurity concepts and everyday experiences, empowering individuals to navigate the digital landscape with greater awareness and confidence.