Imagine a secret weapon against hackers, hidden among the dusty shelves of a library. Sounds like science fiction? Yet, Umberto Eco's genius revealed a revolutionary concept that the cybersecurity world should not ignore: the anti-library.
We're not talking about boring academic tomes, but rather an explosive collection of unexplored knowledge, ready to transform into your digital fortress. While cybercriminals sharpen their weapons, you might already possess the key to defeating them, buried among unread pages. In an era where cyberattacks evolve at the speed of light, the anti-library emerges as the unexpected superhero of digital security. It's your secret arsenal, a learning potential that catapults you always one step ahead of malicious actors. Get ready to discover how this hidden resource could be your winning move in the dangerous chess game of cybersecurity.
The anti-library isn't just theory: it's your next line of defense against digital chaos. It's not simply a pile of unread books, but rather a strategic resource representing knowledge that might be necessary in the future. This concept emphasizes the importance of recognizing what we don't know and being ready to fill these gaps when needed. Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving sector, where new threats emerge continuously. Cyberattacks become increasingly sophisticated, requiring organizations to always be at the forefront with their defenses. In this context, having access to a vast range of resources and knowledge becomes fundamental for facing future challenges.
In a recent professional encounter, I came face to face with an intriguing phenomenon: the arrogance of the thirty-something cyber-tech expert. This meeting transformed into a fascinating social experiment, revealing the complex interconnections between behavior, technology, and brain plasticity. Imagine the brain as an ever-evolving city. In this neural metropolis, neighborhoods represent different skills and abilities. In the case of our young cyber expert, the technology district expanded disproportionately, creating an imposing skyscraper of technical knowledge. However, this vertical growth has overshadowed other vital neighborhoods: those of empathy, emotional intelligence, and cognitive flexibility.
This [anti-library] concept emphasizes the importance of recognizing what we don't know and being ready to fill these gaps when needed.
Neuroscientist Michael Merzenich, a pioneer in neuroplasticity, teaches us that our brain is like an ever-changing landscape, shaped by our daily experiences. In this context, the know-it-all's arrogance can be seen as a canyon carved by a constant flow of technical experiences, at the expense of other neural pathways.
Moshé Feldenkrais offers an illuminating perspective, comparing the brain to an athlete. Just as a body that neglects certain muscles, our cyber expert's brain has "atrophied" in areas dedicated to social skills and open-mindedness, focusing exclusively on technological "cognitive bodybuilding."
William Bates leads us to consider this condition as a form of "cognitive myopia." Just as the myopic eye struggles to focus on distant objects, our expert's brain seems unable to appreciate perspectives beyond its narrow technological field of vision. The macula, that precious area of the retina only 6 mm in diameter, becomes a powerful metaphor. In today's hyperconnected world, many of us develop an "imprecise gaze," relying on the "rods" of our mental periphery instead of using the "cones" of our cognitive macula for a clear and detailed vision of the world around us.
This journey through neuro-plasticity and cognition reminds us of the importance of cultivating an open and versatile mind. As gardeners of our neural landscape, we have the responsibility to nurture not only the skyscrapers of specialization but also the parks of empathy, the avenues of curiosity, and the squares of open-mindedness. The challenge, therefore, is not merely technological but profoundly human: how can we balance technical expertise with a holistic worldview while avoiding the trap of cognitive myopia?
A possible answer I envision is adopting an approach similar to that of the anti-library in cybersecurity: this means investing in continuous training, not just technical, and research and development of new technologies that are not only specifically technical, even before they become strictly necessary. Organizations can benefit from maintaining a "library" of tools, techniques, and knowledge that may not be immediately applicable, but could prove crucial in addressing future threats. I imagine an organization's brain as a vast neural landscape, constantly evolving and adapting.
A possible answer I envision is adopting an approach similar to that of the anti-library in cybersecurity: this means investing in continuous training, not just technical, and research and development of new technologies that are not only specifically technical, even before they become strictly necessary.
Neuro-plasticity, that marvelous ability of the brain to reshape itself, offers us a powerful metaphor for understanding proactive preparation in the world of cybersecurity. Just as the brain maintains dormant synapses, ready to activate in response to new experiences, a resilient organization cultivates resources not yet used. These are like neurons on standby, ready to form new connections at the first sign of danger. In an instant, they can transform the organization's defensive structure, just as the brain reorganizes its circuits in response to new stimuli.
This is the proactive preparation of NIS2: I would call it proactive defense with synapses in waiting (SIW). Knowledge of vulnerabilities and solutions is comparable to the brain's somatosensory maps. Just as these maps allow us to navigate the physical world without thinking, a deep understanding of the threat landscape creates a neural "security map." This map allows the organization to move with agility and security in the complex digital ecosystem, anticipating and neutralizing threats before they can cause damage. This is Risk Reduction; I would call it Neural Security Maps (NSM).
The exploration of new technologies mirrors the process of neurogenesis, the creation of new neurons in the adult brain. Just as these new neurons can revolutionize existing brain circuits, leading to new insights and capabilities, early adoption of emerging technologies can radically transform an organization's defensive capabilities. This "digital neurogenesis" keeps the security infrastructure young, adaptable, and one step ahead of evolving threats. In this neuroplastic paradigm, cybersecurity is no longer a static wall, but a living, pulsating organism.
Like the brain that continuously reshapes itself in response to experiences, a truly resilient organization embraces change, cultivates flexibility, and remains in a state of perpetual learning. This neuroplastic vision of cybersecurity reminds us that true strength lies not in rigidity, but in the ability to adapt, evolve, and renew continuously. In a world of rapidly evolving threats, it is this organizational plasticity that separates organizations that survive from those that thrive. This is Continuous Innovation; I would call it Digital Neurogenesis (DN).
I will revisit these concepts in future articles as they enable me to build the idea of digital security in a radiant mode. Alas, I am still far from defining a clear idea of radiant cybersecurity. I can only improve in focusing on the concept. My digital macula still needs to train and focus on details that continuously elude me. In closing this idea of a neuro-plastic secure organization, I can only rely on Umberto Eco's anti-library, which teaches us the importance of potential knowledge and continuous preparation. By applying this concept to cybersecurity, organizations may improve their ability to adapt to new threats and effectively protect their digital assets. In a world where knowledge is power, the anti-library may represent a valuable strategy for the future of information security.
Francesco Terlizzi is professor of cybersecurity at the Marconi University in Italy, and also leads the university's Cybersecurity Lab for CTA (Cyber Threats Analysis). He is also CEO of system integrator, ACRM Net.
