Sri Lanka, like many other countries, is faced with the challenge of cybercrime in this era of rapid digitalisation. A greater reliance on digital technology channels has also provided new opportunities for cyber criminals to leverage these vulnerabilities and lead the way to financial losses that affect individuals, businesses, and governments.
Against this backdrop, especially women in Sri Lanka are highly vulnerable to cyber threats due to privacy-related issues, gender-based violence, attitudes and perceptions, along with the lack of proper education and training opportunities that would allow them to acquire new skills, as countermeasures against real-world crimes. On the other hand, artificial intelligence (AI) in cyber security can take the fight against cybercrime to another level and so does enabling women.
Empowering women in AI for cyber security
There is a need for the Government, educational institutions, and private firms to ensure that an environment is created for women to take up careers in AI for cyber security. This can be achieved through the implementation of AI and cyber security in learning institutions, the provision of scholarships and mentorships for women, and the funding of women-owned companies.
In addition, many plus points can result from promoting women in AI to improve cyber security in Sri Lanka. Thus, it will be possible to overcome the shortage of qualified personnel in the given sphere, which is already regarded as an acute issue at present. Secondly, one might assume that the representation of women will contribute to the increase in the set of proposed perspectives and exclusive approaches to the existing threats in the sphere of cyber security. Amidst that, the effective and constant recruitment and training of female AI workers and cyber security specialists can also contribute to the advancement of the economy by increasing employment for women and boosting women’s ventures.
Implications for nat’l security
AI has permeated many areas of life, thus resulting in numerous advantages ranging from the simplification of tasks to drastic changes in industries. However, one of the most profound consequences of AI transformation is found in the sphere of national security, especially where enhancing women’s role in combating cybercrime is concerned, in Sri Lanka.
Most countries have recorded cases of cybercrime as a new form of threat that has emanated from social networking sites and other digital technologies. Another concern is the fact that due to the capability of the Internet to conceal the identities of users, it continues to attract criminals for uses such as identity theft and money laundering for terrorism. The unavailability of an appropriate cyber security agency in Sri Lanka has left the country vulnerable to cyber criminals who can wreak havoc on the country’s economy, physical infrastructure, and population.
AI, in the domain of cyber security, can advance the precinct capacity of Sri Lanka to combat cyber crimes spaciously. With the assistance of AI, huge quotas of data can be processed in real-time, and any discrepancies and oddities might signify the onset of a cyber threat. This allows the authorities to immediately counter cybercrime incidents and contain the results, preventing other attacks of the same kind in the future. Furthermore, with the assistance of AI, it is possible to forecast and counteract cyber threats, which will enable the authorities to protect key infrastructure and information.
Women in Sri Lanka have to realise the reasons for them to be encouraged to join the fight against cybercrimes. The first one is that their thoughts and abilities are devalued just because they are not well represented in the sphere of cybersecurity. Gender equality would help Sri Lanka tap into its female population as an important resource in crime fighting, particularly cybercrime. Secondly, women have higher chances than men to become victims of cyber-related crimes like identity theft and online bullying. Women in Sri Lanka can be given capacity-building training for them to meaningfully engage in cyber security and get equipped with knowledge on how to protect themselves and their communities from Internet-based dangers.
The implications of AI for national security in Sri Lanka are far-reaching. AI can be utilised in areas of cyber security to improve the country’s protective mechanism against cyber risks and prevent hackers from penetrating through key infrastructure and personal data records.
Furthermore, AI is of particular value in combating terrorism, as most terrorist networks deploy cyber technologies in organising and performing their operations.
But, as it goes with the case of using AI in cyber security, it also comes with its distinctive drawbacks. Another issue is that of bias; bias in the systems can mean that outputs are either inaccurate or inefficient. For example, AI such as facial recognition has been identified to be less efficient for women, an aspect that poses a big threat to national security. Furthermore, over-reliance on AI systems makes people create a false sense of security, leading to complacency and a lack of human oversight.
Sri Lanka's AI needs to be clear (explainable), traceable (who made the decision), and fair (no bias against women) to build trust and to make sure that it helps everyone, and not just some. This is important because Sri Lanka's AI is new, and they can build it right from the start. That can be done through the development of credible and sustainable ethical principles and policies that address the creation and use of AI. Furthermore, Sri Lanka should focus on the development of educational initiatives that would make people more aware of digital technology-related risks and cyber security, for women and other vulnerable populations in particular.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka has a unique opportunity to leverage AI for a dual purpose: for the promotion of women’s rights and the improvement of the security situation in the country. Imagine Sri Lanka building a brand-new home (AI) with solid women's rights underpinnings. This is not like other nations that are renovating older homes (AI that already exists) to accommodate women in the future. Hence, by opening up more opportunities through the application of funding towards AI for her initiatives and encouraging women’s participation in the field of cyber security, Sri Lanka should attempt to ensure a better tomorrow for its people.
(The writer is an Intern [Research] at the Institute of National Security Studies under the Ministry of Defence. The opinions expressed are her own and not necessarily reflective of the Institute or the Ministry)
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication