Cyber Insecurity: Examining the Past, Defining the Future

by Vladas Leonas

Overview

Cyber Insecurity: Examining the Past, Defining the Future deals with the multifaceted world of cybersecurity, starting with the premise that while perfection in cybersecurity may be unattainable, significant improvements can be made through understanding history and fostering innovation. Vladas Leonas shares his journey from Moscow to Australia, highlighting his academic and professional milestones.

This book covers the evolution of cybersecurity from the late 1960s to the present, detailing significant events and technological advancements. The author emphasises the importance of simplicity in technology projects, citing complexity as a major hindrance to success. The book also discusses the impact of the digital revolution, using the example of a global IT outage caused by a faulty software update.

Project management methodologies are explored, tracing their origins from ancient civilisations to modern techniques such as CPM and PERT. The concept of cloud computing is examined, highlighting its benefits and potential security issues. The evolution and advantages of SaaS solutions are also discussed, noting their increased adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The author then addresses supply chain challenges, using real-world examples to illustrate vulnerabilities. He traces the history of communication methods leading up to TCP/IP and discusses the development and importance of DNS. The differences between compliance and conformance in cybersecurity are clarified, emphasising that compliance does not equate to security.

Key cybersecurity standards such as the NIST CSF and ISO/IEC 27000 series are examined. The book also covers the Essential 8, a set of cybersecurity controls developed by the Australian Signals Directorate. The convergence of OT and IoT is discussed, highlighting the cybersecurity risks associated with this integration.

Emerging threats from AI and quantum computing are explored, noting their potential to both advance and threaten cybersecurity. The evolving legal landscape of cybersecurity is also covered, emphasising the need for international cooperation and innovative legal solutions.

In conclusion, the book stresses the importance of critical thinking and a holistic approach to cybersecurity, advocating for simplicity and foundational practices to enhance security.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781040370513
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	06/16/2025
Series:	Security, Audit and Leadership Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	367
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Vladas Leonas has over 45 years of experience in ICT and cybersecurity, which includes a variety of public and private sector industries as well as tertiary education organisations. He is also a member of the Commonwealth and NSW Governments ICT Assurance Panels and a formally trained auditor (ISO 9001 and ISO27001). Over the last seven years, Vladas consulted a number of organisations, including UNSW, icare (NSW State Workers Compensation Insurance Company) and a variety of NSW Government Departments. He is also the author of 50+ publications and an internationally recognised speaker. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Australian Graduate School of Leadership and a Principal Supervisor of four doctoral students. He is a subject matter expert and specialises in ICT strategies, their implementation and ICT operations, gateway reviews and internal audits, enterprise risk management, cybersecurity, governance, procurement and compliance. Over the last 25 years, Dr Leonas has held eight CIO and CTO positions. He earned a doctoral degree at the Moscow Aviation Institute and a GAICD from AICD via AGSM in Sydney. He is a Fellow of the Australian Computer Society and a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australia.

Table of Contents

1. The beginnings. 2. Cybersecurity or cyber security?. 3. History of computing (von Neumann architecture). 4. Complexity is your enemy. 5. Digital revolution and its consequences. 6. Project management methodologies. 7. Head in the Cloud. 8. SaaS solutions. 9. Understanding supply chain challenges. 10. Before TCP/IP: From switching circuits to switching packets. 11. TCP/IP. 12. DNS and BGP. 13. Compliance, conformance and security. 14. Standards. 15. Essential 8 Myth. 16. OT and IoT. 17. Tyranny of KPIs (and OKRs). 18. Emerging threats – AI. 19. Emerging threats: Quantum computers and quantum computing. 20. Evolving legal landscape.

Editorial Reviews

"Cyber Insecurity: Examining the Past, Defining the Future is a must-read for anyone serious about enhancing their organisation’s cybersecurity posture. Unlike typical guides that offer generic solutions, this book delves into the historical context of cybersecurity, prompting readers to think critically about their unique challenges. Written by Dr. Vladas Leonas, an experienced Chief Information Officer (CIO), the book eases readers into the complexities of cybersecurity by explaining foundational concepts in information and communication technology (ICT). Its easy-to-read style requires no prior technical knowledge, making it accessible to management practitioners in industry and government, as well as students seeking an introduction to cybersecurity."

- Dr Heinz Herrmann, Associate Professor, School of Business, Torrens University Australia

"As an IT professional with over 40 years experience, most of it at a very senior level, I throughly recommend this book to all CEOs, CIOs and CISOs who want to better understand how various technologies have developed and the impact that decisions made (in good faith) in the past are having on today's and tomorrow's digital landscape. 

The work is meticulously researched, fully referenced and provides a rich resource. It changed my perspective on many of the elements of our digital society and prompted me to rethink things that I had long taken for granted."

- Jim Hegarty

Dr. Vladas Leonas has authored a truly remarkable work that masterfully chronicles the evolution of the digital realm. This book is not just an exploration but a deep dive into the intricate and interconnected networks and infrastructures that form the backbone of our digital world. With an incredible depth of knowledge and decades of hands-on experience, Dr. Leonas unravels how these systems are designed to function in harmony, illustrating their intended congruence and mutual reliance.

However, what'sets this book apart is its incisive examination of the real-world challenges that disrupt this harmony. Dr. Leonas sheds light on the vulnerabilities and compromised positions that arise from errors, oversights, and, too often, negligence born of insufficient understanding. The insights are both profound and practical, making this work not only a scholarly triumph but also a critical resource for addressing and mitigating the gaps in digital infrastructure.

This excellent book is essential reading for a wide audience. For academia, it offers a robust foundation and an inspiring narrative of technological progression. For C-suite executives, it provides invaluable lessons on the strategic imperatives of cybersecurity and systems integrity. And for anyone passionate about computing and the Internet, it is an enlightening journey into the complexities of the digital world.

Dr. Leonas’ work is a must-read, delivering both intellectual rigor and practical relevance. Highly recommended for those seeking to understand and shape the future of our interconnected digital ecosystem. 

Andrew Jenkinson | Group CEO | Cybersec Innovation Partners Ltd

From the Publisher