Guardians of the Digital Age: Securing the Future

by Elçin Biren

Overview

The internet wasn’t built for time travelers. But when ethical hacker and mother Elsa and her 14-year-old son, Aiden, uncover a hidden code buried deep within cyberspace, they are pulled into a high-stakes journey through cybersecurity history – from the birth of ARPANET in 1969 to the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven cyberwars of 2040.

Their mission? Trace the origins of digital security before an unknown force alters history and reshapes the future of technology forever. As they jump across decades, they encounter internet pioneers, legendary hackers, and cyber-rebels who changed the digital world. But not everything in the past wants to stay in the past.

Real dangers lurk in the timeline. Elsa and Aiden must navigate malware, mass surveillance, cyberwarfare, and a growing mystery that threatens the foundation of the internet itself. As they race against time, they also face their own fears and shifting trust in each other.

A thrilling bridge between past and future, this book introduces parents and teens to the evolution of the internet and the most essential skill of our time – digital security.

The future is written in code – but cybersecurity is about trust and humanity. Will they protect it, or rewrite it?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032802244
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	09/09/2025
Series:	Security, Audit and Leadership Series
Pages:	206
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Elçin Biren is a seasoned, award-winning cybersecurity leader with 20 years of experience. With a background in industrial engineering, ethical hacking, and executive leadership, she brings a unique, multidimensional perspective to the evolving threat landscape.

As CEO of SwissCyberSmart and Global AI Ambassador, Elçin has led major cyber risk initiatives and advised global organizations on security strategy, compliance, and ethical AI adoption. She has served as a CISO advisor, cyber risk manager, and strategist, and currently sits on various international advisory boards and councils shaping the future of digital safety.

A frequent keynote speaker and guest lecturer across academic platforms and global conferences, Elçin is also a mentor and advocate for women in tech, passionately working to make cybersecurity more diverse, inclusive, and accessible.

As a mother of two, she has seen firsthand the digital threats facing children in today’s AI-driven world. Her personal experience fuels her mission to educate and empower not just professionals, but also parents, educators, and everyday individuals.

Table of Contents

Contents

Chapter 1: Lucid Dreams and Chasing Digital Ghosts

Chapter 2: Opening Pandora's Box (1969)

Chapter 3: The First Glitches (1970s)

Chapter 4: Creating the Digital Twin (2028)

Chapter 5: The Worm in the System (1988)

Chapter 6: Social Engineering and the Dark Web’s Genesis (1990s)

Chapter 7: The Dawn of the Web and Its Ripples (1993)

Chapter 8: Family Legacy Unveiled (2000s)

Chapter 9: The Rise of Social Media, Identity Theft, and Manipulation (2000s)

Chapter 10: The Midpoint Crisis – The Dark Web’s Growth (2010s)

Chapter 11: IoT, A Web of Vulnerabilities (late 2010s)

Chapter 12: Shaping Minds, Shaping Worlds: Algorithms and the Battle for Attention (2020s)

Chapter 13: The AI Illusion: Fighting for Reality and Ethical Dilemmas (2035)

Chapter 14: Guardians of History—Restoring Reality (2035)

Chapter 15: ChronoCyber—Securing Tomorrow's Hope (2028)

Chapter 16: The Quantum Cipher of Legacy- Year: [Access Restricted]