Cyberspace

Cyberspace is a concept describing a widespread, interconnected digital technology. The term entered the popular culture from science fiction and the arts but is now used by technology strategists, security professionals, government, military, and industry leaders.

Etymology

The word "cyberspace" was coined by the science fiction writer William Gibson in his 1982 short story "Burning Chrome" and popularized by his 1984 novel Neuromancer. The term is often used to describe the virtual environment of computer networks and the Internet.

Definition

Cyberspace refers to the virtual computer world, and more specifically, an electronic medium used to form a global computer network to facilitate online communication. It is a domain characterized by the use of electronics and the electromagnetic spectrum to store, modify, and exchange data via networked systems and associated physical infrastructures.

Components

Cyberspace is composed of various elements, including:

• Internet: A global system of interconnected computer networks that use the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link devices worldwide.
• World Wide Web: An information system where documents and other web resources are identified by Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), interlinked by hypertext, and accessible via the Internet.
• Virtual reality: A simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world.
• Social media: Interactive technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks.

Applications

Cyberspace has numerous applications, including:

• E-commerce: Buying and selling of goods and services over the Internet.
• Telecommunication: Transmission of information over significant distances to communicate.
• Online education: Education that takes place over the Internet.
• Cybersecurity: Protection of internet-connected systems, including hardware, software, and data, from cyberattacks.

Security and Governance

The governance of cyberspace involves various stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, private sector entities, and civil society. Key issues include:

• Cybercrime: Criminal activities carried out by means of computers or the Internet.
• Cyberwarfare: The use of digital attacks by one nation to disrupt the computer systems of another.
• Data privacy: The aspect of information technology that deals with the ability of an organization or individual to determine what data in a computer system can be shared with third parties.

Related Concepts

• Digital divide: The gap between those who have ready access to computers and the Internet, and those who do not.
• Information society: A society where the creation, distribution, and manipulation of information has become the most significant economic and cultural activity.
• Network neutrality: The principle that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites.

See Also

• Internet of Things
• Artificial intelligence
• Big data
• Cloud computing
• Digital transformation