Nature vs nurture and the future of cybersecurity

In today’s interconnected world, human life has become increasingly dependent on the cyber world. It is a space that, much like the spiritual world, has no physical form but still deeply influences our lives. Different faiths offer different ways to access the spiritual dimension. In a similar way, digital connectivity allows us to enter a world that exists beyond what we can see or touch.


Objects in our physical world move in three dimensions, such as length, width and height. But they remain bound by time and cannot move through it. Cyberspace, on the other hand, is different. It moves through time in a way the physical world never can. In the digital space, data can be copied, altered, sent into the future or pulled from the past. It can be stored, retrieved and reshaped almost instantly, no matter where it is or when it was created. This gives the cyber world a kind of freedom that simply does not exist in the material world.


From our personal routines to national security systems, the impact of the cyber world has become all-encompassing. A clear example of this was seen during the recent India Pakistan conflict. India’s use of advanced digital technology played a key role in neutralising threats and responding with precision to a nation that sponsors terrorism. This was not just about military power. It showed how digital warfare, cyber intelligence and secure networks are now central to modern conflict.


The incident made one thing very clear. In today’s world, battles are not won by missiles and tanks alone. They are won by the strength of information systems, the speed of secure networks and the ability to respond with resilience in the digital space.


Almost every part of life now runs on this digital backbone. From banking and healthcare to communication, design, and decision-making supported by artificial intelligence, the digital world silently governs our routines. Interestingly, it does so without possessing any physical existence. It transcends the material dimension operating on a plane that allows data to move seamlessly across both space and time. While humans remain bound by the three physical axes, cyberspace functions with a fluidity that treats time almost like a navigable axis. It is this logic driven dimension that powers interactions, commerce, governance, and security.


Digital connectivity, which many associate with internet speed or signal strength, is far more profound. It refers to logical connections that allow devices to communicate across vast distances independent of location. This is enabled by TCP/IP, the Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol, a foundational communication standard that governs how data is split into packets, routed, transmitted, and reassembled between machines. Whether two devices are on opposite sides of a city or even on different continents, TCP/IP enables seamless communication. Its robustness is so advanced that if networks ever existed on another planet or even in a different dimension, TCP/IP would still function as the common language of machines.


However, this seamless interconnectivity brings with it a significant vulnerability. Every time a connection is made, a door opens. These doors designed for functionality and communication can also invite threats if not properly secured. The digital space is constantly scanned by malicious actors searching for weaknesses. With the evolution of artificial intelligence, these threats have become more advanced, automated, and tailored. AI driven cyberattacks can predict behaviors, mimic authentic communication, and exploit emotional responses. The consequences of a single misstep can be catastrophic.


To navigate this complex environment, it is helpful to turn to a well-established concept in psychology known as nature versus nurture. Originally proposed by Sir Francis Galton, this theory debates whether human development is shaped more by inherent traits or by environmental influences. This concept finds a meaningful parallel in cybersecurity. Nature in this context refers to the inherent architecture of a digital system, its design, software vulnerabilities, coding errors, and structural limitations. These are the qualities a system is born with. Every computing device comes equipped with a BIOS or Basic Input Output System, a fundamental component responsible for initializing hardware and ensuring that the basic components of the machine are functioning properly. Immediately upon switching on a system, the BIOS runs a built-in diagnostic process known as POST or Power On Self Test. This test checks essential hardware components such as memory, keyboard, and storage devices to ensure they are operational before the operating system is loaded. It is a system’s way of checking itself before proceeding, much like a human performing basic reflex tests. But just as humans require education, discipline, and nurturing habits to thrive in society, digital systems too demand regular updates, careful configurations, and thoughtful usage practices to stay secure and functional in the long run.


To contrast this, the story of Dina Sanichar, the feral child discovered in India in the 19th century, offers a powerful example of the impact of nurture or the lack of it. Although Dina was biologically human, his early years among wolves deprived him of human behavior, language, and reasoning. His mind and body adapted to the environment in which he was raised. The consequences were irreversible. He could never fully integrate into human society not because of a flaw in nature but due to an absence of nurturing.


This is exactly how digital systems behave. A device can be structurally perfect, but without proper usage, updates, and security practices, it becomes vulnerable. On the other hand, a modest system can remain safe if managed wisely. The consequences of ignoring this balance are frequently seen in the form of data breaches, ransomware attacks, or financial fraud. The most dangerous of these are not caused by deep system flaws but by simple human mistakes like reused passwords, clicking on malicious links, or falling prey to manipulated messages.


Social engineering has taken these threats to an entirely new level. Attackers no longer need to crack passwords or break encryption. They simply manipulate people. These manipulations use psychological stimuli such as urgency, fear, or authority to make a person act impulsively. A well-crafted phishing message, a fake alert from a bank, or a message appearing to come from a colleague can all trick an otherwise cautious individual. The consequences are direct and often immediate such as unauthorized access, financial loss, or even national level data breaches.
In such a landscape, psychological resilience becomes a crucial layer of defense. Awareness is not enough. A person must nurture healthy digital habits to resist manipulation. These include creating strong and unique passwords for each service, enabling two-factor authentication, updating software regularly, and being skeptical of unexpected messages or offers. Avoiding sensitive transactions on public networks and verifying the source of requests are also vital. These habits do not emerge overnight. They must be consciously nurtured and reinforced over time.


Good cybersecurity hygiene is the digital equivalent of a healthy lifestyle. Just as exercise and nutrition build physical immunity, cautious online behavior builds digital immunity. It helps reduce the attack surface and prevents opportunistic exploits. Most importantly, it prepares individuals to think before reacting. Emotional decisions made under pressure are exactly what attackers rely on. Deliberate and informed choices reduce that risk.
The consequences of poor nurturing in cybersecurity can cascade. A single employee’s mistake can expose an entire organization. An untrained child clicking a random link can compromise a household's entire digital network. On a larger scale, inadequate national cyber policies can endanger critical infrastructure including power grids, healthcare systems, or defense operations. This is why cybersecurity can no longer be treated as a technical issue alone. It is a behavioral, educational, and cultural responsibility.


Organizations must recognize that human behavior is often the weakest link in digital security. Regular training sessions simulated phishing tests, and open reporting mechanisms must become standard practice. Schools and colleges should introduce digital safety as part of their curriculum. Families should hold discussions about responsible device use. Each of these practices contributes to a culture of preparedness. It transforms users from passive consumers into active defenders of digital spaces.


Even as artificial intelligence becomes a double-edged sword used by both attackers and defenders, it remains true that technology alone cannot guarantee safety. AI can detect threats in real time, respond to attacks, and even learn from them. But it cannot replace human judgment. A system that is secure in design can still fail due to human error. And conversely, a person with awareness can protect even a vulnerable system by using it wisely.
The convergence of nature and nurture in cybersecurity teaches an important lesson. Strong systems must be supported by smart users. The consequences of separating the two can be catastrophic. Just as a healthy body needs both genetic strength and good habits, a secure digital presence requires robust architecture and responsible behavior. This partnership between system and user is the foundation of cyber resilience.


In the future, digital space will grow only more integrated with human life. Everyday objects are becoming smart, decisions are being automated, and warfare is shifting from physical battlegrounds to invisible networks. The digital world has already shown its power to shape outcomes whether in personal life or national defense. It has become the new frontier of control.


Cybersecurity therefore is not just a technical skill. It is a way of thinking. It demands discipline, skepticism, and constant learning. The consequences of failing to adapt are no longer theoretical. They are happening in real time across the globe. But with the right mindset and habits, individuals and societies can build a defense that no code alone can provide.


A safer digital future is not something to be hoped for. It is something to be nurtured. Every click, every login, every connection is a choice. And every choice either strengthens or weakens the digital bond that holds this interconnected world together. In this shared space responsibility must be as widespread as connectivity.
In the end cybersecurity is not just about protecting systems. It is about safeguarding dignity, trust, and the very essence of human life in the digital age.