Which cybersecurity and privacy challenges affect digital cities?
A study on cybersecurity and privacy challenges in digital cities
Abstract
The evolution of digital cities in the world is as a result of emerging innovations in information technology. Although information technology innovations create economic opportunities, it comes with privacy challenges. Humans interact daily with technology devices such as smartphones, security devices, smart energy meter and smart appliances used in many cities. The standards of interconnecting public venues, cars, homes and social systems are still ongoing. The interconnection of networks leads to improved quality of life. Currently, city infrastructure and services utilize interconnection of networks for automation, control and monitoring. Intelligent public and private transportations access interconnected data from weather, Global positioning Satellite and traffic updates. Integration of systems also assists in emergency response, public safety and disaster recovery. Privacy issues arise when data for the digital citizen is available, putting them at risk of been identified. The security elements consist of physical disruptions as a result of an attack that limit the availability of services, including illegal access to information. Systems that protect privacy through gathering and triggering of emergency response are the same that pose a security threat. The implementation of privacy-protecting systems is essential for the development of a digital city. The study examines the privacy challenges involved with interactions between people, things and servers in digital cities.