Information security is a term used to describe the practice of protecting information from unauthorized access, use, modification, destruction, or disclosure. It is also known as cybersecurity. Taoism, on the other hand, is an ancient Chinese philosophy that promotes harmony, balance, and acceptance of the natural world. Despite their apparent differences, Taoism and information security have many similarities.

At the most basic level, information security and Taoism both focus on the idea of balance. In information security, this balance is achieved by protecting computer systems, networks, and other data sources from unauthorized access and threats, while allowing legitimate users to access the information they need. Similarly, Taoism emphasizes the idea of a “balanced way of life” in which one acts in accordance with nature and the natural order of things. In addition to this shared focus on balance, both Taoism and information security also emphasize the importance of understanding the environment in which they exist.

In the context of information security, the environment includes the hardware, software, and people that are involved in the processes of collecting, storing, and using data. To ensure the security and integrity of this environment, information security professionals must understand the threats that exist and the measures that can be taken to protect against them In Taoism, the environment includes the physical and spiritual elements that make up the individual, as well as the relationships between people and the physical and spiritual worlds. To live a balanced life, Taoists must understand the natural laws of the world and how to harmonize with them.

Finally, both Taoism and information security emphasize the need to be proactive. In information security, this means staying ahead of potential threats by regularly patching and updating systems, monitoring for suspicious activity, and employing proactive security measures such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems. Taoism, on the other hand, encourages individuals to take proactive steps to stay in balance with the natural laws of the world. This can involve anything from daily meditation and mindfulness practices to actively seeking out experiences that bring one in harmony with nature. Though Taoism and information security may seem like two very different topics, they actually have much in common. Both promote the idea of balance, emphasize the importance of understanding one’s environment, and encourage individuals to take proactive steps to stay in balance with the world. By recognizing the similarities between the two, we can gain a better understanding of how to protect our information and live a balanced life.

The above was created by a chatbot with the prompt “Contrast Taoism and Information Security”. It is a little scary just how well it wrote this blurb, something that higher education is terrified of already. Some students have already been caught using it for writing papers which I am sure will only grow worse in time. It will be interesting to see where this technology will take us in the future though. And before you ask, no I won’t be using it to write my blog posts (much 😉 ).