The global information society is the result of further universal progress modernisation each modernization brings along various risks that tackle societies in all domains of living and human existence in general. The major premises of reflexive modernization theory are applied in this article in the context of cyber security culture. Authors of this article accentuate the fact that rapid development of information and communication technologies increase more serious and deeper society risks such are cyber-criminal activities, cyber terrorism, various religion, and political radicalism. Technologies in the current context are producing risks within societies. It is in general terms a potential risk itself. Risks within society increase when technologies are instrumentalized against laws and ethics based on universal human principles and conditions.

Today’s everyday life is based upon information and communication technologies that are in this context do not represent a tool for avoiding or destroying various risks but present a powerful tool for their construction, instrumentalization and fast dissemination.

The concept of risk society is brought to the link with concepts of wars and terrors, economic globalization, neoliberalism, concept of the state and sovereignty, but it is furthermore widen with an idea of contemporary technological progress, ‘risk technologies’ creating consequences beyond any control and regulation.

The aim of this article is not to present any critique related to a progress, but it is a simple ‘out of any ideology’ scope of opinions and ideas, which accentuate the misuse and exploitation of technologies, stressing out the need for solider cyber security culture.    

New information and technology global apparatus provide perfect technocrat and bureaucratic organization of social system with a risk of absolute control of human behaviour and actions, and all types of risks within societies that are generated via information and communication technologies. These circumstances re-opened discussions on risks society phenomenology and its impact on awareness concerning cyber security culture. Specific re-opening is related to theories of Zygmunt Bauman and Ulrich Beck and their thoughts on the idea of modernization and progress in general.

Sociological context of risk society

When speaking about modernity, Bauman considers that it is necessary to reinvent a new terminology that will be suitable for identification of ideas and understanding of the world and epoch in which we are living now. In this respect, he changed the term postmodernity into the theory about “fluid” modernity. Fluids are considered as liquid condition and the term such is “fluency”, often changing shapes not relating to the space neither to the time. Bauman stresses out that ‘dilution of everything that is solid is the primary task and objective of modernity but also its permanent characteristic [1]. This process comprised all domains of living, but in time, it all got a completely new connotation and direction. One of the most important indicators of this change of paradigm was the question of order and system within political agenda. In other words, this paradigm was directed towards the dilution of links that were connecting and intersecting decisions of individuals with collective projects and actions – patterns of communication and coordination, life politics that are implemented individually on one side, and on the other side, political actions of human collective (Bauman, 2001:13). The reference was Michel Foucault and his panopticon example, as a metaphor for modern power, embodied in the prison within where prisoners were not able to go out, always stay in their positions monitored by the guard without knowledge of where guard are exactly. The secret of this power, according to Bauman, was in prevalence of time, and freedom of movement was a condition of the power. According to Bauman, emancipation is a freedom, release, so he states: “Human being is free unless his imagination is not bigger than his real desires and unless neither imagination neither desires don’t exceed his capability for action” [1], so the balance is created or by reducing imagination and desires or strengthening his capabilities for action. Together with Bauman, we wonder whether liberation is a blessing or curse, because people are sometimes scared and willingly avoid liberation in order to keep their security and peace because “truth that sets them free is mostly the truth that people would not like to hear” [1]. In Bauman’s words, there is no other way but to be subordinated to the society and follow its norms [1]. The liquid society is also burdened by the decline of the idea of democracy, as we are accustomed to considering it. Thanks to the process of globalisation, that is, the negative globalisation, which undermines the rights and identity of minorities, power has been spread all over the planet, so it is no longer “localised” in one precise place. The conditions of uncertainty, loneliness and fear for the future of the global citizen do not find solution in the institutions: thus society is no longer protected by the state: it is exposed to the rapacity of forces it does not control (ibid.). 

According to Bauman, forms of modern life may differ in quite a few respects – but what unites them all is precisely their fragility, temporariness, vulnerability, and inclination to constant change. To ‘be modern’ means to modernize – compulsively, obsessively; not so much just ‘to be’, let alone to keep its identity intact, but forever ‘becoming’, avoiding completion, staying underdefined. Each new structure which replaces the previous one as soon as it is declared old-fashioned and past its use-by date is only another momentary settlement – acknowledged as temporary and ‘until further notice’. Being always, at any stage and at all times, ‘post-something’ is also an undetachable feature of modernity. As time flows on, ‘modernity’ changes its forms in the manner of the legendary Proteus . . . What was some time ago dubbed (erroneously) 'post-modernity' and what I've chosen to call, more to the point, 'liquid modernity', is the growing conviction that change is the only permanence, and uncertainty the only certainty.

A hundred years ago 'to be modern' meant to chase 'the final state of perfection' -- now it means an infinity of improvement, with no 'final state' in sight and unwanted [1].

In the context of ‘solid’ or in Bauman’s words “hardware modernity” the main goal was in a conquest of space or in separation of time from space. Separation of time from space - through making the speed of movement dependent on technological artifice and movement of information independent of the transport of bodies - has led eventually to the passage from heavy (hardware) to light (software) modernity. The result is devaluation of space and duration and profound transformation in the structure of domination and life-politics [2]. The speed of events and susceptibility to sudden change are combined with permeability, because of the development and the ease of communications, which enables information to arrive in real time, reaching every nook and cranny of society, and cause unpredictable effects (ibid.).

Additionally, Ulrich Beck’s concept of risk society, which appeared from obsolescence of modern industry, is marked by reflexive modernization of post-industrial society. The ecological crisis is central to this social analysis of the contemporary period. Beck argued that environmental risks had become the predominant product, not just an unpleasant, manageable side-effect, of industrial society [3]. He claims that risk society starts when social systems that are in charge of security simply terminate. It depends upon decisions systems make, namely economic, technical decisions, taking into the consideration various cultural diversities, control over all parts of the system. In this context, society becomes reflexive, it becomes subject and an issue for itself. In other words, industrial society has created many new dangers of risks unidentified in previous times. The risks associated with global warming are one example. In the present era of industrialization, the nature of risk has endured incredible change. Previously, there was no absence of risk. But these risks were natural threats or dangers. There was earthquake, there was epidemic, there was famine and there were floods. But, the risks in the modern society are created by our own social development and by the development of science and technology [3].

According to Beck, the world has become so complex that the idea of a power in which everything comes together and can be controlled in a centralized way is now erroneous [3]. Furthermore, technology produces new forms of risks and we are constantly required to respond and adjust to these changes. The risk society, he argues, is not limited to environmental and health risks alone, it includes a whole series of interrelated changes within contemporary social life such as shifting employment patterns, heightened job insecurity, declining influence of tradition and custom, erosion of traditional family patterns and democratization of personal relations.

Risk society in global information spectrum

Here, we are talking about risks that embodied information and communication technologies and their rapidly development. The risk society is the way we manage today global risks that is in the current times a necessity of a primary importance. Various processes in cyber space are surpassing national borders and it is getting very difficult to control and regulate them. Most of all those are cyber-criminal activities, cyber terrorism, various religion and political radicalism. New information and communication technologies are creating a culture for a ‘new kind of totalitarianism’, precisely absolute control over human being by computers, mobile phones, Internet, satellite technologies, Internet data base, various cameras in private and public spaces. According to many theorists, starting from Michel Foucault, it is about new control of human behaviour and actions. This type of control uses the most sophisticated technologies, repetitively creating a new ‘global enemy’. This is the way a public and society’s mobilization starts led by constant fear from the other and others. These fears are created by media to preserve the masses under control. Those fears are followed by other uncertainties such are loss of jobs, debtor’s prison, over-borrowing, climate changes that are already mentioned, sexual transmitted diseases, biological and technical viruses together with present Covid-19 pandemic. Those are generated, controlled, and manipulated fears that keep every society and community together. It does not mean that dangers don’t exists, but it is about the way to produce stress, shock, terror, and misperceptions. It is all more problematized with massive migrations all over the world.

As previously underlined, information and communication technologies are breaking all borders that creates global international network, which is beyond of control of national and state institutions. Among these actions on the Net, there are plenty of global risks. In the current context, all risks are transferred from the physical to the cyber space. That is why today we talk about cyber wars, cyber surveillance, cyber espionage, cyber extremisms, cybercriminal in various shapes and forms, cyber xenophobia, cyber pathologies, etc.

In the contemporary context, technologies are also producing risks within societies. It is in general terms a potential risk itself. Unless it is used according to legal and ethical principles, it is not a risk. Risk increases when technologies are instrumentalized against laws and ethics based on universal human principles and conditions. But within the rapid development of technologies, the society risks increase and intensify [3].

Managing the risk society within global information society

Risk assessments and risk security are the one of the most important activities related to societies of the second modern epoch. There are various institutions that are dealing with risk assessment and security. For example, The World Economic Forum regularly publishes the Global Risks Report determining the main areas of global risks society. According the Report for 2021, growing digital divides and technology adoption pose concerns COVID-19 has accelerated the Fourth Industrial Revolution, expanding the digitalization of human interaction, e-commerce, online education and remote work. These shifts will transform society long after the pandemic and promise huge benefits - the ability to telework and rapid vaccine development are two examples - but they also risk exacerbating and creating inequalities. Respondents to the GRPS rated “digital inequality” as a critical short-term threat. A widening digital gap can worsen societal fractures and undermine prospects for an inclusive recovery. Progress towards digital inclusivity is threatened by growing digital dependency, rapidly accelerating automation, information suppression and manipulation, gaps in technology regulation and gaps in technology skills and capabilities [4].

While the digital leap forward unlocked opportunities for some youth, many are now entering the workforce in an employment ice age. Young adults worldwide are experiencing their second major global crisis in a decade. Already exposed to environmental degradation, the consequences of the financial crisis, rising inequality, and disruption from industrial transformation, this generation faces serious challenges to their education, economic prospects and mental health. According to the GRPS, the risk of “youth disillusionment” is being largely neglected by the global community, but it will become a critical threat to the world in the short term. Hard-fought societal wins could be obliterated if the current generation lacks adequate pathways to future opportunities and loses faith in today’s economic and political institutions [4]. Growing societal fragmentation—manifested through persistent and emerging risks to human health, rising unemployment, widening digital divides, and youth disillusionment—can have severe consequences in an era of compounded economic, environmental, geopolitical, and technological risks. The gap between the “haves” and “have-nots” will widen further if technology access and ability remain disparate. The world’s youth have faced exceptional pressures in the past decade and are particularly vulnerable to missing out altogether on the opportunities of the next (ibid.). Among the highest likelihood risks of the next ten years are extreme weather, climate action failure and human-led environmental damage; as well as digital power concentration, digital inequality, and cybersecurity failure. Among the highest impact risks of the next decade, infectious diseases are in the top spot, followed by climate action failure and other environmental risks, as well as weapons of mass destruction, livelihood crises, debt crises and IT infrastructure breakdown (ibid.).

Based upon this Report we can speak about so called ‘risks net’ and we have accentuated risks that are related to information and communication technology. To accomplish activities related to risks management in a global society, it is still important to create and improve global cooperation and interaction of governments and states in the world, corporations, civil society sector, international macroregional organizations, agencies, military alliances, etc., what ensembles to the definition of global management as the action of several actors in the surveillance of global risk society. Firstly, it was related to the physical environment mainly directed towards management of global climate changes. Later, this concept was implemented on economy, politics, security, science, and information technology resulting in cyber risks. Mentioned cyber risks are mostly the result of human weaknesses, egoisms, maliciousness, and generally dark side of human nature. Cyber risks brought up to the global attention the need for stronger risk management and development of cyber security culture. This involved many institutions among which ones are educational institutions as well. As it could be concluded, it is about the network of various organizations and institutions involved in this serious process using so called policy concept.

Policy concept is defined as various security measures on the level of global technology information risk society. It is consisted out of diverse set of legal norms and regulations, educational programmes, which create security policy on a global level. Moreover, it refers to the policy of various data base protection and security of information together with erasing potential data base vulnerabilities. 

Information society, taking into the consideration new media is the highest point of freedom of thought and actions. It is very often that this type of freedom is misused for a criminal purpose. Societies of the second modern epoch are crucified between borderless freedom and security. On the other side, additional control and surveillance brings up the serious questions of human rights and integrity. But that is topic for another article. What will be the outcome of this rapid technology and communication development it is hard to say still. The end of history is not yet arrived because that technology and science did not finish their accomplishments. It is only about the dynamic transformational process of today’s societies and civilization in general. What was before present only in scient fiction novels and movies, it is now our reality.

Our idea was to remind one more time that technologies provided transition from industrial to the global information society and that we should be constantly aware of various risks that this  progress is bringing along all its advantages and benefits. Bearing in mind the significance and vital role of cyber security and risk management within global risk society. We are essentially talking about cyber culture and serious hazards that this culture has brought to us.

1.Bauman Z. Teku?a modernost,Zagreb:Naklada Pelago, 2011.

2.Bauman Z. Time and Space Reunited.2000.

3.Beck U. Risk Society:Towards a New Modernity, SAGE. 1996.

4.World Economic Forum.The Global Risks Report. 2021.