Write an essay on the Factors That Make the US Vulnerable to Ransomware Attacks
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: Understanding the Vulnerabilities of the US to Ransomware Attacks
Introduction
Ransomware attacks have been a growing concern for organizations and individuals globally, and the United States is not immune to this threat. In recent years, the US has experienced several high-profile ransomware attacks, causing significant disruption to businesses, government agencies, and critical infrastructure. This essay aims to explore the factors that make the US vulnerable to ransomware attacks and to provide insights into potential solutions to mitigate these vulnerabilities.
Thesis Statement
The vulnerability of the United States to ransomware attacks stems from a combination of factors, including inadequate cybersecurity measures, reliance on legacy systems, lack of standardized security protocols, and the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals. Addressing these vulnerabilities requires a multi-faceted approach that involves proactive cybersecurity measures, investment in modernizing infrastructure, and enhanced collaboration between public and private sectors.
Inadequate Cybersecurity Measures
One of the primary factors contributing to the vulnerability of the US to ransomware attacks is the presence of inadequate cybersecurity measures across various sectors. Many organizations, including government agencies and businesses, have been slow to adopt robust cybersecurity protocols, leaving them susceptible to exploitation by cybercriminals. Additionally, the lack of comprehensive cybersecurity training and awareness among employees further exacerbates this vulnerability.
Reliance on Legacy Systems
Another significant vulnerability is the widespread reliance on legacy systems in both public and private sectors. Many critical infrastructure systems, such as those in the energy and healthcare industries, are built on outdated technology that may not have been designed with modern cybersecurity threats in mind. This reliance on legacy systems creates opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities and launch ransomware attacks with potentially devastating consequences.
Lack of Standardized Security Protocols
The absence of standardized security protocols across different sectors also contributes to the US’s vulnerability to ransomware attacks. In many cases, there is a lack of uniformity in cybersecurity practices, making it challenging to establish a cohesive defense against evolving cyber threats. This fragmentation leaves gaps that cybercriminals can exploit to infiltrate systems and deploy ransomware, posing a significant risk to national security and economic stability.
Increasing Sophistication of Cybercriminals
Moreover, the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals presents a formidable challenge in defending against ransomware attacks. As cybercriminals develop more advanced tactics and tools, they can bypass traditional security measures and target vulnerabilities within IT systems. This constant evolution of attack methods requires a proactive and adaptive approach to cybersecurity to stay ahead of potential threats.
Mitigating Vulnerabilities
Addressing the vulnerabilities of the US to ransomware attacks requires a comprehensive and collaborative effort. It is imperative for organizations and government agencies to prioritize cybersecurity by investing in modernizing infrastructure, implementing robust security measures, and fostering a culture of cyber awareness. Proactive measures such as regular system updates, data encryption, and network segmentation can help mitigate the risk of ransomware attacks.
Furthermore, collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential in sharing threat intelligence, establishing best practices, and coordinating incident response efforts. By working together, stakeholders can enhance their collective resilience against ransomware attacks and better protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the vulnerability of the United States to ransomware attacks is a complex issue influenced by multiple factors, including inadequate cybersecurity measures, reliance on legacy systems, lack of standardized security protocols, and the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals. Addressing these vulnerabilities requires a concerted effort to modernize infrastructure, improve cybersecurity practices, and foster collaboration between stakeholders. By taking proactive steps to enhance resilience against ransomware attacks, the US can better safeguard its critical assets and minimize the potential impact of cyber threats on national security and economic stability.
