The Theme of Dangerous Knowledge in Frankenstein

Frankenstein is a Novella written by Mary Shelly. The fantasy and fiction applied to the creation of the novella have received critical acclaim based on the high level of creativity involved in the storyline. The story explains the tale of Victor Frankenstein who is a scientist and a doctor that manages to create a living monster through science. The scientist spends most of his life searching about the secrets of creating life later to discover that he could create one through the application of modern science that positively appeals to him. He gathers a body of a person through the conjoining of several body parts and finally brings to life his creature. The study of the main themes of the book in relation to modern aspects such as cyber security is important. The paper discusses how the theme of dangerous knowledge on the book relates to cyber security today. 

            Cyber security comprises measures, processes, and technologies that are specifically designed to aid in the reduction of cyber-attack risks. Cyber-attacks are the attempts that made to create damage to computer systems within an organization. It may lead to the stealing of important information that involves company security, technology, and financial information.[1]

The effectiveness involved in the maintenance of cyber security relies on three pillars that include technology, process, and people.[2] The application of the approaches to the maintenance of security aids organizations to offer protection against internal threats and highly coordinated attacks. The internal threats normally entail human errors and accidental breaches on the system. Today, most organizations take cyber security as a serious matter because the shift towards electronic storage in daily operations is quite high.

            The knowledge that Victor Frankenstein pursues is dangerous. The issue has its basis on the potential implications that it had on his life. Instead of bringing happiness, Victor is a victim of fear and discomfort. For a long period, Victor pursues the secret to life by researching the creation of life through the basic tools that science provides. The pursuit is a lifetime investment for Victor as most of his studies revolve around the studying of body tissues and basic functioning of the human body. The issue deeply relates to cyber security owing to the fact that it involves searching and safeguarding important information. The leakage of information may lead to the destruction of a company image and operations. The occurrence of security breaches over the period proves to be fatal for company image and reputation within the industry that it operates. 

            Cyber security seeks to safeguard a company against regular cyber-attacks. Competitors within the industry may seek to employ unfair techniques to create a competitive advantage for itself within the industrial domain. The activity entails using cyber-attacks to cause reputational damage and financial loss within a company.[3]

The reason behind the creation of cyber security systems is to provide sufficient information about cyber-attacks prevention through the creation of systems that offer protection. The life of Victor Frankenstein also reflects on a similar issue. It is important that he safeguard his information and secrets from other individuals because it may lead to the damage of his reputation. Safeguarding his information is important because he has theories that defy the law of religion, which may create debates about blasphemy and other religious beliefs at the time. Therefore, the theme of dangerous knowledge deeply relates to cyber security.

            The reasons behind safeguarding information are a key issue that creates the theme of dangerous knowledge. It is evident that the knowledge of secret to life is a key matter of concern for a different scientist. Victor has the knowledge and he seeks to protect it with his life.[4]

He has the acute knowledge of the horrors associated with the sharing of the knowledge with other people. The similar aspect applies to cyber security. It is important to note that the security of the company information relies on the protection that cyber security offers.[5]

The disclosure of the information to the unconcerned parties may affect the reputation of the company in a negative way. Companies such as Coca-Cola appreciate the relevance of protecting dangerous knowledge by keeping the secret behind cola drink formula owing to the associated damage that it may have to the company.  

            Cyber security applies to the government institutions as well. Security agencies such as FBI and homeland security ensure that they have perfect cyber security issues. The agencies understand the necessity of protecting security information that may prove to be quite damaging if disclosed to the members of the public.[6]

Security breaches have led to the creation of legal debates about the safety of the public. Such issues include the recent breach on NASA that disclosed the close surveillance that the government had on the public. The issue led to the creation of debates about the private intrusion.[7]

The same issue applies to the theme of dangerous knowledge in the Novella. Victor ensures that he safeguards his knowledge based on the ethical issues and considerations that apply if he discloses the secrets to life that he possessed.

            Dangerous knowledge theme applies implications of life creation knowledge that it had on Victor. The public had a different understanding behind the genius work of the scientists. Most of him viewed him as a mad scientist that lacked no purpose. The pursuit to human life seemed an impossible task that victor pursued in his life. It creates the importance of safeguarding one goal from public knowledge based on the general verdict that they would provide towards the initiatives that one pursues.[8]

Similarly, the issue applies to the reason behind the creation of cyber security. Most companies and government organization seek to safeguard their important company secrets based on the verdict that the public may have towards their work. In most cases, security breaches have often resulted in the creation of negative public perceptions of the initiatives that they have.

            The theme of dangerous knowledge reflects the outcome of Victor Frankenstein endeavours. Death finally catches up with victor as he seeks to kill what he destroyed. Mary explains how guilt consumed victor after realizing that he had created a monster. The issue made him pursue the monster to seek revenge against the family members that the monster had killed. Finally, fear and guilt lead him to death.[9]

On the other hand, the exposure of company secrets through cyber-attacks normally affects the organization in a negative way. In most cases, the result of the organization is its collapse. Once the financial and technology secrets of a company become public, the organization paves way for competitors leading to significant losses. Conclusively, cyber security and the theme deeply relate with each other based on the outcomes.

            Victor’s knowledge has devastating effects on his life. After creating the monster by mastering the secrets to life, he realizes that he has done a huge mistake and seeks to kill the monster. Instead, the monster kills his close family members that include his brother, wife and best friend.[10] The issue unravels the horror behind having the dangerous knowledge shared with other people. He seeks to kill his monster in order to hide the secret to the rest of the world. Cyber security also applies the similar aspect.[11] The protection of important government secrets is important to the public. A breach of the system normally leads to panic that affects the public in a negative way. Breaches in the financial security systems have caused economic panic because finances disclosed to the members of the public.

Conclusion

            In summary, the paper entails a discussion on how the theme dangerous knowledge

relates with cyber security from Frankenstein. Cyber security comprises measures, processes, and technologies that are specifically designed to aid in the reduction of cyber-attack risks. Cyber-attacks are the attempts that made to create damage to computer systems within an organization. Additionally, the knowledge that Victor Frankenstein pursues is dangerous. The issue has its basis on the potential implications that it had on his life. Instead of bringing happiness, Victor is a victim of fear and discomfort. Ideally, the theme of dangerous knowledge reflects the outcome of Victor Frankenstein endeavours. Death finally catches up with victor as he seeks to kill what he destroyed. On the other hand, Cyber security applies to government institutions as well. Security agencies such as FBI and homeland security ensure that they have perfect cyber security issues.

Bibliography

Christou, George. 2016. Cybersecurity in the European Union: resilience and adaptability in             governance policy.

Grimly, Gris, and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. 2013. Gris Grimly’s Frankenstein, or, The      modern Prometheus.

Kossoff, Jeff. 2017. Cybersecurity law. Hoboken: Wiley.

Refsdal, Atle, Bjornar Solhaug, and Ketil Stølen. 2015. Cyber-risk management.

Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. 2008. Frankenstein, or, The modern Prometheus. [Auckland,      N.Z.]: Floating Press.

Singer, P. W, and Allan Friedman. 2014. Cybersecurity and cyberwar what everyone needs to           know

[1] Christou, George. 2016. Cybersecurity in the European Union: resilience and adaptability in governance policy.

[2] Singer, P. W, and Allan Friedman. 2014. Cybersecurity and cyberwar what everyone needs to know

[3] Christou, George. 2016. Cybersecurity in the European Union: resilience and adaptability in governance policy.

[4] Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. 2008. Frankenstein, or, The modern Prometheus. [Auckland, N.Z.]: Floating Press.

[5] Refsdal, Atle, Bjornar Solhaug, and Ketil Stølen. 2015. Cyber-risk management.

[6] Grimly, Gris, and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. 2013. Gris Grimly’s Frankenstein, or, The modern Prometheus.

[7] Singer, P. W, and Allan Friedman. 2014. Cybersecurity and cyberwar what everyone needs to know

[8] Kossoff, Jeff. 2017. Cybersecurity law. Hoboken: Wiley.

[9] Singer, P. W, and Allan Friedman. 2014. Cybersecurity and cyberwar what everyone needs to know

[10] Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. 2008. Frankenstein, or, The modern Prometheus. [Auckland, N.Z.]: Floating Press.

[11] Kossoff, Jeff. 2017. Cybersecurity law. Hoboken: Wiley.