As an Internal Auditor, I am usually deep in controls and compliance. It is a world often seen as being about documents and system checks. But lately, I have been thinking about a connection that might surprise you—between robust cybersecurity and our impact on the environment.
Sounds a bit out there, right? Cybersecurity protects data; sustainability protects nature. Apples and oranges?
Well, consider this eye-opener: Sam Altman of OpenAI once mentioned that the energy cost of people adding "please" and "thank you" to ChatGPT prompts amounts to "tens of millions of dollars a year" in electricity!
Just from being polite! That blew my mind and got me thinking: If simple pleasantries cost that much energy, what about the energy wasted by systems that are running inefficiently because they are insecure?
Let's dive into some surprising ways cybersecurity quietly helps the planet:
The hidden energy drain
Did you know the internet's global energy footprint is estimated to be comparable to that of the airline industry? And data centres alone consume about 1 per cent of the world's electricity!
When systems are battling constant malware attacks, running compromised software or unknowingly participating in botnets (armies of infected computers), they are working overtime, consuming far more energy than they should. It's like leaving your car idling unnecessarily for hours every day.
For instance, imagine a company network hit by a persistent low-level virus that doubles the processing load on thousands of servers. That is not just a security headache; that's potentially enough wasted electricity to power a small town, 24/7. Good cybersecurity prevents this constant, invisible drain.
Combating the e-waste mountain
E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream globally! Less than 20% of it is formally recycled. Much of it ends up in landfills, leaching toxic materials.
Cyber incidents can turn perfectly good hardware into expensive paperweights overnight. A ransomware attack that encrypts a company's laptops and servers or a virus that corrupts crucial components often forces premature replacement.
For example, think of a mid-sized office building where a cyberattack renders 100 computers unusable. If the quickest recovery path is replacement rather than costly, time-consuming repair, that is 100 machines instantly headed for disposal—adding significantly to e-waste. Robust cybersecurity helps extend the secure, useful life of our devices, keeping them out of landfills longer.
Protecting our physical world's infrastructure
Our modern power grids, water treatment facilities, transportation systems and manufacturing plants are heavily controlled by digital systems. A cyberattack on these isn't just a digital intrusion; it can have immediate, severe environmental consequences.
Picture a sophisticated attack targeting a chemical plant's control systems. Attackers could manipulate processes, leading to an accidental release of hazardous materials into the air or water. Or consider an attack on a water utility that disrupts treatment processes, potentially releasing untreated sewage. Securing these operational technology (OT) systems is fundamental to preventing environmental disasters caused by digital malice.
From my audit chair, I see that building a resilient organisation must include sustainability. And you absolutely cannot have resilience in the digital age without strong cybersecurity. Protecting our digital world is increasingly about protecting our physical one—from wasted energy and e-waste to preventing potential environmental catastrophes.
So, the next time you update your software, choose a strong password or report a suspicious email, know that you're not just protecting data. You're also making a small, but meaningful contribution to a more efficient, less wasteful and a healthier planet. It is a digital responsibility with a very green outcome.
The author is a chartered accountant specialised in risk and control management.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
