Price of Progress: Ethical Cybersecurity in Tech Communities
Joy Toney
Blacks in Cyber Village @ DEF CON 33 · Day 1 · Blacks in Cyber Village
Joy Toney, a distinguished cybersecurity professional and advocate for ethical technology, delivered a thought-provoking talk at the Blacks in Cyber Village conference titled "Price of Progress: Ethical Cybersecurity in Tech Communities." This presentation critically examines the often-overlooked societal implications of rapid technological advancement, particularly the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the expansion of big tech infrastructure. Toney argues that as cities actively court major technology companies, they must concurrently address the significant risks these developments pose to public systems such as water, energy, and waste management, which are vital for community sustainability.
AI review
A competent, well-intentioned talk that reframes cybersecurity ethics around environmental and community impact — a lens that genuinely deserves more airtime in this field. The case studies (XAI/Memphis, Iron Mountain, CyrusOne) are well-chosen and concrete, but the talk is ultimately advocacy journalism dressed in a cybersecurity professional's credentials rather than original research or insider analysis.