Yesterday's 'Cyber Attack' which left parts of the NHS in chaos was a stark warning of the dangers associated with surrendering ourselves to rule by computer.
Those who believe in a ' because we can' philosophy would have us sit back and let computers and other technology do everything for us, simply because it can be done. We already have industrial production of all sorts that is controlled by computers, the NHS relies utterly on computers for data storage, sample analysis and even diagnosis, our railway infrastructure is controlled by computers and some want us to hand control of our cars to these impersonal boxes of wires and circuits. Many other services, industries and aspects of our lives are well on the way to becoming reliant on them too.
Computers are fine, in their place and used as an aid to human endeavour but, as demonstrated by yesterday's events, which have affected services in many countries around the world and not just the NHS, they can fall prey to criminals and troublemakers all too easily. Computers are obviously here to stay but we must all beware the dangers associated with them and call a halt before we give them, and the backers, total control over us.
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