Distinguished Lecture: Ethical Frameworks and Computer Security Trolley Problems

Abstract: Philosophers have, for centuries, developed frameworks for evaluating and tools for navigating ethical and moral questions. The computer security discipline – a field deeply integrated with users, societies, adversaries, defenders, and vulnerabilities – has also made significant advances in developing its own methods for navigating ethical and moral questions. However, much of the work in the computer security field has been grassroots, highly informed by the expertise, experiences, and practices within the computer security community but not always directly connected to the existing ethical frameworks. Strengthening the bridge between these two communities is the focus of our research.

I will discuss collaborative work with Yasemin Acar (Paderborn University) and Wulf Loh (University of Tübingen) on exploring the connection between ethical frameworks (from philosophy) and ethics-related computer security scenarios. I hope that this presentation will be of interest to any computer scientist interested in the connection between computer science and ethics.

Bio: Tadayoshi Kohno (Yoshi) is a professor in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington. He is also the incoming Associate Dean for Faculty Success at the University of Washington College of Engineering. He has adjunct appointments in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, the Information School, and the School of Law. He co-directs the University of Washington Computer Security & Privacy Research Lab and the Tech Policy Lab. Kohno was a founding member of the National Academies Forum on Cyber Resilience and is currently a member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation Board of Directors and the USENIX Security Steering Committee. Kohno received his Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego.