The Value of Security Technology in the Digital Age – Summary of Lü Peng’s Report Presentation

In 2023, rapid advances in AI large models, autonomous driving, and robotics intensified digital transformation, while also exposing new security risks that span fast‑iteration, high‑intelligence, and full‑coverage scenarios. Recognizing this, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences University’s Digital China Institute and Ant Group published the "Digital Age Security Technology Value Report".

The report asserts that security technology will become a public good, on par with artificial intelligence, as digital societies enter a phase where security risks undergo a qualitative shift. It identifies three major challenges: the accelerating pace and breadth of digital security threats, the urgent rise of AI‑related safety risks, and the emergence of novel risks accompanying new technologies.

Security technology is defined as a broad, multi‑disciplinary set of tools and systems that protect information, networks, and computing environments. It has evolved from traditional network security to encompass blockchain, privacy computing, adversarial AI, quantum security, and more, reflecting its role as a companion technology to every emerging innovation.

The report classifies security technology into four pillars: basic security (physical, system, network, data security), business security (fraud detection, content safety, risk control), AI security (model safety, data poisoning, downstream misuse), and future security (e.g., quantum‑based solutions).

It emphasizes the dual value of security technology: as a "keel" that safeguards critical infrastructure and as a "catalyst" that reduces costs and enables the scaling of new technologies such as large AI models. Case studies illustrate this, including Ant Group’s collaboration with smartphone manufacturers to protect over 120 million devices and the joint risk‑control platform built with China Railway Construction Materials.

The report argues that security technology will become a public good, both in terms of shared threat intelligence and in fostering equitable, dignified digital participation. It calls for four drivers to promote this transition: regulatory incentives, commercial cyber‑insurance, standards development, and a security‑first mindset.

Finally, the authors advocate for strong government‑enterprise cooperation to institutionalize security technology as a public good, urging investment, research, and inclusive policy to ensure that security underpins the ethical and sustainable growth of the digital society.