Cyber Security Responsibilization: An Evaluation of the Intervention Approaches Adopted by the Five Eyes Countries and China. (3rd June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Renaud, Karen; Orgeron, Craig; Warkentin, Merrill; French, P. Edward
• Is Part Of: Public administration review. Volume 80:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 577
• Page End: 589
• Publication Date: 2020-06-03
• Subjects: United States -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Periodicals; 350
• DOI: 10.1111/puar.13210
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-3352

Abstract

Abstract: Governments can intervene to a greater or lesser extent in managing the risks that citizens face . They can adopt a maximal intervention approach (e . g ., COVID‐19) or a hands‐off approach (e . g ., unemployment), effectively "responsibilizing" their citizens. To manage the cyber risk, governments publish cyber‐related policies . This article examines the intervention stances the governments adopt in supporting individual citizens managing their personal cyber risk . The authors pinpoint the cyber‐related responsibilities that several governments espouse, applying a "responsibilization" analysis . Those applying to citizens are identified, thereby revealing the governments' cyber‐related intervention stances . The analysis reveals that most governments adopt a minimal cyber‐related intervention stance in supporting their citizens . Given the increasing number of successful cyber attacks on individuals, it seems time for the consequences of this stance to be acknowledged and reconsidered . The authors argue that governments should support individual citizens more effectively in dealing with cyber threats .