In this article published by the Journal of Cybersecurity, researchers conduct a study to find out if exposure to cyber-attacks influence the public support for intrusive cybersecurity policies. The initial hypotheses were that exposure to cyber-attacks would increase support for security policies, individuals exposed to lethal cyberattacks will exhibit higher support than those who are exposed to nonlethal attacks, and that cyber threat perception will mediate the relationship between individual exposure to cyber attacks and support for cybersecurity policies (Snider et al).

The hypotheses were tested by a controlled experiment that included simulated news reports relating to cyber-attacks. One group was shown reports on lethal cyberattacks, one group was shown nonlethal cyber-attacks, and the control groups was shown no news report. The study was administered in Israel in 2015 and consisted of 1,022 participants. The study found that the group exposed to lethal cyber attacks had a more heightened perception of cyber threats when compared to the group exposed to nonlethal cyber-attacks or the control group. Data also showed that exposure to cyber-attacks caused respondents to be more willing to forfeit civil liberties and privacy in exchange for more security when compared to the control group. This study helps contribute to society by drawing attention to the importance of including the public input in the creation of cybersecurity policies and drives home the idea that with increases in cyber threats and attacks, an increase in citizen input on cybersecurity policy and regulations should be following.  The study also draws attention to the potential lack of knowledge among society on the actual severity of cyber-attacks and the importance of knowing how to avoid them. As Maslow’s hierarchy states, safety needs are extremely important, and cyber policy can help defend that safety.

There are many scientific principles that can be drawn from this study. For example, this article used an empirical study to determine if being a witness to a cyber attack would influence public support for cyber policy. The study used three different groups, a study method as well as results and data. Relativism is also used heavily, as the point of the study was to see how the exposure to cyber attacks relates to the publics view on cyber policy. As stated in the article, cyber policy is normally decided by specialists within the field as opposed to public opinions and views, which creates potential issues among members of society, including marginalized groups. These marginalized groups typically do not have much knowledge on online security tools, or what to look for in a potential cyber threat or attack, making them more at risk of cyber threats. Overall, cyber awareness among all citizens is extremely important to help combat the ever-increasing threat of cyber-attacks.

Works Cited

Snider, Keren L G, et al. “Cyberattacks, Cyber Threats, and Attitudes toward Cybersecurity Policies.” Journal of Cybersecurity, vol. 7, no. 1, 1 Jan. 2021, 10.1093/cybsec/tyab019. Accessed 14 Oct. 2021.