An Empirical Study of Cultural Dimensions and Cybersecurity Development

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to empirically investigate whether national culture has an impact on cybersecurity development. We used methods of correlation and hierarchical regression to analyse two sets of indices; the global cybersecurity index of 2015 and Hofstede cultural dimension index. The research discovered that there exist a significant correlation between cybersecurity development and the cultural dimensions as defined by Hofstede cultural theory. Five cultural dimensions were used in the study; power distance, masculinity/femininity, individualism/collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, long term/short term orientation, and the research found out that individualism and long term orientation were significantly correlated with cybersecurity development. These findings have strategic implications in helping government and decision makers fashion out relevant policies and programmes while taking into cognisance the cultural factors in the improvement of the cyberwellness profile and the development of strategic cybersecurity. Implications and recommendations for future work are further discussed.