UAE Cybersecurity Perception and Risk Assessments Compared to Other Developed Nations

Abstract

Understanding perception and risk behavior of citizens in a particular country can influence policies that leads to creation of appropriate cyber laws that guarantees citizens' security and privacy in cyber related transactions. UAE cyber activity and perception data is compared with data from nine developed nations. Results obtained have shown that with respect to monetary loss due to cybercrime versus relative risk, UAE is at par with Canada. Combination of results obtained suggests a need for aggressive promotion of cybersecurity awareness program in UAE. Although digital maturity, access to Internet and cybersecurity awareness in UAE may be low compared to other developed nations, cyber risk behavior is comparatively the same as in other nine developed nations. One major contribution of this research is that methodologies are presented that can be used in developing cybersecurity assessment of cybersecurity risk behaviors, and comparison of cyber related risk behavior among countries.