A Framework for Cybersecurity Awareness in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The rapid advancement in technology has improved people's lives, but it has also increased the risks that come with using the Internet, including cybercrimes. Lately, Saudi Arabia, a booming economy, has become one of the prime targets of cyberattacks. The massive amount of cyberattacks targeting Saudi Arabia can be attributed to the lack of cybersecurity awareness among Saudi people. The objective of this study is to propose methods on the national level to increase the awareness of cybersecurity among Saudi people. We conducted a cybersecurity assessment survey to assess the cybersecurity awareness among Saudi people. The survey result indicated negligent behavior and lack of awareness. To address this issue, we proposed a cybersecurity awareness framework which targets all strata of Saudi Arabia demography. The proposed framework not only emphasized training programs in schools, universities and organizations but also addresses the awareness issue in people from informal backgrounds. The framework also includes the importance of incident response and its role in reducing incidents.