Characterizing Key Societal Variables for Cybersecurity Commitment and Capacity Building: A Cross-National Analysis Exploring Societal Drivers and Values Shaping Cybersecurity Readiness

The growing prevalence of cyber threats has heightened concerns about security across both public and private sectors, affecting governments, organizations, and individuals alike. Despite this trend, relatively little attention has been devoted to the cultural and societal factors that may influence a country's commitment and capacity to address cybersecurity challenges. To address this gap, we examine the relationship between national cultural characteristics and cybersecurity policies using data from 81 countries combined with large-scale longitudinal survey evidence on human values. Our analysis demonstrates that a nation's cultural orientation significantly influences its cybersecurity commitment and capacity-building efforts. The findings suggest that while cybersecurity is a matter of public concern, governments must strike an appropriate balance between security and individual freedoms in the digital sphere, while fostering collective approaches to online safety. We find that more liberal cultural orientations are associated with higher levels of cybersecurity commitment and stronger capacity-building measures. Economic development and military expenditures also contribute positively to national cybersecurity performance.