Cybersecurity Governance Approach: A cross-national, comparative analysis of the Spanish and Dutch on the protection of the critical infrastructure

The critical infrastructure is at the core of a well-functioning society (Mussington, 2021). Through technological developments, the critical infrastructure is increasingly regulated through the internet. However, digitalization has made the critical infrastructure more vulnerable to digital disruptions (OECD, 2012). Therefore, it is a vital interest for national governments to protect the critical infrastructure from digital threats (Mussington, 2021). Within this cybersecurity domain, a multitude of stakeholders is collaborating to carry out the governance of cybersecurity. However, yet little attention has been designated to the organizational structure of the cybersecurity governance domain, according to Kuerbis & Baldiei (2017). While zooming in on the organizational aspect, this research aims to fill this gap in academic knowledge by gaining insight into the cybersecurity governance approaches of Spain and the Netherlands regarding critical infrastructure protection. The...Show moreThe critical infrastructure is at the core of a well-functioning society (Mussington, 2021). Through technological developments, the critical infrastructure is increasingly regulated through the internet. However, digitalization has made the critical infrastructure more vulnerable to digital disruptions (OECD, 2012). Therefore, it is a vital interest for national governments to protect the critical infrastructure from digital threats (Mussington, 2021). Within this cybersecurity domain, a multitude of stakeholders is collaborating to carry out the governance of cybersecurity. However, yet little attention has been designated to the organizational structure of the cybersecurity governance domain, according to Kuerbis & Baldiei (2017). While zooming in on the organizational aspect, this research aims to fill this gap in academic knowledge by gaining insight into the cybersecurity governance approaches of Spain and the Netherlands regarding critical infrastructure protection. The findings of the research indicate that public-private partnerships are more prominent in the Dutch context. The Spanish cybersecurity governance approach revolves around the security services present in the country. Moreover, the study concludes that the Spanish approach is characterized by a market governance structure, whereas the Dutch are following a networked governance structure. The research framework and findings have offered the foundations to unpack the organizational structure within the cybersecurity domain. Applying other lenses on this matter will increase the academic confidence in the organizational aspect within the cybersecurity domain.Show less

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Cybersecurity Governance Approach: A cross-national, comparative analysis of the Spanish and Dutch on the protection of the critical infrastructure