Determinants of government cyber security capacity in developing countries

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and analyse the key determinants of government cybersecurity capacity in African and developing countries and assess the effect of these determinants on government cybersecurity capacity within these two groups of countries. The study employed quantitative analysis using ordinal logistic regression models and the sixth version of the Digital Society Project dataset, specifically examining longitudinal data from 2000 to 2023 in 50 African and 90 developing countries. In developing countries, there was a negative relationship between government social media monitoring and government cybersecurity capacity, whereas there was no significant relationship between government social media monitoring and government cybersecurity capacity in African countries. The findings indicated that the impact of state Internet control measures on government cybersecurity capacity varies based on the specific control measure and its application. It also showed that monitoring social media and legal frameworks have different effects on the government’s cybersecurity capacity in these two groups of countries. A restrictive legal framework for state Internet content regulation was negatively correlated with government cybersecurity capacity in African countries. While this study has provided valuable insights into cybersecurity capacity building in African and developing countries, it also highlights the need for further research to address the identified limitations and explore new avenues for cybersecurity research in the Global South.