Culture of Cybersecurity

Cultural differences can have a significant impact on how people approach cybersecurity, as cultures often have different values, beliefs, and priorities when it comes to issues related to risk, trust, responsibility, and communication. By considering a culture’s perspective, it is possible to understand these differences and tailor cybersecurity efforts accordingly.

There are several reasons why companies should tailor cybersecurity efforts to better align with the values and beliefs of different cultures:

1. Improved effectiveness: By understanding and addressing the unique values, beliefs, and priorities of different cultures, companies can increase the effectiveness of their cybersecurity efforts. This may involve customizing messaging and communication, or adapting cybersecurity measures to better align with local customs and traditions.

2. Greater adoption and compliance: When cybersecurity efforts are tailored to the values and beliefs of a particular culture, they are more likely to be embraced and followed. This can increase compliance with cybersecurity policies and procedures, improving the overall security of the organization.

3. Enhanced reputation and trust: By showing a willingness to tailor efforts to the needs and preferences of different cultures, companies can enhance their reputation and build trust within those cultures. This can be particularly important in a global business environment, where building trust and credibility is crucial to success.

4. Greater inclusivity and diversity: By tailoring efforts, companies can demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and diversity, which can be important for attracting and retaining top talent from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

Much of modern day cross-cultural design is rooted in the work of Trompenaars, who is widely known for “The Seven Dimensions of Culture” which he came up with after interviewing over 46,000 managers in 40 countries. Rather than distinguishing cultures simply by language, they established seven differentiating qualities.

· Universalism versus Particularism: refers to whether cultures prioritize universal laws and rules or the specific context and relationships of a situation.

A culture with a strong emphasis on universalism (Such as in the U.S., and Germany) may prioritize following established laws and regulations on cybersecurity, such as industry standards and best practices. They may also place a higher value on impartial and objective risk assessments, and may be more likely to implement cybersecurity measures that apply uniformly to all users or systems.

A culture with a strong emphasis on particularism (China and Latin-America) may be more inclined to prioritize building personal relationships and trust in order to ensure the security of information. They may view cybersecurity measures as being more effective when tailored to the specific needs and context of a particular situation, rather than being applied universally.

· Individualism versus Communitarianism: refers to whether cultures prioritize the individual or the group.

A culture with a strong emphasis on individualism (Such as in Australia, and Canada) may prioritize personal responsibility for cybersecurity, and may view individuals as being responsible for protecting their own information and devices. They may also place a higher value on individual privacy and the protection of personal data.

A culture with a strong emphasis on communitarianism (Japan and much of Africa) may view cybersecurity as a group effort and may prioritize the protection of collective information and resources. They may be more inclined to view the security of the community or organization as a shared responsibility and may prioritize measures that protect the group as a whole.

· Specific versus Diffuse: refers to the extent to which cultures keep work and personal life separate.

A culture with a strong emphasis on specific relationships (Scandinavia and the U.K.) may view cybersecurity measures as being most effective when applied to specific work-related devices and information. They may place a higher value on maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal life and may prioritize measures that protect work-related assets.

A culture with a strong emphasis on diffuse relationships (common in India, and Argentina) may view work and personal life as more interconnected, and may be more likely to view personal devices and information as being equally important to protect. They may also be more inclined to view the security of personal information as being closely linked to the security of the community or organization as a whole.

· Neutral versus Emotional: Refers to whether cultures view emotions as acceptable in business or try to keep them separate.

A culture with a strong emphasis on neutrality (Sweden and the U.K ) may view cybersecurity measures as being most effective when they are objective and unbiased, and may prioritize technical solutions over those that rely on emotional appeals or personal relationships. They may also view the expression of emotions in the workplace as being inappropriate or unprofessional.

A culture with a strong emphasis on emotion (such as in France and Italy) may view personal relationships and trust as being important factors in ensuring the security of information. They may be more inclined to view emotional appeals and the cultivation of personal connections as being effective ways to encourage safe and secure behavior.

· Achievement versus Ascription: refers to whether cultures value personal achievement or status based on factors such as ancestry or position.

A culture with a strong emphasis on achievement (such as U.S. and Scandinavia) may view cybersecurity measures as being most effective when they are based on merit and individual ability, and may prioritize training and education to ensure that employees have the skills and knowledge needed to protect sensitive information. They may also view the acquisition of certifications and other professional credentials as being important indicators of expertise in cybersecurity.

A culture with a strong emphasis on ascription (such as Japan and Saudi Arabia) may place a higher value on status and position, and may view certain individuals or companies as being inherently more qualified or trustworthy when it comes to cybersecurity. They may also be more inclined to view security measures as being most effective when they are implemented by those with a certain level of authority or status within the organization.

· Sequential Time versus Synchronous Time: refers to how cultures view the linear progression of time and the importance of deadlines.

A culture with a strong emphasis on sequential time (such as in the U.S. and Germany) may place a higher value on meeting deadlines and may be more likely to prioritize cybersecurity efforts that can be completed in a specific, predetermined time frame. They may also be more likely to prioritize the completion of specific tasks over long-term security goals.

A culture with a strong emphasis on synchronous time (like Japan and Mexico) may be more flexible with regard to deadlines and may prioritize maintaining a consistent level of security over time. They may be more inclined to view cybersecurity as an ongoing process rather than a series of discrete tasks.

· Internal Direction versus Outer Direction: refers to whether cultures believe that individuals have control over their own lives or that external factors control their destiny.

A culture with a strong emphasis on internal direction (U.S. and New Zealand) may view cybersecurity as being largely within the control of individuals and may prioritize measures that empower users to protect their own information and devices. They may also place a higher value on personal responsibility and may view cyber threats as being largely avoidable through careful and proactive behavior.

A culture with a strong emphasis on outer direction (such as Brazil and China) may view external factors as having a significant influence on cybersecurity and may prioritize measures that protect against external threats, such as hackers or malware. They may also be more inclined to view cyber threats as being largely beyond the control of individuals and may prioritize measures that are implemented at the organizational or societal level.

It is important to consider a culture’s perspective when developing cybersecurity strategies, as it can help to understand their priorities and approach to risk management. By understanding these differences, it is possible to tailor cybersecurity efforts to better align with the values and beliefs of different cultures.

To tailor cybersecurity efforts to better align with the values and beliefs of different cultures it is important to take the following steps:

1. Research and understand the cultural context: This includes understanding the values, beliefs, and priorities of the culture in question, as well as any unique challenges or considerations that may impact the adoption of cybersecurity measures.

2. Identify cultural differences: This involves identifying specific ways in which the culture’s values and beliefs may differ from those of the organization or broader society, and how these differences may impact cybersecurity efforts.

3. Customize messaging and communication: This involves adapting the language, tone, and approach of cybersecurity messaging to better resonate with the culture in question. For example, a culture that values personal relationships may respond better to emotional appeals, while a culture that values objectivity may prefer technical explanations.

4. Consider local context and cultural traditions: This involves taking into account any local customs or traditions that may impact the adoption of cybersecurity measures, such as the role of community leaders or the importance of family relationships.

5. Involve local stakeholders and experts: This involves seeking input and guidance from local stakeholders and experts who are familiar with the culture and can provide insight into how to effectively communicate and implement cybersecurity measures.

By understanding these cultural differences and tailoring cybersecurity efforts to better align with the values and beliefs of different cultures, it is possible to increase the effectiveness of cybersecurity strategies and improve the overall security of information and systems.