Understanding Local Government Cybersecurity Policy: A Concept Map and Framework

Abstract

Cybersecurity is a crucial concern for local governments as they serve as the primary interface between public and government services, managing sensitive data and critical infrastructure. While technical safeguards are integral to cybersecurity, the role of a well-structured policy is equally important as it provides structured guidance to translate technical requirements into actionable protocols. This study reviews local governments’ cybersecurity policies to provide a comprehensive assessment of how these policies align with the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Cybersecurity Framework 2.0, which is a widely adopted and commonly used cybersecurity assessment framework. This review offers local governments a mirror to reflect on their cybersecurity stance, identifying potential vulnerabilities and areas needing urgent attention. This study further extends the development of a cybersecurity policy framework, which local governments can use as a strategic tool. It provides valuable information on crucial cybersecurity elements that local governments must incorporate into their policies to protect confidential data and critical infrastructure.

Local Government Cybersecurity Landscape: A Systematic Review and Conceptual Framework

“…Local governments are frequently targeted for cyber-attacks [6,68]. The types and techniques of attacks are diverse and continuously evolving.…”

“…To balance between safeguarding residents' information and confidential administrative documents and upholding public trust, a multifaceted approach is needed. This encompasses the formulation of policies, the frequent training of staff members on cybersecurity protocols, and active involvement with the public to disseminate knowledge about local governments' cybersecurity and data protection strategies, as well as educating residents on protecting their own data as well as about cybersecurity [13,62,68,76].…”

The Analysis of the Influence of Government Diversity Policy Intervention, Service Innovation and Competitive Performance on Social Governance from the Perspective of Inclusiveness

“…This study has theoretical and practical implications for evaluating the role of diversity and inclusion policies in improving service innovation and competitive performance from the perspective of local governance (Friar, 2022). At the legal level, assessing diversity and inclusion policies has a catalytic role in local J. Cao, D. Sui, S. Luo, Z. Chen, & J. Li: The Analysis of the Influence of Government Diversity Policy Intervention, Service Innovation and Competitive Performance on Social Governance from the Perspective of Inclusiveness 251 government service innovation, helping to validate service innovation and competitive performance (Hossain, Yigitcanlar, Nguyen, & Xu, 2024), i.e., diversity governments are more likely to produce innovative outcomes. At the same time, inclusive policies can promote the level of social governance and improve the local governance environment.…”