Cyberattacks, cyber threats, and attitudes toward cybersecurity policies

With increasing frequency of cyberattacks and increasing severity of cyber threats, implementing new cybersecurity policy with public support is critical. In a study, over one thousand Israeli citizens reactions to cyberattack news media was observed and analyzed. The study finds that exposing people to the effects of cyber attacks builds support for cyber defense policy. Viewers who were exposed to cyber attack reports with higher fatalities supported more government involvement and communication with the population about safety and legislation. While the participants who were exposed to less lethal attacks supported overarching higher level policy making from the government. Overall, the study suggests that citizens are more willing to support cybersecurity policy that sacrifices privacy or other liberties if they are aware of the quantity and severity of cyber attacks.