Is cybersecurity eating internet governance? Causes and consequences of alternative framings
Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance
ISSN: 2398-5038
Article publication date: 11 September 2017
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relationship between cybersecurity governance and internet governance and to explore the effects of the current tendency for cybersecurity-related discourse to dominate and change the way we approach the established problems of internet governance.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper demonstrates the centrality of internet connectivity to any definition of cyberspace and to cybersecurity, which clarifies the way internet governance and cybersecurity governance are interdependent. Drawing on classic notions of a security dilemma, the paper also argues for distinguishing between national cybersecurity and societal cybersecurity.
Findings
Major structural features of the governance problem in cybersecurity and internet governance are analogous. Joint production of internet services and cybersecurity makes them heavily interdependent. This means that cybersecurity governance and internet governance models need to be compatible, and the approach we take to one will influence how we approach the other.
Originality/value
The interdependence of cybersecurity governance and internet governance has not been carefully examined before, and the relationship is not well understood. These two strands of thinking about cyberspace governance have not been properly connected. This paper bridges the gap and makes policymakers more aware of the potential tensions between a cybersecurity perspective and an internet governance perspective.
Keywords
Citation
Mueller, M. (2017), "Is cybersecurity eating internet governance? Causes and consequences of alternative framings", Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, Vol. 19 No. 6, pp. 415-428. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPRG-05-2017-0025
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited