The future role of government in cybersecurity

In this chapter, we argue that the current government’s narrow perspectives on essential services must be broadened to consider the whole set of critical inter-organisational, network-based, and cross-sectoral relationships that deliver value. We argue the root of this limited view is the origin of much critical infrastructure and cybersecurity policy: the computer science and engineering view of computer security. this chapter reviews the current trends and prevailing approaches of governments to essential services cybersecurity. Second, it explores the challenges that arise from them. Then, it proposes a value-informed cybersecurity theory that can generate new insights and models for cybersecurity framing that are more ‘fit-for-purpose’ for the contemporary, complex reality of essential services. It concludes by drawing a research agenda for Public Administration scholars.