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Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) and the Role of its 5 Pillars

Social Indicators Research volume 159, pages 125–143 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

Computer crime is a matter of increasing concern, and worldwide action is required if the proper responses to it are to be found. One of the tools that can be deployed here is the Global cybersecurity index (GCI), a control and feedback mechanism based on a composite indicator. The GCI is based on a hierarchy of sub-indicators. The indicators used for the final aggregation of the CGI are called pillars. Five pillars are applied to rank the eleven countries that are top of the rankings in a worldwide study. In this paper, our ranking is based on these pillars, and their role is investigated using partial order methodology. It turns out that the pillars “Technical (aspects)”, “Capacity building”, and “Cooperation” are of particular importance. In conclusion, a strategy is suggested for an “individualized ranking” that may be helpful for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or other institutions. Here, we apply the procedure for the project “Awareness Laboratory SME (ALARM) information security” and put our ideas up for discussion. In particular, the mathematical method will be transferred to SMEs as a means to support the effectiveness of awareness-raising measures and to improve the security behaviour of company employees.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank maths teacher Klaus-Jürgen Hügel for his didactic recommendations and Simon Cowper for his professional proofreading of the text. The funding institution is the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). We thank the reviewers for their helpful comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sudile GbR, Jägerstraße 36, Potsdam, Germany

    Rainer Bruggemann & Peter Koppatz

  2. Department of Ecohydrology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, Germany

    Rainer Bruggemann

  3. Faculty of Business, Computing, and Law, Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau (TH Wildau), Wildau, Germany

    Margit Scholl & Regina Schuktomow

Authors
  1. Rainer Bruggemann
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  2. Peter Koppatz
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  3. Margit Scholl
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  4. Regina Schuktomow
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Correspondence to Rainer Bruggemann.

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Bruggemann, R., Koppatz, P., Scholl, M. et al. Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) and the Role of its 5 Pillars. Soc Indic Res 159, 125–143 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-021-02739-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-021-02739-y

Keywords

  • Composite index
  • Pillars
  • Partial ordering
  • Awareness
  • Global cybersecurity index