Management of Cybersecurity through Internal Communication

Solyee Kim (PhD alum) & Jeonghyun Janice Lee (PhD candidate), “Management of Cybersecurity through Internal Communication” in Internal Communication and Employee Engagement: A Case Study Approach. McCown, N., Men, L. R., Jiang, H., & Shen, H. (Eds.), 2023.

Abstract: Organizations increasingly experience threats to their organization’s cybersecurity such as data theft, manipulation and fraud. However, the topic is rarely discussed in the field of communication management. Defined as a set of guidelines, technologies and training that provide protection of an organization’s data and of its computer and digital communication infrastructure, cybersecurity is perceived as a critical topic for communications professionals. This chapter discusses findings from a survey on perceptions about cybersecurity from 1,046 communication professionals in the United States and Canada, conducted as part of North American Communications Monitor (NACM) 2020-2021. This survey provides comprehensive understandings of communication professionals’ personal and organizational experiences related to cyberattacks or data threat; internal information management to enhance cybersecurity; and perceptions of likelihood of attacks from cyber criminals. Internal communication presents a number of opportunities to prevent and mitigate crises related to cyberattacks and data thefts. The survey findings revealed the importance of internal communication and employee engagement for cybersecurity issues.