Cybersecurity Laws and Digital Transformation: A Survey of the State-of-the-Art

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to review the existing literature on Cybersecurity Laws and highlight the major challenges in development and application of the necessary instruments of legislation and how this is impacting on digital transformation and development. The global nature of cybercrime has necessitated an urgent drive towards the enactment and harmonization of Cybersecurity laws if digital transformation and development is to be realized. While that is a noble idea, the sluggish pace at which the legislations are being enacted may render them outdated or inapplicable to the current threats that are abound in the security landscape. This has far reaching implications and consequences to digital transformation and development. The paper is based on a literature review of existing published research on cybersecurity, cybercrime, cybersecurity laws and digital transformation. A survey of existing literature was conducted whose findings are presented. The review has shown that cybercrime is a global problem without geographical borders while enacted legislations are not keeping pace with the changing technology landscape and are not harmonized. Cybercrime statistics are inaccurate as many cases go undetected or unreported. It is costly to develop and maintain security and other preventive measures. While efforts have been made towards digitization and development, African continent lacks the human resource capacity and the technology infrastructure necessary to detect, prosecute and convict the perpetrators of cybercrimes. The study findings are intended to assist business managers to effectively understand Cybersecurity and cybercrime in order to review the related Laws, policies and procedures in tandem with national and international standards and conventions. Digital transformation is first and foremost a business transformation; it is not just about technology. Cybersecurity legislation is an essential ingredient to digital transformation. Africa and indeed the world has to heavily invest in Cybersecurity awareness and skills development training, conduct focused research in cyber threat, and develop common cybersecurity frameworks.