Paradoxical tensions in the implementation of digital security governance: Toward an ambidextrous approach to governing digital security

Due to increasing numbers of cyberattacks, security is one of the leading challenges to contemporary organizations. As contradictory demands (e.g., tensions in digital organizations) intensify, organizations increasingly find it difficult to implement digital security governance (DSG) as part of the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inComputers & security Vol. 122; p. 102903
Main Authors Schinagl, Stef, Shahim, Abbas, Khapova, Svetlana
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2022
Subjects
Ambidexterity
Cyberattacks
Cybersecurity governance
Digital security governance
Paradox
Tensions
Paradox
Ambidexterity
Tensions
Cyberattacks
Digital security governance
Cybersecurity governance
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Summary:Due to increasing numbers of cyberattacks, security is one of the leading challenges to contemporary organizations. As contradictory demands (e.g., tensions in digital organizations) intensify, organizations increasingly find it difficult to implement digital security governance (DSG) as part of their regular organizational change activities. Based on data from forty-two interviews with Dutch CISOs and CIOs of large organizations that are active in various sectors, we identify three key paradoxical tensions that affect DSG implementation. We found that in a digital context, paradoxical tensions are pressurized and become out of balance. Disbalance among tensions exposes friction that hinders the implementation of DSG mechanisms. Finally, we present a conceptual model that sets direction for ambidextrous digital security. Understanding how to engage with tensions in an ambidextrous way determines the success of DSG implementations in today's complex digital environments.
ISSN:0167-4048
1872-6208
DOI:10.1016/j.cose.2022.102903