Cyber What???-a Systematic Review
Susan Henrico, Dries Putter · Journal of Applied Security Research · 2025
Cybersecurity is a critical concern in contemporary digital environments, especially within the context of complex, interconnected systems. This study presents a systematic review of the complexities and inconsistencies surrounding the use of cyber-related terminology. A two-phased approach. The first part entailed using the PRISMA model to find relevant material, which was analyzed using ATLAS.ti software during the second phase. The analysis reveals ambiguity in cyber-related constructs, such as ‘cybersecurity’ versus ‘cyber security’, which impacts the clarity of research, policy development, and organizational practices, including education and training. Additionally, the study identified ‘cybersecurity’ as a primary security concern, interconnected with secondary and tertiary constructs. These relationships, visualized through ATLAS.ti Sankey diagrams, provide insight into how cyber-related constructs; all interrelated within the broader cyber ecosystem and within the dataset used for the study. This research is interesting and relevant because it clarifies the inconsistent use of cyber-related constructs and thus, each narrative constructed around cyberspace and its security. These taxonomic clarifications are also useful additions to curricula offering education and training in cyber-related subjects. Furthermore, organizations delivering security and/or intelligence services, within the context of cyber-related functional applications, can use such clarification to enhance their education, training materials, and functional environments.