Decoding cybersecurity for civic defense: Exploring real-world cybersecurity metaphors from digital frontlines

Chen, Wen-Ning; Huang, Pao-Pei; Huang, Yu-Wen; Lin, Yu-Jie; Jeng, Wei

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/126203 Copy

Description

Title

Decoding cybersecurity for civic defense: Exploring real-world cybersecurity metaphors from digital frontlines

Author(s)

• Chen, Wen-Ning
• Huang, Pao-Pei
• Huang, Yu-Wen
• Lin, Yu-Jie
• Jeng, Wei

Issue Date

2025-03-11

Keyword(s)

• Metaphor
• Cybersecurity
• Science Communication

Abstract

Cybersecurity has become a critical fortress protecting nations and individuals alike. However, its intrinsic complexity often renders it an enigma to the general public. Positioned at the forefront of innovation, Taiwan faces an unprecedented onslaught of cybersecurity threats, amplified by its unique geopolitical status. This precarious position on the digital frontlines demands not only cutting-edge defenses but also a populace well-versed in cyber resilience. While previous studies primarily analyze cybersecurity metaphors in scholarly discourses, this study instead captures cybersecurity metaphors in real-world-based cybersecurity discourses, thereby offering a broader perspective. In this study, we analyzed metaphor use in two corpora: cybersecurity-related science articles and small cards collected through the iSquare method, where cybersecurity professionals in Taiwan were asked to draw and describe their understanding of cybersecurity. Based on the results, we developed a framework of cybersecurity metaphors, and found that while most frequently used cybersecurity metaphors were shared, different patterns of metaphors use were identified across the two corpora. The findings contributed to understanding the perception gaps between scientific communicators disseminating cybersecurity information and the audience adopting and comprehending it, as well as illuminating how metaphorical discourse facilitates the circulating of complicated scientific information.

Publisher

iSchools

Series/Report Name or Number

iConference 2025 Proceedings

Type of Resource

Other

Genre of Resource

Conference Poster

Language

eng

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/126203

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2025 is held by Wen-Ning Chen, Pao-Pei Huang,Yu-Wen Huang, Yu-Jie Lin, and Wei Jeng. Copyright permissions, when appropriate, must be obtained directly from the authors.

Owning Collections