Global research productivity in cybersecurity: a scientometric study
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-09-2020-0148 |
| Published date | 16 August 2021 |
| Date | 16 August 2021 |
| Pages | 342-354 |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Information behaviour & retrieval,Information in society,Information literacy,Library & information services |
| Author | Fayaz Ahmad Loan,Bashir Bisma,Nasreen Nahida |
Global research productivity
in cybersecurity: a
scientometric study
Fayaz Ahmad Loan,Bashir Bisma and Nasreen Nahida
Centre of Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of the study is to conduct a scientometric analysis of cybersecurity literature
indexed inthe core collection of the Web of Science for a periodof ten years (2011–2020).
Design/methodology/approach –Cybersecurity is a focused topic of research across the globe. To
identify the global research productivityin the field, the terms “cybersecurity, cyber-security, web security,
informationsecurity, computer security, etc.”were used for retrievingthe publications in the advanced search
mode of the database “Web of Science”, limiting the timeframe for 2011–2020. The results retrieved were
downloaded in the Excel file for further analysis and interpretation. The harvested data was analysed by
using scientometric techniques to measure the progress such as growth rate, doubling time and author
collaborations.Besides, the Biblioshiny and VOSviewersoftware were used for mapping networks.
Findings –The research output in the field of cybersecurityhas shown an increasing trend during 2011–
2020, and the maximum numberof scholarlypublications was published in 2020 (1,581), i.e. more than 715%
of 2011 (221). A good number of countries (93) have contributedglobally in cybersecurity research, and the
highest share in researchpublications was reported by the USA (23.55%), followed byChina (23.24%), South
Korea (5.31%), UK (5.28%)and India (4.25%). The authorship patterns in cybersecurity publicationsshow a
collaborative trend, as most articles have been published by multiple authors. Total 5,532 (90.14%) articles
have been published in co-authorship, whereas only 605 (9.86%) articles have been published by single
authors. Keyword analysisshows that the most common keyword research by the authorsis cybersecurity
and its variants such as “cyber security”and “cyber-security”(1,698) followed by security (782), computer
security(680) and information security (329).
Research limitations/implications –The database studied for the workdoes not represent the total
literary output available on the theme. There are plenty of other databases, such as Scopus, Compendex,
INSPEC,IEEE Xplore,arXiv, contributing to the same theme as well.
Practical implications –The findings of the study may help researchers, information technologists,
library professionals and information specialists to identify the research progress, authorship patterns,
collaborativenetworks and hot topics of research in the field of cybersecurity. Besides,it willassess the global
responseto thecybersecurity issue.
Originality/value –The study is the scientometric analysis of the cybersecurity based on current
literatureand will highlight the progress and development of global research in the said field.
Keywords Information security, Computer Security, Bibliometrics, Cybercrime, Cybersecurity,
Scientometrics, Internet security, Network security, Cyber privacy, Web security
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Internet is no longer a novelty, as its presence is successfully observed in many people’s
lives worldwide. With the enormous benefits, unfortunately, the internet has become home
to a new type of predator. No oneis exempt from the problems that could emerge from this
type of predator (Verma, 2013). Cybercrimes such as identity-theft, cyber-bullying, cyber-
stalking and so forth have become a worldwide issue for not only individual security but
also international companies, banks and governments. According to Statista (2020),
GKMC
71,4/5
342
Received27 September 2020
Revised24 November 2020
8 March2021
14June 2021
Accepted20 July 2021
GlobalKnowledge, Memory and
Communication
Vol.71 No. 4/5, 2022
pp. 342-354
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2514-9342
DOI 10.1108/GKMC-09-2020-0148
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
https://www.emerald.com/insight/2514-9342.htm
To continue reading
Request your trial