Cyber Crisis Readiness Unpacked: A Qualitative Exploration of Organizational Approaches and Mindsets

The study qualitatively explores the complex nature of cyber crisis readiness and proposes strategies to develop and sustain it in organizations. Using a qualitative research approach, the authors conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with cybersecurity experts and managers across five industries in Switzerland, ranging from telecommunications to insurance. Our findings demonstrate the importance of a structured preparedness, proactive prevention, and adaptive foresight to promote vigilance, continuous learning, and proactive cybersecurity measures. They point out to specific challenges in the cyber context such as resource constraints, collaborative approaches to prevention, and the nuanced role of leadership in cultivating a foresight mindset. To our knowledge this is the first study to explore cyber crisis readiness and the process to achieve it.