Evaluating Cybersecurity Policy with Program Theories and Process Tracing: Application and Practical Tips. Simone Busetti (University of Teramo)
FBK-IRVAPP is pleased to invite you to the following seminar: Evaluating Cybersecurity Policy with Program Theories and Process Tracing: Application and Practical Tips .
With the participation of Simone Busetti (Department of Political Sciences, University of Teramo)
Abstract
The seminar will explore the use of program theories and process tracing to evaluate public policy. The case study regards incident reporting, a cornerstone of cybersecurity legislation, adopted widely worldwide but whose efficacy and implementation have never been evaluated before. The seminar presents a theory-based evaluation using the methods of realist synthesis and process tracing. We develop a program theory of incident reporting hypothesizing its dual role as a fire alarm and a catalyst for policy learning. The program theory is tested by drawing upon a range of literature and official documents, supplemented by insights from the Italian context through interviews with key informants. The evaluation reveals mixed findings. While incident reporting effectively serves as a fire alarm, particularly for organizations with limited cybersecurity capacity, challenges persist due to capacity gaps and a reluctance to report incidents. The link between incident reporting and policy learning remains tenuous, with evidence of inertia hindering the implementation of more radical changes.
The seminar is held in English.
Guest Speakers
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Simone Busetti - Guest SpeakerSimone Busetti is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at the Department of Political Science, University of Teramo. He is an expert in qualitative methods and theory-based evaluation and has an extensive record of evaluation research for national and international funding bodies (e.g., Horizon 2020, ESPON EU). Currently, he is coordinating the team on policy evaluation in the project "Cybersecurity (as a) Public Policy" funded by the Italian Ministry of Research (PRIN2020) and is the national PI for the project “Evaluating Food Security Policy” (PRIN PNRR). He has published in leading journals such as Policy Sciences, Evaluation, Policy & Politics, Public Policy & Administration. He is a member of the scientific board of the RIV Rassegna Italiana di Valutazione.
Registration
Registration to this event is mandatory.
Registration closed on 08/07/2024.