Security information sharing via Twitter: 'Heartbleed' as a case study

Briggs, Pam; Coventry, Lynne; Jeske, Debora; McNeill, Andrew R.

Security information sharing via Twitter: 'Heartbleed' as a case study

Files

heartbleed accepted version.pdf(957.75 KB)

Accepted Version

Date

2017-06-08

Authors

Briggs, Pam

Coventry, Lynne

Jeske, Debora

McNeill, Andrew R.

Publisher

Inderscience

Published Version

https://doi.org/10.1504/ijwbc.2017.10005189

Abstract

The current paper outlines an exploratory case study in which we examined the extent to which specific communities of Twitter users engaged with the debate about the security threat known as 'Heartbleed' in the first few days after this threat was exposed. The case study explored which professional groups appeared to lead the debate about Heartbleed, the nature of the communication (tweets and retweets), and evidence about behaviour change. Using keywords from the Twitter user profiles, six occupational groups were identified, each of which were likely to have a direct interest in learning about Heartbleed (including legal, financial, entrepreneurial, press, and IT professionals). The groups participated to different degrees in the debate about Heartbleed. This exploratory case study provides an insight into information sharing, potential communities of influence, and points for future research in the absence of a voice of authority in the field of cybersecurity.

Keywords

Heartbleed , Tweet content , Influence , Behavioural change

Citation

Jeske, D., McNeill, A. R., Coventry, L. and Briggs, P. (2017) 'Security information sharing via Twitter:'Heartbleed'as a case study', International Journal of Web Based Communities, 13(2), pp.172-192. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijwbc.2017.10005189