Information Ethics & Social Context as Drivers of Cybersecurity Resilience in South Africa’s Uneven Digital Landscape

Abstract

South Africa’s rapid digital transformation has expanded socio-economic participation while simultaneously intensifying exposure to cyber risks. These risks are unevenly distributed across society due to persistent digital inequalities, infrastructure gaps and variations in digital literacy. This paper argues that cybersecurity resilience in South Africa cannot be achieved through technical controls alone but must be grounded in information ethics and social context. Using an integrative systemic literature review, the study synthesises research on cybersecurity resilience, information ethics and socio-technical systems within South Africa and comparable environments. The findings reveal recurring socio-ethical patterns in which ethical governance, trust, digital justice, and community-level practices either enable or constrain resilience at the individual, institutional, and societal levels. The paper proposes a Socio-Ethical Cybersecurity Resilience Framework that integrates ethical governance, social behaviour, and institutional responsibility. The framework offers context-sensitive guidance for policymakers, educators and practitioners seeking to strengthen inclusive and sustainable cybersecurity resilience.