International Conference on Economics, Finance & Business, Rome

MAPPING CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH IN FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONTEXTS: TRENDS, KEY CONTRIBUTORS, AND EMERGING THEMES

JAKUB SOPKO, LEOŠ ŠAFÁR

Abstract:

This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to map the intellectual structure and thematic evolution of cybersecurity research in financial and economic contexts from 2000 to June 2025. Using 866 articles and conference proceedings retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, the analysis combines descriptive performance indicators with co-citation and co-occurrence network techniques to examine publication trends, leading contributors, and emerging research streams. The results show a steady increase in publication activity, with a significant surge after 2017 driven by regulatory initiatives, high-profile cyber incidents, and rapid digitalization in the financial sector. A highly concentrated productivity pattern is evident, with a small group of influential scholars contributing disproportionately to the field. Leading journals, such as Computers & Security and Journal of Operational Risk, indicate the interdisciplinary nature of the research, integrating technical, financial, and governance perspectives. Thematic network analysis reveals a shift from fragmented technical or behavioral studies toward integrated research streams, where artificial intelligence, fintech, systemic governance, and risk management converge. This transition highlights the growing focus on financial system resilience, risk transfer mechanisms, and strategic investment in cybersecurity. The study provides a structured overview of the field’s development and identifies research gaps to guide future work on managing systemic cyber risks in financial systems.

Keywords: cybersecurity, fintech, bibliometric analysis, financial institutions, cyberattack