INTRODUCTION
In the contemporary world where technology is rapidly advancing, Morocco is one of the leading countries empowering its people with adequate cybersecurity measures incorporating both technical and psychosocial dimensions. As security threats have become a concern for practitioners, mental health and cybersecurity concerns now intersect. The Moroccan government formulated its national cybersecurity policy in early 2022, which would go a long way in countering such dual threats through a new public-private partnership with international non-governmental organizations (Digital Watch, 2022). Morocco demonstrates its commitment to adopting a holistic approach to the security of its cyberspace by setting out a clear implementation plan emphasizing security by design. This paper aims to evaluate Morocco’s comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. It focuses on combining technological security mechanisms and social support interventions and analyses the significance of partnerships with other countries in developing these programs. This discussion will, therefore, examine the current implementation practices and results to draw valuable conclusions about the effectiveness of the Moroccan model and the possibility of using it in other countries.
ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE CYBERSECURITY FRAMEWORK
The pillars of Morocco’s cybersecurity include risk management, security of systems, and cooperation with other countries (Digital Watch, 2022). The government has developed enhanced plans to increase the number of digital graduates in public universities threefold by 2027 to produce a robust workforce to address the technical and human aspiration of digital security (Fernandez, 2024). This reflects the strategy’s focus on cultivating human capital. These environments, especially where digital transformation is gaining momentum, require technical proficiency and psychological knowledge to achieve cyber resilience. Research has shown that organizations cannot separate capability and motivation for improving cyber-resilient behaviour in small and medium-sized enterprises with limited resources (van-der-Kleij & Leukfeldt, 2020). The development of the centralized e-government portal also demonstrates that Morocco is enhancing the efficiency of administrative procedures coupled with the highest security measures. This is followed by an initiative to create digital jobs to attract large technology companies to the country. This integration enables cybersecurity to function as a system rather than a separate entity added to existing systems, thus making it integral to the entire development process.
INTEGRATING PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT IN CYBERSECURITY
The Moroccan approach to cybersecurity is distinctive as its leadership recognizes the impact of cyberspace events on people’s mental health. Evidence conducted in the past year has revealed that employees, both IT and non-IT personnel, suffer from distress, emotional exhaustion, and post-traumatic stress after cyber-attacks (Cahyandari et al., 2024). Thus, Morocco has implemented extensive strategies in its healthcare system, including telemedicine, to help healthcare professionals and patients connect through mental health services (El-Jardali et al., 2023). Besides managing the psychological consequences of cyber attacks, these technologies have produced positive results in case management, disease diagnosis, and the advancement of health providers’ skills. This can result in increased positive health status and treatment compliance rates, but challenges remain in factors like computer skills, hardware, and security. Combining counselling support and discussion groups can significantly enhance the integration of technical and psychological strategies for resilience.
LEVERAGING INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR ENHANCED SUPPORT
Morocco’s strategy relies on international non-governmental organizations to implement the integrated approach. Such partnerships have proven helpful in establishing context- and user-appropriate Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) interventions that have been adopted locally (UNHCR, 2023). The partnerships have facilitated the application of EBPs and addressed critical issues related to data collection, use, and protection, where the use of technologies in teaching and learning rapidly advances. Research highlights the importance of cognitive and social factors and confirms that international collaboration is crucial for proper support (Al-Hashem & Saidi, 2023). From the discussion above, it is evident that media and social aspects influence the perception and culture of higher learning institutions regarding cybersecurity threats, thus requiring contextual and culture-based approaches. These partnerships have established work-segment training programs to reach all the high-risk populations and other categories to standardize equal digital processes between different classes in Moroccan society (Khan et al., 2023). These approaches can lead to the development of sound and sustainable measures in the fight against cybercrimes, with personnel and experts having specific roles and responsibilities, awareness of current cultures, and contextual factors.
DISCUSSION
The combination of protective mechanisms that regulate cybersecurity and initiatives to develop programs to support the population’s mental health is a good step towards higher security in the digital world. It has reinforced organizations while at the same time enhancing human security, hence proving useful in situations that traditional security measures have failed to deliver. From the existing research, demographic and digital factors impact university students’ cybersecurity behaviour (Khan et al., 2023). It is also evident that attitudes and practices concerning decision-making processes guarantee that organizational users implement safe behaviours, which helps avoid most cybercrimes. Therefore, Morocco should offer technical safety measures and psychological support for individuals involved in the digitalization process, especially for regions where an active digitalization process is launching.
CONCLUSION
Morocco’s strategy of integrating cybersecurity into the support programs is valuable as it enhances defence in the digital sector and the well-being of its people. The model used best illustrates the need for acquiring external support as well as methods of cultural adjustment. Future examination of these aspects should focus on preserving privacy and preventing threats that may appear in other aspects of life. From the international experience discussed, the best cyber resilience strategy combines technical actions with psychological assistance. In the context of the increased cyber-threats today, having high-tech measures and practical psychological assistance makes it possible to restore people who suffered from cyber-attacks and return them to everyday life.
Hayat Daghay, Behaviorist/Doctorate in International Psychology Organizational and Systems/ ABA