Given the expansion of cyberspace in all aspects of people's lives and the increasing importance of its governance, the aim of this study is to diagnose the status of cyberspace governance in Iran. To this end, the Composite Cyberspace Governance Index (CGI) was measured in August and September 1403 using five methods: existing registration data, a national survey with a sample size of 1,200 people, a specialized survey of businesses related to cyberspace with a sample size of 300 people, big data mining of social networks, and a survey of 64 cyberspace experts. The data were scaled and aggregated; then the status of cyberspace governance was analyzed. The findings showed that the composite cyberspace governance index score was 40.5 out of 100 and the status of all four of its components was assessed as below average. The best status is related to "government effectiveness" with a score of 43.7 and "national power" with a score of 43.5. "Social capital" with 39.4 and "rule of law" with 35.3 have the lowest scores. Also, administrative affairs and services such as creating access infrastructure, e-government, cybersecurity, and self-sufficiency in basic applied services are among its strengths, which can be a starting point for solving more complex problems and attracting community support. Its weaknesses are in the accountability system, knowledge economy, advancing macro policies, and government accountability. Therefore, future policies should strive to promote trust between people and governance and frame the behaviors of actors in light of the law. To this end, it should move away from traditional tools such as prohibition and coercion to more diverse approaches, pay attention to the principle of balance between the pillars of governance, and consider the long-term effects of policies on these pillars.
Naficy, A. , حدادی, ع. and Hosseini, F. S. (2026). Pathology of the state of cyberspace governance in Iran based on the measurement of the CGI composite index. Science and Technology Policy Letters, 16(1), -.
MLA
Naficy, A. , , حدادی, ع. , and Hosseini, F. S. . "Pathology of the state of cyberspace governance in Iran based on the measurement of the CGI composite index", Science and Technology Policy Letters, 16, 1, 2026, -.
HARVARD
Naficy, A., حدادی, ع., Hosseini, F. S. (2026). 'Pathology of the state of cyberspace governance in Iran based on the measurement of the CGI composite index', Science and Technology Policy Letters, 16(1), pp. -.
CHICAGO
A. Naficy , ع. حدادی and F. S. Hosseini, "Pathology of the state of cyberspace governance in Iran based on the measurement of the CGI composite index," Science and Technology Policy Letters, 16 1 (2026): -,
VANCOUVER
Naficy, A., حدادی, ع., Hosseini, F. S. Pathology of the state of cyberspace governance in Iran based on the measurement of the CGI composite index. Science and Technology Policy Letters, 2026; 16(1): -.
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