'It's Confusing, Insecure, and Messy' - Mapping the Gaps Between Stakeholders' Cybersecurity Mental Models in the Danish Defence Sector

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are facing growing cybersecurity threats amidst limited resources and regulatory complexity. This complexity stems from diverse stakeholders in the regulatory process, including policymakers, industry associations, and companies that must implement the regulations. Misalignments between these different stakeholders can further compound the complexity. Against this backdrop, we investigate the cybersecurity mental models held by three stakeholder groups in Denmark’s defence sector and how these mental models might influence regulatory processes. Using a qualitative approach combining focus groups with 6 policymakers, 11 policy promoters (industry associations), and 12 policy implementers (SMEs), we reveal key misalignments in perceptions of risk, threats, cyber readiness, and policy interpretation. Our findings further show that SMEs often treat cybersecurity as a compliance task, while policymakers assume strategic readiness. Based on our results, we suggest recommendations for aligning governance frameworks with organisational realities.