Governance and digital risk: How board composition influences cybersecurity disclosure in lebanese banks

Banks are concerned about cybersecurity (CS) and reputational losses nowadays in light of growing cyberattacks and the possibility for major financial loss; hence, transparency in CS policies is necessary. This study looks at the impact of board characteristics on cybersecurity disclosure (CSD) of Lebanese banks. The study employs panel data derived from 50 Lebanese banks over the period 2015-2024, yielding 500 bank-year observations. Using a Linear Probability Model with year control effects, the study examines how board size, board independence, board gender diversity, board meetings, board financial expertise, board digital expertise, and board age influence CSD practices. The findings indicate that board size, board independence, board gender diversity, board digital expertise, and board age positively influence CSD, whereas board meetings and board financial expertise demonstrate negative associations. The study contributes to the growing CS governance literature by providing evidence from a developing banking context characterized by institutional uncertainty, voluntary disclosure practices, and increasing digital risk exposure.