National Security Emerges As A Main Concern For 2016 Presidential Race

Twenty-one percent of the participants considered national security and terrorism as a top priority, making it the second most important issue after job creation and economic growth.

During the 2012 race, only 6 percent of those polled chose national security as their top priority.

ISIS A Cause

Many attribute the rise in concern for the nation's security to a growing Islamic State presence in the Middle East.

Over the past four years, beheadings and terrorist attacks in several nations have created a sense of urgency to shore up national defense capabilities among Americans.

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Cybercrime has been another reason Americans consider defense a top priority. Last year's hacking attacks on private companies like Sony Corp (ADR) SNE and Target Corporation TGT, as well as security breaches in the government's social media accounts proved that the U.S. has a long way to go before it will be able to keep up with the changing landscape of cybercrime.

Presidential candidates in 2016 will have to answer to the growing majority who worry that the government isn't doing enough to manage cyber threats, while still placating those who worry that large scale data collection will violate Americans' privacy rights.

A Republican Issue

Although the polls show that national defense will be important to all U.S. voters, it appears that Republican candidates will be under the most pressure when it comes to defense.

The poll illustrated that 27 percent of Republicans saw national security as a top priority this year, compared to the 8 percent who viewed national security as most important in 2012.