An assessment of cybersecurity awareness level among Northeastern University students in Nigeria

Abstract

<p>The world economy today has adopted the internet as a medium of transactions, this has made many organizations use the internet for their daily activities. With this, there is an urgent need to have knowledge in cybersecurity and also how to defend critical assets. The objective of this paper is to identify the level of cybersecurity awareness of students in Northeastern Nigeria. A quantitative approach was used for data collection and cyberbully, personal information, internet banking, internet addiction, and Self-protection were the items ask for cybersecurity awareness level identification. Descriptive analysis was performed for initial result findings using SPSS and OriginPro for graphical design. the preliminary result shows of the students have some basic knowledge of cybersecurity in an item like internet banking, while other items like cyberbully, self-protection and, internet addiction result show moderate awareness, the students' participation based on gender, males constitute 77.1% i.e. (N=340) and females constitute 22.9% i.e. (N=101). Future research would concentrate on designing awareness programs that would increase the level of their awareness especially the students in the Northeastern part of Nigeria.</p>

A survey on college students’ cybersecurity awareness and education from the perspective of China

“…This finding aligns with previous literature. Garba et al (2020) found that over 95% of respondents had the desire to learn more about cybersecurity, and it is necessary to teach students how to secure their internet connection. Password protection remains a significant problem and needs to be improved, which is consistent with previous literature.…”

“…Al-Janabi and Al-Shourbaji (2016) investigated the ISA level of students and staff in educational environments in the Middle East and found that comprehensive ISA training programs could remedy the lack of necessary knowledge and understanding of information security. Garba et al (2020) surveyed students about their basic knowledge of ISA in Yobe State University (Nigeria) and suggested that corresponding ISA programs should be established gradually. The study also found that female students are more likely to be victims of cyber-attacks, and college students are enthusiastic about learning more about cybersecurity.…”

Preliminary review of cybersecurity coordination in Nigeria

“…Cybersecurity policy implementation is one of the standard practices that enable nations to achieve safe and secure cyberspace objectives. Among other reasons, the FGN developed its cybersecurity policy and strategy to enhance business prosperity via digitalization [17][18][19][20][21][22]. A policy that is implemented in accordance with the outlined strategy would: a.…”

“…Sensitization exposes users to the knowledge of dangers associated with cyber threats; thereby making them to comply with the strategies outlined to implement the policy instead of ignoring it. In [22], the writer argued that the knowledge gained could enable stakeholders defend themselves when attack occurs. It is in this regard that ONSA and ngCERT organized a Sector-based sensitization workshops for implementing NCPS 2021 under seven groups including telecommunication, education, power, oil and Gas amongst others held from September to December 2021.…”

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