Developing a Measurement Scale to Assess the Perception of Cybersecurity Among Employees in the Maritime Industry

Abstract

The emergence of Industry 4.0, within the historical context of industrial revolutions shaped by human needs, signifies a rapid integration of technology into society. Despite societal concerns about technology displacing human labor, cybersecurity is a significant challenge associated with Industry 4.0. This study aims to create a "5-point Likert Scale" to assess the conceptual awareness of cybersecurity among maritime transportation sector employees. The "Cybersecurity Awareness Scale" consists of 43 queries and is subjected to rigorous validity and reliability analyses. Administered to 200 individuals in Istanbul, Türkiye, the scale revealed varying awareness levels, with information technology personnel showing high awareness and others exhibiting comparatively lower awareness, both organizationally and regarding individual security vulnerabilities. This scale contributes significantly to evaluating companies' cybersecurity awareness, aiding them in identifying strengths and weaknesses and implementing necessary measures. Future research can deepen theoretical discussions by utilizing the scale to uncover regional and sectoral differences in cybersecurity awareness. Recommendations include larger sample sizes for subsequent studies, enabling comprehensive comparisons and enriching the literature on this subject.