Information security education, training, and awareness within the mobile financial services sector = Ukufundiswa, ukuqeqeshwa kanye nolwazi oluqondene nokuphepha kolwazi emkhakheni wezinsiza zezezimali ezisebenzisa omakhalekhukwini.

Abstract

Previous research has underscored the critical role of integrating technology, processes, and human factors in ensuring the resilience and security of Information Technology (IT) systems. Often, failures in IT systems within organizations stem not from technological weaknesses, but from insufficient user awareness regarding security protocols. This study delves into the significance of Information Security Awareness (ISA) in fostering secure behaviours among users of Mobile Financial Services (MFS) in Kenya. Through an examination of factors contributing to effective cybersecurity awareness initiatives, this research offers valuable insights for organizations evaluating the role of ISA in enhancing the cybersecurity practices of MFS users. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach that merges insights from financial services and information systems disciplines, this study draws on data collected from five counties in Kenya using questionnaires. The study encompasses 1159 MFS users and 23 professionals engaged in providing financial services through mobile channels. Results reveal that 52% of respondents experienced financial losses due to fraudulent mobile money transactions, while a significant 69% had never participated in any awareness sessions on mobile security. These findings underscore the pressing need for comprehensive training programs to instil secure behaviours among MFS users, particularly in light of the escalating adoption of MFS. To establish a robust framework for cybersecurity awareness tailored to MFS, the study adopts the NIST and MediaPro Adaptive awareness frameworks. Through thorough analysis, the research proposes the Adaptive Governance Awareness Model (AGAM). This model offers strategic guidelines for planning, evaluating, and implementing cybersecurity awareness initiatives targeting MFS users, thereby enhancing overall cybersecurity resilience within the MFS ecosystem.

Iqoqa. Ucwaningo lwangaphambilini lwagcizelela ukubaluleka kobuchwepheshe obuhlanganisiwe, izinqubo, kanye nezimo eziphathelene nabantu ekuqinisekiseni ukukwazi ukumela ubunzima kanye nokuphepha kwezinhlelo zobuchwepheshe bolwazi, i-Information Technology (IT). Ngokuvamile, ukuhluleka kwezinhlelo ze-IT ngaphakathi ezinhlanganweni akusuki ebuthakathakeni bobuchwepheshe kepha kusuka olwazini lwabasebenzisi olunganele maqondana nezindlela ezilandelwayo zokuphepha. Lolu cwaningo lugxila ekubalulekeni kwe-Information Security Awareness (ISA) okungukuba nolwazi ngokuphepha kolwazi, ukukhuthaza izindlela zokuziphatha eziphephile kubasebenzisi bama-Mobile Financial Services (MFS), okuyizinsiza zezezimali ezisebenzisa omakhalekhukhwini eKenya. Ngokuhlola izimo ezenezezela emizamweni efanele yokuqwashisa ngotwakuphepha, lolu cwaningo luveza amehlokujula abalulekile ezinhlanganweni ezihlola iqhaza le-ISA ekuthuthukiseni izinqubo zotwakuphepha kubasebenzisi be-MFS. Lolu cwaningo, ngokulandela inqubo ehlanganisa amehlokujula ezinsiza zezezimali kanye nemikhakha yezinhlelo zolwazi, lwakhela emininingweni eyaqoqwa ezifundeni ezinhlanu eKenya kusetshenziswa uhla lwemibuzo. Lolu cwaningo luthinta abasebenzisi be-MFS abayi-1159 kanye nochwepheshe abangama-23 ababandakanyekayo ekunikezeleni ngezinsiza zezezimali ngezikhungo zomakhalekhukhwini. Imiphumela iveza ukuthi ama-52% abaphendulayo balahlekelwa yizimali ngenxa yokuthengiselana okunokukhwabanisa kwezomakhalekhukhwini, kwathi abayisibalo esiphezulu esingama-69% babengakaze babambe iqhaza lapho kwakuqwashiswa khona ngokuphepha kwezomakhalekhukhwini. Le miphumela igcizelela isidingo esiphuthumayo sezinhlelo zokuqeqesha okuphelele ukufundisa abasebenzisi be-MFS ngokuziphatha okuphephile ikakhulukazi ngenxa yokwenyuka kwezinga lokusetshenziswa kwe-MFS. Lolu cwaningo lwamukela izindlelakusebenza zokuqwashisa eziyi-NIST kanye ne-MediaPro Adaptive ukusungula uhlakakusebenza oluqinile lokuqwashisa ngetwakuphepha esebenza kahle ne-MFS. Ngohlaziyo olunzulu, lolu cwaningo luphakamisa i-Adaptive Governance Awareness Model (AGAM). Le modeli inikeza imihlahlandlela enamasu okuhlela, ukuhlola, kanye nokusebenzisa imizamo yokuqwashisa ngotwakuphepha ebhekiswe kubasebenzisi be-MFS. Ngaleyo ndlela, kuyophakama ukumela ubunzima kotwakuphepha ngaphansi kohlelonhlaliswano lokuphilayo nokungaphili lwe-MFS.