Assessment of the Effects of Access Control on Reducing Cybercrimes in the Selected Telecommunication Companies in Tanzania

Abstract

This study specifically aimed to determine the effects of access control on reducing cybercrimes. Since much research has yet to be done to evaluate how privacy, data integrity, and access control affect the overall decline in cybercrimes, this study is conducted to help telecommunication companies employ and strengthen access control measures to safeguard company and customer information. This study employed a quantitative research approach, and the data collected were analysed using regression analysis techniques. Data was collected through questionnaires in a Likert-scaled form and in-depth interviews. The sample size of this study was 199 employees from the selected companies. The data collected was analysed using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The findings show that the general correlation between independent and dependent variables is 0.01, whereby specific consideration shows that Access Control (AC) had a correlation of .117, which was significant at .004. The correlation analysis confirms a positive and significant relationship between access control and the reduction of cybercrimes since the p-value was <.005. This study concludes that despite the roles played by the access control mechanisms provided by telecommunication companies, there is a need to enhance both internal and external control measures, such as strengthening the security policies to impose severe sanctions on individuals who try to tamper with the information systems of the telecommunication companies. Hence, this study recommends the provision of more awareness to the user of information systems both within and outside the telecommunication companies because data breaches happen either through internal or external sources; hence, it is essential that training, education, and other means to enhance knowledge about cybercrimes should be implemented.