Awareness and perception of cybersecurity among librarians in federal universities in South-West, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated awareness and perception of cybersecurity among librarians in federal universities in South-West, Nigeria with the aid of descriptive survey research approach. Questionnaire was used to elicit information from 179 librarians and system librarians, out of which 167 (93.3%) copies of the questionnaire were duly completed and returned. The data collected were analyzed using frequency count, percentages and Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis to test for the significant relationship between awareness and perception of cybersecurity among librarians tested at 0.05 level of significance with the aid of SPSS Version 21. The study revealed that the level of awareness of cybersecurity among librarians in Federal Universities in South-West, Nigeria is moderate. The findings also revealed that to a high extent are librarians in federal universities in South-West, Nigeria are aware of the potential cyber threats and attacks to library resources. The study showed that librarians perceived that deliberate attack to destroy sensitive data in the library database is unjust (mean=1.62), the use of the computer in committing crimes is unjust (mean=1.61) and that having an unauthorized access to data and other computerized systems (hacking) is considered unjust (mean=1.56). The study revealed that hardware skill (mean= 3.21), software skill (mean=3.10), operating system skills and programming language skills (mean=3.01) were the main librarians’ information technology skills to secure library resources. The study further showed that librarians make use of technical security measures in the libraries through access control and password security (mean=3.26), through video surveillance (CCTV system) (mean=3.25) and through installation of updated software (mean=3.11); and the use of non-technical security measures in libraries are through burglary protection and fire extinguishers (mean=3.16) and architectural considerations (mean=3.07). The study also showed that crashing of a computer due to virus, malware, hackers etc (mean=2.99), lack of fund (mean=2.94) and lack of trained information technology (IT) manpower (mean=2.91) were the main challenges encountered in securing information resources against cyberattacks by librarians. There is no significant relationship between awareness and perception of cybersecurity among librarians in Federal Universities in South-West Nigeria. The study recommended that Government should provide adequate fund for universities to run their library effectively. Many universities experiences lack of fund to improve their library. Meanwhile, to provide appropriate security measures in libraries, there is a need of availability of funds.