Abstract
This paper focuses on the importance of policies, procedures and employee training and awareness as aid to manage risks associated with the usage of mobile devices in local government entities in the Namakwa District of the Northern Cape region. A quantitative research method was applied in the study by obtaining responses from a sample of participants in the Namakwa District of the Northern Cape region, using closed-ended questions in the questionnaire, which provided the participants with a predetermined list of coded responses. The results were analyzed and indicated that the majority of the respondents do utilize mobile devices in their organizations. In general, these entities make more use of laptops than any other types of mobile devices. The results indicate that these organizations also still apply the traditional approach of providing their employees with specifically approved types of mobile devices (corporate-owned device) and therefore, do not support the Bring-Your-Own-Device or Choose-Your-Own-Device strategy. There is a clear indication that more efforts are required to ensure improvement, specifically relating to the development of a privacy and security policy and/or procedures as well as providing user training and awareness within municipal organizations.
Highlights
The introduction of mobile devices has resulted in offices not being the only place where business is conducted, as access to the enterprise’s network is possible with such devices
Results emanating from the study is based on responses from individuals employed within the Local Government entities in the Namakwa District, with the following information: Respondent’s age
When respondents were asked whether formal policies/procedures are in place guiding users/employees, and whether training and awareness are available to users/employees in instances where mobile device usage is allowed within Local Government entities in the Namakwa District; it is evident that significant improvement is required in this area
Summary
The introduction of mobile devices has resulted in offices not being the only place where business is conducted, as access to the enterprise’s network is possible with such devices. Employees have started to utilize mobile devices for business and personal use, which comes with potential risk exposure to organizations. The study aims to ascertain whether these organizations that permit the use of mobile device connections to their networks is managing the associated risks (Singh et al 2018). The study looked at whether these organizations developed and implemented an approved privacy and security policy and/or procedure to guide their employees, as well as educate them on security awareness and offer them with training (El-Sofany & El-Haggar, 2020). Considering the usage of mobile devices by employees within these municipalities in the Namakwa District during their day-to-day activities, an increased probability exists on the associated risk exposures materializing. Guidance to employees in the form of approved policies and/or procedures, as well as user training and awareness (education) is fundamental within these entities, and could not be overemphasized
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