Research on students’ perception of information technology security – a new era of threats

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the article is to diagnose the level of students’ awareness about the security of information technology, the risks associated with it, attitudes towards threats and to identify the way of obtaining knowledge about it, protecting oneself against cyber fraud. Design/methodology/approach: The achievements and results presented in the article were obtained on the basis of literature research and surveys conducted among 119 students. The research technique was a standardized questionnaire completed without the presence of an interviewer via a website. Findings: On the basis of the obtained quantitative research results, the basic threats related to the use of information technology were identified, the level of students' awareness of cybersecurity and the sources of their knowledge on the subject were assessed. Research limitations/implications: The analysis of the obtained opinions of students is only a signal of the problem of the needed changes in education on cyber security, threats and opportunities to protect against cybercrime. Research should be extended to other stakeholder groups (e.g. due to age, education, type of work performed) and in a larger area of threats. Competences of students in the field of cybersecurity as future employees are very important, as they affect the willingness to adapt and the level of involvement in new technologies. Practical implications: The results of the survey have a practical impact on the Police as a source of information on the general knowledge of students in the field of cybersecurity, where they meet it, where they get information about protecting themselves against the threat. Originality/value: Original research achievements include valuable research results in the area of cybersecurity among the young generation of students. Their knowledge and ability to protect, use and responsibly deal in the area of information technology security is important now and in the future. This ability also indicates gaps and/or appropriate directions of education in the topic in question. Keywords: information technology security, cybersecurity, online safety, grandson scams. Category of the paper: research work.