Investigating the Information Security Awareness at Taibah University (TU)

Abstract

Information is one of the critical assets in every organization. Maintaining these assets and ensuring their security is a challenge, since it is a responsibility for every organization member. One of these challenges is employee, faculty, and student lack of security awareness that could affect the organization's assets. Therefore, this research paper investigates and examines the information security policy awareness in Taibah University's committee and their overall understanding of security. A qualitatively method is used to gain in depth data about TU committee’s awareness. An online survey was conducted to measure students’, faculty, and other employees’ awareness of three topics including, Taibah University security policies, information security crimes, and basic security actions. The findings of the survey shown a lack of security awareness and mostly between bachelor’s degree students. Therefore, TU institute should improve security education and provide training courses, workshops, and online libraries to raise students' awareness of security. A list of recommendations are proposed to enhance this awareness. This survey will help practitioners understand security awareness challenges and explore new and promising research opportunities in this field. To the best of our knowledge, this paper constitutes the first survey focusing on security policies awareness in TU.