SCSAM-Elderly: A New Synergistic Cyber Security Model for the Elderly for IR4.0 Readiness in Malaysia

This paper proposes a cyber security awareness model for the elderly. This is in line with the concept of equality that underlies the Vision for Common Prosperity 2030, in which the elderly is the most affected group in Malaysia's transition to the Industrial Revolution 4.0. Due to the digitization and cyber-related revolution in the industry, cyber security issues involving the elderly have become a serious concern especially among cyber security experts, academics, and researchers. Governments and relevant agencies have used several existing cyber security awareness models. However, most of the existing models are too technical for the elderly thus are not suitable for them especially if they suffer from disabilities and impairments. Therefore, this study aims to identify the elements and proposes a new synergistic cyber security model. First, a feasibility study was conducted, and several literatures related to cybersecurity awareness and learning styles of the elderly were reviewed. Second, based on the literature, existing cybersecurity awareness models were analysed. Finally, a cyber security awareness model was mapped to the learning styles of the elderly, contents of the current cyber-attack issues related to the elderly, questionnaire and technicality. The learning styles of the elderly were studied based on the types of disabilities and impairments. Based on the mapping results, a cyber security awareness model has been proposed for the elderly based on the Security Awareness Model and an Information Security Awareness Program (ISAPM) General Model. The expected outcome of this study is that the proposed model can be considered as a tool to spread awareness and educate the elderly about cybersecurity. The future work of the proposed model will be analysed to see its effectiveness, as well as to validate and conduct comparative studies.