Abstract:
Internet-based attacks have become prevalent and are expected to increase as
technology ubiquity increases. Consequently, cybersecurity has emerged as an
essential concept in everyday life. Cybersecurity awareness (CSA) is a key defence in
the protection of people and systems. The research presented in this article aimed to
assess the levels of CSA among students at a private tertiary education institution in
South Africa. A questionnaire tested students in terms of four variables: cybersecurity
knowledge; self-perception of cybersecurity skills, actual cybersecurity skills and
behaviour; and cybersecurity attitudes. The responses revealed several misalignments,
including instances of “cognitive dissonance” between variables, which make the
students potentially vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The findings demonstrate the
need for targeted CSA campaigns that address the specific weaknesses of particular
populations of users.
