Information security adherence in institutions of higher education: a case study of American University of Nigeria

Abstract

Institution of higher education face a higher level of information security incidence and compromise such as data and information theft, malicious program infection, attack on the information systems infrastructure and computer network. The antagonistic impact of information security incidence includes compromise of confidential data and intellectual property, massive financial losses and increased level of information security vulnerability and threat. This study aims to determine the predictors of students’ adherence to safe information security behaviour in institution of higher education. In this study, we integrate variables from the Protection motivation theory (PMT) and the Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) theory in other to understand the willingness of student to practice safe information security behavior. This study utilized the quantitative research method for data gathering and analysis. A total of 276 responses were gotten from the respondents. The result showed that the threat appraisal, performance expectancy, effort Expectancy have significant impact on the intention to adhere to a safe information security behavior. While facilitating condition have significant impact on actual protection and also the intention have a significant impact on actual information security behavior. From the research findings, we identified threat appraisal, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating condition as the different predictors of student adherence to safe information systems security behavior. The research findings suggest that safe information security behavior is influenced by information security education and awareness. Furthermore, adequate support also influence safe information security behavior.