Cybersecurity Knowledge of The Cagayan State University Academic Community: Basis for Cybersecurity Policy

Abstract

Generally, this study investigated the cybersecurity knowledge of the faculty members, students and administrative staff of Cagayan State University. The researcher utilized descriptive-correlational design to answer the research questions. Eight campuses of Cagayan State University were used as locale of the study and there were 1,555 respondents. The results revealed that the top two online activities of the respondents are messaging applications like Facebook messenger and videoconferencing like Zoom, Google Meet and MS Teams. The least online activity is downloading and uploading videos. Notably, the respondents’ level of cybersecurity practices is highly favorable. The test of difference showed that students have a significantly lower level of exposure in downloading and using software application than faculty members and administrative staff. Furthermore, the administrative staff has the highest cybersecurity knowledge while the students have the lowest. The study concludes that the members of the academic community of Cagayan State University (CSU) are well informed about the aspects, importance and effects of cybersecurity.  Such awareness is translated into positive cybersecurity practices which may have reduced their exposure to cybercrimes. Among members of the CSU academic community, the students need more improvement on cybersecurity knowledge and cybersecurity practice as compared to the faculty members and administrative staff.  Hence, much is desired to capacitate them through the proposed cybersecurity policy.