Are micro businesses secure as they move online? An assessment on the suitability of message based Chatbots for tailored content delivery

Parsons, Martin (2022) Are micro businesses secure as they move online? An assessment on the suitability of message based Chatbots for tailored content delivery. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

My research shows that micro-businesses (MB) are not secure as they move online post Covid. It is not a lack of information causing this as there is plenty available online, the problem is how it is being delivered and the way people are accessing it.

Chatbots are gaining popularity across sectors. However, as a content delivery tool, it is still in its infancy. A survey was used to initially assess local micro-businesses vulnerability to cyber-attacks as more of them moved online post-Covid and their general cyber security risk. The research showed they required a solution that provides simple access to easy-to-understand, affordable cyber security information. Next, I focused on a common theme from the survey, a lack of “easy-to-use information and training” and proceeded to ascertain if there was a problem with current delivery methods. I selected the most common methods, searching the net, online courseware and then added a third option, a Chatbot for comparison purposes. Chatbots do not appear to have been used in this area even though it is a modern communication channel available on all mobile devices.

In-depth interviews were conducted with 6 of these businesspeople. Users interacted with 3 different content delivery methods for cyber security information relevant to them via a Chatbot, Website and a custom-built Moodle course, in order to ascertain user preferences for a particular delivery method. The research shows that Chatbots may have a future as low-cost, easy-to-use cyber security content delivery systems for micro businesses that lack resources and technical skills. These Chatbots are now affordable, easier to design than in the past and can be scaled quickly. Future research and direction on the full implementation of a Chatbot to serve the needs of micro businesses for cyber security information and help in particular situations are discussed.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics > Electronic computers. Computer science T Technology > T Technology (General) > Information Technology > Electronic computers. Computer science Q Science > QA Mathematics > Computer software > Computer Security T Technology > T Technology (General) > Information Technology > Computer software > Computer Security
Divisions:	School of Computing > Master of Science in Cyber Security
Depositing User:	Tamara Malone
Date Deposited:	29 Dec 2022 11:21
Last Modified:	29 Dec 2022 11:21
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/6037

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