Implementation of methods to raise employee’s cybersecurity awareness in small businesses with small-scale IT teams

Schweizer, Jonas Luis (2023) Implementation of methods to raise employee’s cybersecurity awareness in small businesses with small-scale IT teams. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

With the increase of cyber treats and cyber criminals targeting small business, these businesses face heightened cybersecurity challenges in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. The human factor in the cybersecurity threat landscape is responsible for a considerable part of the cyber incidents. It is necessary to ensure that small businesses are not only equipped with the technology to mitigate incidents but also with the awareness and knowledge to stop them. This study investigates the most time-efficient web-based security training and education methods tailored for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The paper utilises different areas of focus that should be considered when preparing the training campaigns and delivers cybersecurity awareness training using different web-based training methods. Through an innovative efficiency metric, the study evaluates different delivery methods, with a focus on SMEs' unique limitations. The paper presents a comprehensive structured for designing and implementing Security Education and Training Awareness (SETA) campaigns. Results indicate that gamification training method appears as the most suitable method for SMEs. Also, the time spent creating training campaigns does not directly positively or negatively affect the learning outcomes. While recommendations mentioned increase of the data population for improved results, the paper successfully presents a targeted time-efficient approach to cybersecurity awareness education in SMEs which was still a gap in the research field.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Supervisors:	Name Email Spelman, Ross UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure 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 H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Small Business Sector
Divisions:	School of Computing > Master of Science in Cyber Security
Depositing User:	Ciara O'Brien
Date Deposited:	22 Apr 2025 17:31
Last Modified:	22 Apr 2025 17:31
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/7462

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