Cyber Security Hurdles Confronting Employees within Nigeria Digital Workplaces

Authors: Adebayo Ademola Riliwan, Sholanke Oluwafunmbi Benedict, Ogunode Rotimi Samuel and Elekula Oluwafemi Idowu (Computer Science Department, Federal School of Surveying, Oyo)

Journal: Nigerian Journal Of Technical Education | Volume: 24 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 30 - 52

Keywords: cyber security, digital workplace, Nigeria, human errors

Abstract

Businesses are integrating information and communication technology (ICT) and in their operations in other to ensure survival within Nigerian digital workplaces. However, this reliance on technology presents challenges, as it is susceptible to attacks stemming from both technical vulnerabilities and human errors. Human factors, in particular, pose significant obstacles for organizations, given their complex nature and the predominant role humans play in cybersecurity incidents. Therefore, research to explore the cybersecurity challenges faced by employees of digital organizations in Nigeria's digital workplace was carried out. Qualitative research and semi-structured interviews were employed to gather data from 50 individuals working in different digital firms across Nigeria. Thematic analysis was utilized to analyse the data, revealing six prominent themes: lack of adequate knowledge and training, deficiencies in passwords and authentication, the impact of bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies, insider risks, vulnerabilities to social engineering attacks, and the challenges associated with remote work. Subthemes were further infer based on participant response. The findings highlight the extent to which employees in Nigerian digital workplaces lag in cybersecurity awareness and preparedness, underscoring the need for concerted efforts to address these issues effectively. This paper provides an overview of cybersecurity challenges encountered by Nigeria's digital workers and lays a foundation for future regional cybersecurity research endeavours. .