Abstract:
Information system security is important to consider in an institution whose routine operations
expose their information systems to threat. The management of various activities in
organizations is the key issue as the perceptions of information system threats increase; however,
the basic need for understanding the effect of these threats in an organization’s information
resources is often ignored. Therefore, it was the aim of the study to assess the effect of
information system security threats in public institutions. The objectives of the study were; to
identify the effect of cybercrime on the utilization of information system resources at Kenya
School of Government; to establish the effect of strategies employed by Kenya School of
Government on Information Resource; to determine the effect of Information Technology
policies on Information Resource in Kenya School of Government and to find out challenges
Information System threats pose on organizational performance. The study employed the
descriptive survey research design. The study was carried out in the Kenya School of
Government Headquarters in Kabete and its constituent campuses namely: Embu, Baringo,
Matuga and Mombasa, the target population was 100 staff working in the ICT Department,
secretaries and records officers who handle information across the five campuses. All these had
valuable information in the day to day activities on information management in the campus
which was relevant in methodology since they interact with the campuses information systems
daily. The study used the questionnaire for data collection. The study employed census sampling
where the entire population was included in the study. Data analysis proceeded through four
major steps: data cleaning; coding; tabulations; and interpretation of results. Data processing was
carried out using Microsoft Excel and the findings were presented using tables and graphs. From
the results, it was evident that there are widespread ISS security threats at KSG, with the illegal
access to computer system being the highest at 70% and computer related acts causing personal
harm being the lowest at 40%. Research findings also indicate that the organizations have not
embraced ICT policies and strategies to help secure their systems; this is evidenced by 65%
respondents agree that they have an ICT policy in place. Organizational commitment to curb
cybercrime was rated highest at 79% which may be attributed to e-government requirements like
e-procurement and IFMIS which must be carried out online. Cost was rated as the highest
challenge in adopting and implementing ISS at 71%. This study managed to gather several
recommendations from the respondents amongst them being training users on ICT usage and its
security and strengthening ICT policies.
