Assessment Of Effect Of Information System Security Threats On Information Resources In Public Institutions: A Case Of Kenya School Of Government

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.