Open Access

ARTICLE

A Conceptual Framework for Cybersecurity Awareness

Kagiso Komane^1,*, Lucas Khoza², Fani Radebe¹

1 Department of Applied Information Systems, College of Business Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
2 School of Computing, College of Science, Engineering & Technology, University of South Africa, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa

* Corresponding Author: Kagiso Komane. Email:

Journal of Cyber Security 2025, 7, 79-108. https://doi.org/10.32604/jcs.2025.059712

Received 15 October 2024; Accepted 21 April 2025; Issue published 20 May 2025

Abstract

Financial support, government support, cyber hygiene, and ongoing education and training as well as parental guidance and supervision are all essential components of cybersecurity awareness (CSA) identified in this study among the youth. It’s critical to realize that adequate funding is needed to effectively increase CSA, particularly among South African youth. Previous studies have demonstrated several ways to address inadequate CSA by utilizing various cybersecurity frameworks, ideas, and models. To increase CSA, this literature review seeks to emphasize the significance of integrating cybersecurity education throughout the entire school curriculum. This paper identified ethical issues, protection of digital assets and unskilled personnel as some of the cybersecurity challenges faced by the youth. Some of the challenges facing domestic cybersecurity education include social integration, structural capabilities, cybersecurity skills, financial resources, and governance ability. In addition, the goal of the literature study is to assess the necessary components including cybersecurity theories, independent variables, methodologies, participants, data analysis, and recommendations for the proposed conceptual framework for CSA. Only 193 of the roughly 1000 journal articles that were gathered were used in the literature review. The primary findings showed that the two most prevalent hypotheses in the reviewed literature were the Theory of Reasoned Action and the Theory of Planned Behavior. Most of the data was gathered from Gauteng-based university or college students between the ages of 18 and 23. Data were gathered using a mixed technique approach that included interviews and a questionnaire. The target variables in the research that were analyzed were behavioral intention and the current state of CSA. The review and analysis provided various research issues that might be looked at in future studies, as well as practical consequences.

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Keywords

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