Degree Name
EdD (Doctor of Education)
Program
Educational Leadership
Date of Award
8-2008
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Jasmine R. Renner
Committee Members
James H. Lampley, Phillip E. Pfeiffer IV, Terrence A. Tollefson
Abstract
A mixed-methods study, conducted in 2007-2008, designed to quantify and assess behaviors that either protect or expose data at academic institutions to information security attacks. This study focused on computing practices at two academic institutions: East Tennessee State University and Milligan College. Interviews with six information technology professionals and online surveys were used to assess faculty and staff members' awareness and practice of safe computing behaviors. The constant comparison method was used to analyze qualitative data. Descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate analysis of variance techniques were used to analyze the quantitative data.
Overall, the analyses indicated that the faculty and staff members at these institutions were equally aware of information security issues and practices and tended to practice safe computing behaviors--though apparently at a level that was less than commensurate with their awareness of these behaviors. Raised awareness correlated with safe computing behaviors, as did computer usage: those who had used computers for more than 20 years appeared to be more aware of safe practice than those who had used computers for 20 years or less. Password management emerged as a major challenge for the participants. They were also concerned with phishing emails and they tended not to be aware of FERPA regulations.
Document Type
Dissertation - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Nyabando, Chiwaraidzo Judith, "An Analysis of Perceived Faculty and Staff Ccomputing Behaviors That Protect or Expose Them or Others to Information Security Attacks." (2008). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1972. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1972
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.