Cybersecurity behaviours of the employees and students at the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify the most common characteristics that make Internet users at the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences (SKA) vulnerable to various threats. This includes password management habits, online banking, shopping and payment behaviours, time spent online, use of public Wi-Fi, gaming and watching movies online. Additionally, the study seeks to review the dangers users encounter and how cautious they are, such as which online activities they consider the most dangerous and which they perceive as safe.Design/methodology/approachThe data used in this paper is based on an overview of relevant literature, highlighting previous studies and methodologies and explaining why the human factor is considered the weakest link in cybersecurity. This research aims to help characterise the patrons of the SKA and make suggestions for future training and research. For this purpose, the students, administrative employees and academic staff of the SKA were investigated. A five-point scale questionnaire with 54 questions was used as the methodology of the study, considering the following four scales: risky behaviour, conservative behaviour, risk exposure behaviou