Value-focused assessment of information communication and technology security awareness in an academic environment

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to introduce the approach of value-focused thinking when identifying information and communications technology (ICT) security awareness aspects. Security awareness is important to reduce human error, theft, fraud, and misuse of computer assets. A strong ICT security culture cannot develop and grow in a company without awareness programmes. How can personnel follow the rules when they don't know what the rules are? [1] This paper focuses on ICT security awareness and how to identify key areas of concern to address in ICT security awareness programmes by making use of the value-focused approach. The result of this approach is a network of objectives where the fundamental objectives are the key areas of concern that can be used in decision making in security planning. © 2006 International Federation for Information Processing.