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Investigation of Cyber Security Risks, Practices, and Capability: A Point of Sale Perspective in Local Government Authorities of Tanzania
MUST JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT,
Vol. 2 No. 3 (2023): of Cyber Security Risks, Practices, and Capability: A Point of Sale Perspective in Local Government Authorities of Tanzania
Abstract
The use of point of sale (POS) in transaction services has become rampant in Tanzania, especially among Local Government Authorities (LGAs). This study investigated POS users' main cyber security risks in Tanzanian LGAs, their cyber security practises, and their capabilities. Data were collected from 300 respondents in the Mbeya and Songwe regions using purposive and simple random sampling. The study used a cross-sectional research design. The findings of the study indicate that 61% are unaware of the function of cookies, 43.3% do not keep IMEI numbers from the POS devices, 33% use simple passwords made up of numbers, 23% use Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) regularly in some capacity, and only 2.6% occasionally required reinstallation of the POS mobile application. Practices on measures against cyber security risks were observed to have a significant relationship with the age of POS users (X2 =56.62, critical value (α)=0.05, df =16 was 32.0 being < calculated X2). 40% of respondents in this study do not place a high priority on cyber security. Also, the study revealed that end-user errors and a shortage of cybersecurity specialists reduce cybersecurity capabilities. Thus, this study suggests fundamental solutions, including more awareness, training, security evaluation, and designing powerful mobile applications to secure POS transactions with Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain solutions to improve security practises and capabilities.
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