Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters/MBA)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37942
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Item Strategies to mitigate ransomware related cyber-attacks in South African financial institutions(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Mahlangu, Nqobile; Pillay, KiruDigital transformation has become topical amongst many organisations and industries alike. Inherent to the adoption of technology to optimise business processes and operations, cyber-attacks have become a growing concern, with ransomware becoming a top concern for organisations. South African banks have not been immune to the associated ransomware risks, as threat actors continue to find motivation to attempt infiltrating SA banks, compromising their confidentiality, integrity, and availability thereafter and demanding a ransom. Cyber-resilience is positioned as an attractive strategy to prevent and mitigate ransomware attacks. This study investigates the effectiveness of employing a cyber-resilience strategy in mitigating ransomware attacks within South African financial institutions, in particular SA banks. The study explores various best practices and factors that influence cyber-resiliency, the role that management plays in ensuring cyber-resiliency, and finally, various methods that can be employed to assess the effectiveness of cyber-resilience as a strategy. The study employs a qualitative research approach, using semi-structured interviews to collect data. With the permission granted by participants, all interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then analysed using thematic analysis. The research questions, which delve into the outlined research objectives, serve as a guide for the discussions of the findings. Literature and findings from the study show that ransomware is considered a top concern for SA banks, with an agreement that “it is not a matter of if ransomware attacks will happen, but rather a matter of when.” In response to this, findings show that the organisations covered in the scope of the study have employed a cyber-resilience strategy for prevention and mitigation of ransomware attacks, as it is noted as an effective strategy in preventing and mitigating ransomware attacksItem The Impact of Data Privacy Breaches on Consumer Privacy Concern and Patronage in the City of Johannesburg(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Maseleme, Petronella; Chalomba, NakuzeThe ongoing globalisation, technological advancements, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, along with the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, have made digital security increasingly relevant. The shift towards conducting business and exchanging personally identifying information and personal data on digital platforms has resulted in an increased risk of cyber-attacks. The main aim of this study was to investigate data privacy breaches and their impact on consumer privacy concerns in Johannesburg. This study specifically focuses on the impact of these breaches on consumer retention within the South African context, where previous studies have not explored the phenomenon in sufficient detail. Six hypotheses were benchmarked against questions posed to 150 digital customers using cluster random sampling from employees of the City of Johannesburg and students at the University of the Witwatersrand Business School. The results were analysed using structural equation modelling, regression analysis, and analysis of variance through the use of SPSS 26 software. The findings revealed a meaningful relationship between privacy concerns, trust, assurance, regulation, and digital safety and their impact on customer retention and patronage. This study contributes to the field in three ways: conceptually, theoretically, and strategically. The results provide insights for leaders and strategists to develop multi-faceted security strategies and improve customer digital safety and online experiences.