Assessment on the level of information security awareness at the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA)

Abstract

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Literature confirms the significance of information security, and its importance due to increased reliance on information communication technology (ICT). This stems from the risks and threats associated with the high connectivity and interconnectedness of the current world. Information security awareness (ISA) in relation to employees has become topical, as there is a need for organisations to maintain a competitive advantage, legal compliance and an overall commercial image, which positively influences the organisation's cash flow and profitability. Albeit, technology advances within the information security field, such as hardware, software, and networking system initiatives have been a pioneering shift towards the protection of information and even prevented threats of information security breaches. It does, however, remain that initiatives aimed at ISA are critical to all information security programmes. The successful application of initiatives and programmes aimed at ISA are dependent on the establishment of an appropriate initiative or programme, therefore the organisation’s level of ISA must first be established before a suitable information security awareness programme can be formulated and implemented. This study used the survey research model to determine the level of employee awareness of information security within the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA).The survey contained a range of questions and was used to gather data from employees of the Government Pensions Administration Agency. Statistical methods such as mean and standard deviation were utilised to analyse the data collected from respondents. An analysis of the data suggests that there is generally a high level of information security awareness at the GPAA.