Abstract
Background: Cybersecurity awareness at universities is increasingly becoming a critical
concern, as educational institutions are prime targets for cyberattacks. that is pertinent globally
but specifically in South Africa, where universities have experienced a notable rise in
cybersecurity threats and attacks.
Objectives: This study aims to understand how accounting students handle cybersecurity
challenges and identify areas where education can be enhanced to better equip students for the
digital age.
Method: A mixed-methods approach was employed to assess the current state of cybersecurity
awareness among accounting students, utilising questionnaires with both open- and closeended
questions.
Results: The findings indicate that accounting students exhibit different levels of cybersecurity
awareness, with some demonstrating strong knowledge of cyber risks and protective measures,
while others show significant gaps in understanding and practice. While there is a clear
understanding of common phishing signs and good cyber hygiene practices, awareness of
advanced threats and social engineering tactics still needs to be improved. The variability in
students’ ability to identify fake phishing invoices and suspicious LinkedIn requests highlights
areas in need of increased cybersecurity awareness.
Conclusion: The results of this study underscore the necessity for enhanced and focused
cybersecurity awareness education and training programmes within university curricula to
better prepare students for the evolving cyber threat landscape.
Contribution: Cybersecurity awareness education fosters cybersecurity consciousness among
the accounting workforce, which is essential for navigating the digital economy and preparing
accounting students for this transition. This transition contributes to curriculum development
in cybersecurity awareness education in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) era.