Raising cybersecurity awareness and behaviour among employees in South African higher education institutions (HEIs)

This dataset reflects a comprehensive overview of employees' cybersecurity awareness and behaviour within South African (SA) higher education institutions (HEIs). The data were collected through a structured survey from employees within SA HEIs, including responses about various factors influencing cybersecurity behaviour. The dataset encompasses variables such as:

• EDU: The participants' level of education.
• CAPOL: Cybersecurity Policy Awareness.
• CA1-CA5: Cybersecurity Awareness.
• ICP1-ICP4: Institutions Cybersecurity Policies.
• CEI1-CEI6: Cybersecurity Experience.
• ATT1-ATT5: Attitudes towards cybersecurity.
• SN1-SN4: Subjective Norms.
• PBC1-PBC4: Perceived Behavioural Control.
• TA1-TA4: Threat Appraisal.
• CRE1-CRE3: Cybersecurity Response Efficacy.
• CSE1-CSE4: Cybersecurity Self-Efficacy.
• CCB1-CCB4: Cybersecurity-Compliant Behaviours.
• CA, ICP, CEI, ATT, SN, PBC, TA, CRE, CSE, CCB: Aggregate scores for each factor.

The variables are from institutional cybersecurity environments, theory of planned behaviour and protection motivation. The researcher assessed each factor using up to six questionnaire items developed and adapted from relevant literature. The data employ a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("strongly disagree") to 5 ("strongly agree") to gauge these perceptions. The dataset was analysed using structural equation modelling, ANOVA, and post hoc procedures.

The dataset is crucial for analysing the factors contributing to cybersecurity-compliant behaviour among employees and developing strategies to enhance cybersecurity practices in educational institutions. This dataset can be used for various analytical purposes, including regression analysis, structural equation modelling, and hypothesis testing, to explore the relationships between variables and their impact on cybersecurity behaviour.