CYBERSECURITY THREATS AND INFORMATION SECURITY MANAGEMENT IN GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS WITHIN THE FCT, ABUJA

Abstract

Abstract  

This study examined cybersecurity threats and information security management in government institutions within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The increasing adoption of digital technologies and e-governance systems in Nigerian public institutions has improved administrative efficiency and service delivery, but it has also exposed government systems to rising cybersecurity threats, including phishing attacks, malware infections, ransomware, insider threats, and data breaches. The study aimed to identify the major cybersecurity threats affecting government institutions, assess the effectiveness of information security management systems, and determine the relationship between cybersecurity threats and the effectiveness of information security management within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the FCT, Abuja. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to selected staff members in government institutions within the FCT. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency distributions, percentages, and mean scores, were used to analyze the research questions, while Pearson's Product Moment Correlation (r) was used to test the hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that data breaches, phishing attacks, malware infections, ransomware attacks, and insider threats are the major cybersecurity threats affecting government institutions in Abuja. The study further revealed that information security management systems in these institutions are moderately effective, with weaknesses particularly evident in employee cybersecurity awareness, policy enforcement, and institutional coordination. The hypothesis test showed a significant relationship between cybersecurity threats and information security management effectiveness in government institutions within the FCT, Abuja (r = 0.71, p < 0.05). This indicates that increasing cyber threats significantly influence the implementation and improvement of information security management practices. The study concluded that government institutions within the FCT operate in a high-risk cyber environment and that existing information security management systems are not sufficiently proactive to effectively address evolving cyber threats. The study recommended proactive cybersecurity strategies, continuous staff training, stronger policy enforcement, investment in modern cybersecurity infrastructure, improved inter-agency collaboration, and increased government funding for cybersecurity development.