Measuring Digital Data Security Awareness: The Case of Higher Education Institution

Digital data security is of critical importance for individuals and institutions today and encompasses a range of practices and policies aimed at ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and accessibility of digital data. This study aimed to examine the awareness levels of students as well as academic and administrative staff at Ardahan University regarding digital data security and the factors affecting this awareness. A digital data security awareness scale was applied to 324 participants within the scope of the study. The digital data security awareness scale measures the participants' knowledge and behaviors on issues such as password security, safe internet use, data backup and software updates. The data obtained show that the participants generally have a medium to high level of awareness regarding digital data security. It is thought that the results of the research are important in terms of showing that students, as well as academic and administrative staff working at the university, are aware of the protection and security of digital data. In addition, the study reveals the current status of digital data security awareness throughout the university by covering both academic and administrative staff as well as students. This broad scope is intended to help universities better understand the needs of different groups when creating their digital data security policies.