ENHANCING CYBERSECURITY PREPAREDNESS: EVALUATING SOCIAL ENGINEERING AWARENESS

Amid rising cybersecurity threats, social engineering poses a significant challenge by exploiting human vulnerabilities rather than technical systems.This study explores the awareness of social engineering risks among university communities, including students, faculty, and staff, to understand how well they are prepared to address these challenges.Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through interviews, focus groups, and document reviews, employing a triangulation approach for robust insights.The findings reveal varying levels of awareness across different university groups, with students showing higher vulnerability due to limited exposure to cybersecurity training.Although faculty and staff demonstrate greater awareness, they exhibit inconsistencies in their practices, underscoring the need for continuous awareness efforts.The study highlights the importance of community-specific awareness programs and integrating social engineering topics into university curricula.Recommendations for targeted campaigns and incorporating cybersecurity principles into academic and operational activities are discussed to enhance preparedness and security across university environments.