An Organisational Learning Framework for Preventive Strategies to Mitigate Cybersecurity Challenges in Higher Education During Major Crises

The recent crisis has resulted in a tremendous increase in cybersecurity risks. Numerous research studies have revealed cybersecurity challenges amidst the major crisis, yet studies empirically exploring preventive strategies to mitigate these risks using a theoretical lens have been scarce in the literature. Against this backdrop, considering the Organisational Learning (OL) theory, the current research study investigates preventive strategies in HERS. This paper proposes an OL framework outlining preventive strategies to mitigate the emerging cybersecurity risks amidst the major crisis at three different levels: single-loop learning, double-loop learning, and triple-loop learning. The preventive strategies include leveraging diverse organisational resources, assessing security protocols, incorporating tech-solutions, establishing collaborations with security companies, revising existing practices, and launching new regulations. Future research can aim to refine this framework and explore its applicability across different contexts. This research offers valuable theoretical and practical contributions that can be applied beyond the context of the recent crisis.