CYBER SECURITY ISSUES CONFRONTING SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION SYSTEM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

Digital information management systems have impacted critical technical infrastructure 
development around the world but cyber security management issues are constantly at the fore, 
therefore, the need to strengthen and protect these systems against the ever-evolving cyber threats 
is pertinent. The study therefore, analyzed cyber security issues confronting administrators in 
management information systems in the secondary schools in Anambra State. The study adopted 
descriptive survey design and two research questions guided the study. The population of the study 
is made 265 principals of the public secondary school in Anambra state. A researcher developed 
instrument titled ‘Cyber security Issues confronting secondary school administrators in 
management information system questionnaire” (CSICSSAMISQ) was use to collect data. The 
questionnaire containing 20 items, structured on 4 point liket structure of Strongly Agreed (SA), 
Agreed (A), Strongly Disagreed (SD), and Disagreed (D). It was validated by three experts who 
are lecturers in the department of Educational Management and policy and Measurement and 
Evaluation all in the Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Cronbach-alpha 
was used to test reliability of the instrument which yielded a coefficient value of 0.85. Data were 
analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study showed that there are 
constant cyber threats on school information systems and cyber security measures have been 
applied minimally. Therefore, the study concluded that cyber-attack and threats are the bane of 
information technology and to mitigate this challenge, Administrators of school organizations have 
to be ahead of these attackers in making sure that all kinds of vulnerabilities and gaps are constantly 
closed in by applying multiple security measures. It was recommended that; the Administrators 
should organize periodic capacity building seminars and workshops for their Administrative Staff 
on digital information management and cyber security. Also Government should be proactive in 
prosecuting internet fraudsters. If all these are done, they will ensure a sustainable school 
information management system.