Securing the information systems of libraries and the influence of tech-skills of librarians and users

Abstract

Advances in Information and Communication Technology have significantly affected the way information is acquired, processed, stored, retrieved, communicated as well as secured. This has changed the way Librarians handle and secure information systems while users are expected to have some level of information and communication technology skills to access and utilize information systems to their full benefits. This study investigated the influence of tech-skills of librarians and users in securing the information systems of selected Nigerian University libraries, employing multiple regression as well as mean and standard deviation involving a survey of 48 librarians and 44,508 registered users of purposively selected university libraries in South-west Nigeria. The study established that most librarians have basic information technology skills but are poor at advanced skills, furthermore, library users also have basic IT knowledge and skills but most users are fairly skillful at advanced information technology.Basic information technology skills of librarians did not significantly influence information systems security, whereas advanced information technology skills does.On users basic information technology skills, there is significant inverse influence on information systems securitywhile advanced information technology skills of users had significant positive influence on information systems security.The result also revealed that there was significant joint influence of basic and advanced information technology skills of librarians and users on information systems security. The study concludes that it is pertinent that librarians have advance skills in order to ensure secure information systems. The paper recommends structured training and capacity building initiatives to re-tool and up skill librarians.

Appendices

Appendix 1

1.1 Questionnaire on influence of information technology skills of librarians on information systems security

Dear Respondent,

Thank you for your willingness to answer this survey, which focuses on librarians information technology skills as if affects the information systems security. The information you will provide is specifically for the purpose of research and, will be treated confidentially.

Kind Regards

1.2 Section A: Demographic data

• 1. University:___________________________________________________

• 2. Section /Division: ______________________________________

• 3. Gender: Male {} Female {}

• 4. Age(in years): 20–29{} 30–39{}40–49{} 50 and above {}

• 5. Religion: Christianity {} Islam {} African Traditional Religion {}

• 6. Marital Status Single () Married() Divorced() Separated()

• 7. Academic qualification. BSc/BA/LLB/MBBS () MSc/MA() PhD ()

• 8. Years of Work Experience: <5() 5–10 () 11–15() 16–20 () > 20 ()

1.3 Section B: Information technology skills

• 9. Please indicate how adequately you can performany of the following tasks for each of the identified areas of technology skills. Please tick as appropriate: (√). 1 Strongly Disagree; 2 Disagree; 3 Agree; 4 Strongly Agree

Items	SD	D	A	SA
I understand the basic functions of computer hardware components such as the CPU, monitor, keyboard, and file storage.
I can find and start a program.
I can navigate between programs.
I can save files to the hard drive or removable storage, such as a CD or flash drive.
I can exit or quit an application.
I can shut down a computer properly.
I can locate a website given the address.
I can download and save files, such as graphics, documents, or PDFs, from the Internet.
I can download and install software from the Internet.
I can install and update antivirus software.
I can search the electronic catalogue(OPAC) through the author, title and shelf searches.
I can use client/server database design tool.

1.4 Information technology skills scale

• 10. Please rate your information technology skills: 5 Very good; 4 Good; 3 Average; 2 Poor; 1 Very Poor

Skills set	Very good	Good	Average	Poor	Very poor
I am good in locating and starting a program in a computer.
I am good in saving files to the hard drive or removable storage, such as a CD or flash drive
I am good in navigating between computer programs
I am good in downloading and saving files, such as graphics, documents, or PDFs, from the Internet
I am good in downloading and installing software from the Internet
I am good in different Programming Languages (Visual Basic, Java, C#, C, C++, SQL, etc)	.
I am good in installing and updating antivirus software
I am good in networking (LAN Administration, Network Design, Network Security, and Network Management)
I am good in Searching the electronic catalogue(OPAC) through the author, title and shelf searches
I am good in using an open source codes and troubleshooting of codes
I am good in using Boolean operators in searching for information
I am good in computer hardware/software installation, maintenance and problem determination, deliver training.
I am good in using advanced programming and knowledge of hardware/software architecture to design and build software.

1.5 Section C: Threats of information system security

• 11. Please tick as appropriate: (√).1 Strongly Disagree; 2 Disagree; 3 Agree; 4 Strongly Agree

Item	SD	D	A	SA
I have witnessed a threat in our information system in the past.

• 12. I have witnessed these threats as regards to various information systems in my library. Please tick as appropriate: (√).1 strongly disagree; 2 disagree; 3 agree; 4 strongly agree

Threats	SD	D	A	SA
Database/OPAC system
Privilege abuse/ breach of confidentiality
Malware
Weak audit trail
SQL input injection
Denial of service
Network system
Packet sniffing
Stack and buffer overflow
External hacking
Theft of service
Disgruntled employees
Operating system
Impersonation
Password cracking
Breach of integrity
Malware (Virus and worms)
Hardware or software error
Physical security system
Neutralizing alerts
Intrusion
Theft
Vandalism
Fire and electrical interruption

Appendix II

1.1 Questionnaire on influence of information technology skills of users on information systems security

Dear Respondent,

Thank you for your willingness to answer this survey, which focuses on users information technology skills as if affects the information systems security. The information you will provide is specifically for the purpose of research and will be treated confidentially.

Kind Regards

1.2 Section A: Demographic data

• 1. School /Department:___________________________________________________

• 2. Programme: BSc/BA/LLB/MBBS () MSc/MA () Ph.D. ()

• 3. Mode of Study: Full time () Part time ()

• 4. Level of Study: (Year) 1() 2() 3 () 4 () 5 () 6 () PG ()

• 5. Age(in years):less than 20{} 20–29{} 30–39{}40–49{} 50 and above {}

• 6. Gender: Male {} Female {}

• 7. Religion: Christianity {} Islam {} African Traditional Religion {}

• 8. Marital Status Single () Married () Divorced() Separated ()

1.3 Section B:Information technology skills

• 9. Please indicate how adequately you can perform any of the following tasks for each of the identified areas of technology skills. Please tick as appropriate: (√). 1 Strongly Disagree; 2 Disagree; 3 Agree; 4 Strongly Agree

Items	SD	D	A	SA
I understand the basic function of computer hardware components such as the CPU, monitor, keyboard, and file storage.
I can find and start a program.
I can navigate between programs.
I can save files to the hard drive or removable storage, such as a CD or flash drive.
I can exit or quit an application.
I can shut down a computer properly.
I can locate a website given the address
I can download and save files, such as graphics, documents, or PDFs, from the Internet.
I can download and install software from the Internet.
I can install and update antivirus software.
I use Boolean operators(OR, AND, NOT)
I access and download files from On-line databases
I search the electronic catalogue(OPAC) through the author, title and shelf searches
I use search engines like Google Scholar, Yahoo, mamma, etc

1.4 Information technology skills scale for users

• 10. Please rate your information technology skills: 5 Very good; 4 Good; 3 Average; 2 Poor; 1 Very Poor

Skills set	Very good	Good	Average	Poor	Very poor
I am good in locating and starting a program in a computer.
I am good in saving files to the hard drive or removable storage, such as a CD or flash drive
I am good in downloading and saving files, such as graphics, documents, or PDFs, from the Internet
I am good in navigating between computer programs
I am good in different Programming Languages (Visual Basic, Java, C#, C, C++, SQL, etc)	.
I am good in developing a system or mobile applications
I am good in networking (LAN Administration, Network Design, Network Security, and Network Management)
I am good in Web Development (HTML/XML, FrontPage, Dreamweaver, authoring Web pages, maintaining Web sites, Web 2.0)
I am good in using an open source codes and troubleshooting of programs
I am good using keywords to do Internet searches.
I am good in conducting subject-related Web quests.
I am good using a desktop publishing program to create a simple media work.
I am good in using web authoring software to create a website.
I am good in structured system analysis and design principles
I am good in transferring text, graphic, audio, and video files using local and wide area networks.