Fostering Cyber Resilience in SMEs: Examining the Mediating Role of Employee Cybersecurity Attitude in the Impact of the Cybersecurity Risk Management Programme and Cybersecurity Budget

Chong, Ru Qi (2024) Fostering Cyber Resilience in SMEs: Examining the Mediating Role of Employee Cybersecurity Attitude in the Impact of the Cybersecurity Risk Management Programme and Cybersecurity Budget. Masters thesis, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

In an increasingly digitised world, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) face escalating cybersecurity threats, necessitating robust strategies to enhance cyber resilience. This research investigates the interplay between cybersecurity risk management programmes, budget allocation for cybersecurity, and the attitudes of employees towards cybersecurity within SMEs. A total of 250 data were collected who working in Malaysian SME for the purpose of answering the three research objectives. The collected data was further analysed using statistical tools of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Partial Least Squares Path Modelling Method with Smart-PLS. The findings underscore the role of cybersecurity risk management programmes and budget allocation in fortifying SMEs against cyber threats. Moreover, the research reveals how employee attitudes towards cybersecurity mediate the effectiveness of these initiatives. Positive employee attitudes towards cybersecurity significantly enhance the effectiveness of risk management efforts and budget allocation, thereby bolstering overall cyber resilience within SMEs. By shedding light on these dynamics, the research underscores the importance of integrating employee attitudes into cybersecurity strategy formulation and implementation. The insights gleaned from this research can inform policymakers, business leaders, and cybersecurity professionals in developing tailored interventions to mitigate cyber risks and enhance resilience in the SME sector