A Study of cyber security awareness level among E-banking customers in the selected districts of Sri Lanka

Abstract

In Sri Lanka, the use of E-banking is increasing rapidly after Covid-19; however, with the increased use of E-banking, cyber security threats are also increasing. Although banks take efforts to mitigate cyber security threats related to E-banking, the rate of security threats are increasing gradually around the world. Therefore, there is a need to analyze whether E-banking customers have adequate cyber security awareness to protect them from cyber threats and vulnerabilities. The purpose of this study is to discuss the level of cyber security awareness among E-banking customers in the selected districts of Sri Lanka while identifying the factors which affect the cyber security awareness of E-banking customers and find effective ways to raise awareness and literate the E-banking customers on cyber security. The research followed a questionnaire survey method, for quantitative data-gathering purposes. A survey of 390 responses was obtained from E-banking customers in selected districts (Colombo, Jaffna and Ampara) of Sri Lanka. The non-probability sampling approach was used to accomplish the purpose of the analysis. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for the complete analysis of data. The findings illustrate that only 45.6% of respondents have confidence in their cyber security awareness and the rest of the E-banking customers have a lack of confidence in their cyber security awareness level or complete distrust of their cyber security knowledge. To assess the factors impacting the cyber security awareness of E-banking customers, the Chi-squared test was used. The result showed that all independent variables such as Perceived risk of E-banking, IT Security literacy, Knowledge about E-banking features, Knowledge about impacts of E-banking fraud, Language Barriers and End-user Security Practices have an impact on cyber security awareness of E-banking customers. The researcher provides recommendations to the banks for educating E-banking customers on cyber security.