Cybersecurity capacity building in the age of digital libraries: African librarians' perspectives
| dc.contributor.author | Iwundu, Nkiruka | |
| dc.contributor.author | Suleman, Hussein | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-10-27T12:52:48Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-10-27T12:52:48Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026 | |
| dc.description.abstract | In this era of digital transformation, libraries have evolved from traditional physical repositories of knowledge into dynamic online learning commons. This shift depends on complex, interconnected computer networks that create vulnerabilities and opportunities for cyberattacks. Consequently, libraries have seen a rise in sophisticated cyber threats, raising concerns about data protection, confidentiality, and the integrity of digital content. Strengthening librarians’ cybersecurity capacity is essential, as human factors are key to preventing breaches and supporting resilient digital services. This study adapted the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) framework to assess African librarians' cybersecurity proficiency and identify existing skill gaps. The study adopted an exploratory research design. 74 librarians from Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Kenya participated in the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire aligned with the NICE framework and a semi-structured interview. The findings revealed limited awareness and a significant skills gap among librarians. The study also identified five emerging themes: protection of library assets; patrons’ data and trust; awareness and skills gaps; cybersecurity education and capacity building; institutional and resource barriers; and an indifferent attitude among staff toward cybersecurity. This article is significant because it offers new insights into improving capacity and strengthening information security. It contributes to knowledge by adapting the knowledge manager and database administrator roles in the NICE framework to assess librarians’ cybersecurity skills for digital library services; empirically examining the cybersecurity skill proficiency of African librarians; and identifying critical skill gaps and priority areas for targeted capacity-building and upskilling interventions. | |
| dc.identifier.apacitation | Iwundu, N., & Suleman, H. (2026). Cybersecurity capacity building in the age of digital libraries: African librarians' perspectives. <i>Digital Library Perspective</i>, http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43895 | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.chicagocitation | Iwundu, Nkiruka, and Hussein Suleman "Cybersecurity capacity building in the age of digital libraries: African librarians' perspectives." <i>Digital Library Perspective</i> (2026) http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43895 | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.citation | Iwundu, N. & Suleman, H. 2026. Cybersecurity capacity building in the age of digital libraries: African librarians' perspectives. <i>Digital Library Perspective.</i> http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43895 | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.ris | TY - Journal Article AU - Iwundu, Nkiruka AU - Suleman, Hussein AB - In this era of digital transformation, libraries have evolved from traditional physical repositories of knowledge into dynamic online learning commons. This shift depends on complex, interconnected computer networks that create vulnerabilities and opportunities for cyberattacks. Consequently, libraries have seen a rise in sophisticated cyber threats, raising concerns about data protection, confidentiality, and the integrity of digital content. Strengthening librarians’ cybersecurity capacity is essential, as human factors are key to preventing breaches and supporting resilient digital services. This study adapted the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) framework to assess African librarians' cybersecurity proficiency and identify existing skill gaps. The study adopted an exploratory research design. 74 librarians from Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Kenya participated in the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire aligned with the NICE framework and a semi-structured interview. The findings revealed limited awareness and a significant skills gap among librarians. The study also identified five emerging themes: protection of library assets; patrons’ data and trust; awareness and skills gaps; cybersecurity education and capacity building; institutional and resource barriers; and an indifferent attitude among staff toward cybersecurity. This article is significant because it offers new insights into improving capacity and strengthening information security. It contributes to knowledge by adapting the knowledge manager and database administrator roles in the NICE framework to assess librarians’ cybersecurity skills for digital library services; empirically examining the cybersecurity skill proficiency of African librarians; and identifying critical skill gaps and priority areas for targeted capacity-building and upskilling interventions. DA - 2026 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town J1 - Digital Library Perspective KW - Cybersecurity KW - Skills KW - Capacity building KW - Africa KW - Digital libraries KW - Data protection LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2026 T1 - Cybersecurity capacity building in the age of digital libraries: African librarians' perspectives TI - Cybersecurity capacity building in the age of digital libraries: African librarians' perspectives UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43895 ER - | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.uri | 10.1108/DLP-04-2026-0152 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43895 | |
| dc.identifier.vancouvercitation | Iwundu N, Suleman H. Cybersecurity capacity building in the age of digital libraries: African librarians' perspectives. Digital Library Perspective. 2026; http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43895. | en_ZA |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher.department | Department of Computer Science | |
| dc.publisher.faculty | Faculty of Science | |
| dc.rights.uri | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ | |
| dc.source | Digital Library Perspective | |
| dc.subject | Cybersecurity | |
| dc.subject | Skills | |
| dc.subject | Capacity building | |
| dc.subject | Africa | |
| dc.subject | Digital libraries | |
| dc.subject | Data protection | |
| dc.title | Cybersecurity capacity building in the age of digital libraries: African librarians' perspectives | |
| dc.type | Journal Article |