Cybersecurity knowledge, perspectives, and challenges: insights from a diverse focus group

With the significant increase in demand for Internet-based resources, the number of threats to users’ security and privacy has also increased. Users face online money fraud, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and online identity theft. Cybersecurity researchers are continually uncovering new threats and their mitigation strategies. In this paper, we present a qualitative study to identify technological challenges, their perspectives, and factors that act as barriers to cyberspace adoption by users of different age groups in India. Five focus group discussion sessions were held with children (senior secondary school students), graduates (university students), postgraduates (university students), senior citizens (older adults), and social activists (mixed-age group). Cybersecurity knowledge, awareness, and perceptions among diverse groups were discussed using a semi-structured question guide. Discussions were documented through a detailed manual note-taking process. Then, the notes were coded and analyzed thematically using an inductive coding process. Some key themes that emerged included diverse internet use, security and privacy concerns, dominance of social media, fear and avoidance, technology illiteracy, challenges with online transactions, and so on. After analyzing, it is clear that participants are not very aware of the cybersecurity and privacy consequences of their activities in cyberspace. Future initiators should focus on integrating cybersecurity education, awareness programs, and promoting a cyber-safe culture among diverse age groups of users. Thus, this research has implications for cybersecurity researchers, educationists, and policymakers.