1. References
Clayton, E.R. (2008). Information Management Security System.
Advanced Management Journal, Vol.17(14): p. 58-63.
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for
business students. Pearson Education: London.
Background & Rationale
Security is one of the major concerns of digital banking.
Digital banking dominates in the banking industry (Clayton,
2008, p. 59). While looking at the benefits of digital
banking in the current technological landscape it is also
important to pay attention to information security threats
that can impact on the use of digital banking.
Research Question
What are the information security threats
that impact on digital banking within a
financial institution?
Methodology & Design
The study used a qualitative case study approach. The
sample included employees and clients of a financial
institution. Different methods were used for data collection
from both groups including semi-structured interviews for
employees in different departments at a financial institution
and questionnaires for clients of the same financial
institution. This was done so that the researchers could
collect representative and reliable data (Saunders, Lewis
and Thornhill, 2009, p. 123).
The findings are based on data collected from
both groups, employees and clients. This was
done with the purpose of determining the
gap on the knowledge of information security
threats between clients and employees.
Phishing, profile cloning, virus/spam, and
spyware were identified as potential threats
in digital banking by clients and employees.
The findings indicate how the threats in Figure
1 are rated by employees and clients of a
financial institution. Employees and clients
rated phishing as a security threat to be
aware of most, whereas spyware is rated as a
least security threat to be aware of by clients
and employees.
Research Findings
Information security
threats in digital banking
Clients & employees of a financial institution
Ratings
Phishing
Profile Cloning
Virus/Spam
Spyware
Threats
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Employees
Clients
Figure 1
Mr Mmako, Ms Mathebula & Prof Tanya du Plessis
Department of Information & Knowledge Management | Contact: 0792635077/201207327@student.uj.ac.za
Conclusion
There are four main digital banking security threats
identified by both clients and employees of a financial
institution. The financial institution is facing a challenge of
being able to deal with the digital banking security threats.
A financial institution should always upgrade its systems to
address new security threats.