The Relationship between Human-centric Cybersecurity and Cybercrime

Abstract

 The aim of this study is to propose a model of human-centric cybersecurity and its relationship to
curbing cybercrime in Zimbabwean commercial banks. The effects of human-centric cyber-crimes (e.g.
email phishing, identity theft, hacking and malware) are increasing irrespective of the use of cyber security
techniques (such as firewalls, antispyware and antivirus). In order to prevent security breaches, the role of
the human element should always be emphasized. The study proposed a model of human-centric cyber
security solutions in Zimbabwean commercial banks to counter identity theft. Item frameworks were modified
to illustrate how human cyber security measures would effectively curb cybercrime from the theory of
protection motivation and the theory of routine activity. Solutions to cybercrime centered on human beings
include raising aware- ness about cyber security, top management support and cyber security policies.
Quantitative data collected through survey questionnaires which were distributed to 118 key informants
across thirteen commercial banks in Zimbabwe. Gathered data were analyzed using SPSS 23 and Smart PLS
Version 3.2.8 for partial list structural equation modeling. The findings were interesting, the human solutions
such as raising awareness, top management support, and cybersecurity policy indicated a negative and
moderate effect on identity theft, R2 value was of 0.64. The standardized root mean square residual value for
the human structural model was 0.08 indicating a good model fit. The findings show that the human factor
is key for the successful cybersecurity of any banking institution.