The Descriptive Analysis of Breach Experience Among Smartphone Users in the Albanian Higher Education Sector

Abstract

This paper investigates breach experiences among smartphone users in the Albanian Higher Education System. The survey examined the cybersecurity knowledge and breach incidents among students. The study focused on assessing cybersecurity awareness and experiences of unauthorized access, data loss, and malware infections. Results indicated that students with formal education in information security demonstrated higher self-assessed knowledge levels and reported fewer security incidents compared to their counterparts without such education. However, challenges such as smartphone loss and data breaches remain prevalent, even among educated users. These findings highlight the necessity for comprehensive and continuously updated cybersecurity education within academic curricula. By enhancing students' understanding and skills in digital security, educational institutions can better prepare individuals to safeguard their personal information and contribute to a more secure digital environment. This research underscores the importance of evolving cybersecurity education to address emerging threats and behaviors, eventually fostering a safer digital landscape for all users.