The Adequacy of Cybersecurity in Financial Institutions in Zimbabwe

Authors

  • Margaret Mashizha University of Zimbabwe, Department of Finance and Accounting, P.O. Box MP167, Harare
  • Pestalos Kanengoni University of Zimbabwe, Department of Finance and Accounting, P.O. Box MP167, Harare

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21632/irjbs.17.3.317-331

Keywords:

Cybersecurity, Cybercrime, Banking, Zimbabwe

Abstract

A well-protected cyber environment is virtually non-existent in the technical landscape of the 21st century, exposing financial institutions to risk. To preserve the well-being and trust of the public within financial systems, the financial sector needs a stable and robust cybersecurity system. This study sought to determine the causes and sources of cybercrime, the degree to which banks are aware of cybercrime, and to assess their understanding of cybersecurity and possible solutions to cyber threats. A sample of five commercial banks in Zimbabwe was surveyed and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed low awareness of cybersecurity, the absence of anti-virus protection, and a cybersecurity framework. Further, the study established that financial institutions are not providing adequate financial support and training relating to cybersecurity. The study recommends investment in cybersecurity, training, and awareness campaigns to cultivate a culture of cyber alertness.

Author Biography

Pestalos Kanengoni, University of Zimbabwe, Department of Finance and Accounting, P.O. Box MP167, Harare

University of Zimbabwe, Department of finance and accounting

References

Akinbowale, O. E., Klingelhöfer, H. E., & Zerihun, M. F. (2023). The assessment of the impact of cyber fraud in the South African banking industry. Journal of Financial Crime.

Mohsin, A. (2016). A manual for selecting sampling techniques in research. Munich Personal

RePEC Archive, 2016, 1-56.

BBC News, (2016). http//www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36072240.

Baur-Yazbeck, S., Frickenstein, J., & Medine, D. (2019). Cyber Security in the Financial

Sector Development. CGAP Background Documents, 5(2).

Bulawayo24: Italy offers cyber security training in Zimbabwe. 2021, April 18.

Camilo, M. (2017). Cybersecurity: Risks and management of risks for global banks and

financial institutions. Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions, 10(2), 196-200.

Catota, F., Morgan, M. & Sicker, D. (2018). Cybersecurity incident response capabilities in

the Ecuadorian financial sector. Journal of Cybersecurity, 4(1), tyy002.

Chakkaravarthy, S, Sangeetha, M., & Vaidehi, V. (2018). Futuristic cyber-attacks, International

Journal of Knowledge-based and Intelligent Engineering Systems. 22(3), 195-204.

Chingoriwo, T. (2022). Cybersecurity Challenges and Needs in The Context of Digital

Development in Zimbabwe. British Journal of Multidisciplinary and Advanced Studies, 3(2), 77-104.

Dongol, R. (2019). Robust Security Framework for Mitigating Cyber Threats in Banking

Payment System, Research Journal of Science, Technology and Management, 1.

Dzomira, S. (2014). Electronic fraud (cyber fraud) risk in the banking industry, Zimbabwe,

Risk Governance and Control: Financial Markets and Institutions, 4(2), 16-26.

Dzomira, S. (2015). Cyber-banking fraud risk mitigation conceptual model, Banks and Bank

Systems, 10 (2), 7-14.

Dzomira, S. (2017). Internet banking fraud alertness in the banking sector: South Africa,

Banks and Bank Systems, 12(1),143-151.

Hejase, H. Fayyad-Kazan H, & Hejase A, (2021). Cyber Security amid COVID-19.

Computer and Information Science. 14(2), 10-25.

Jongbo, O. C. (2014). The role of research design in a purpose-driven inquiry. Review of

Publication Administration and Management, 3(6), 87-94.

Kabanda, G., & Chingoriwo, T. (2021). A Cybersecurity Culture Framework For Grassroots

Levels In Zimbabwe. Https://Www.Researchgate.Net/Profile/Gabriel-Kabanda/publication/359651454_A_Cybersecurity_Culture_Framework_for_Grassroots_Levels_in_Zimbabwe/links/626ba5106a39cb1180e3c46e/A-Cybersecurity-Culture-Framework-for-Grassroots-Levels-in-Zimbabwe.pdf.

Kabanda, G. (2018). A Cybersecurity culture framework and its impact on Zimbabwean

organizations. Asian Journal of Management, Engineering & Computer Science, 3(4), 17-34.

Kshetri, N. (2019). Cybercrime and Cybersecurity in Africa. Journal of Global Information

Management Technology, 22(2), 77-81. DOI: 10.1080/1097198X.2019.1603527.

Kshetri, N. (2013). Cybercrime and cybersecurity in the global South. Basingstoke, U.K:

Palgrave Macmillan: Houndmils.

KPMG, (2020). Cybercrimes: A Financial Sector Review. Government and Public Sector.

Available at: https://www.kpmg.com/in/en/industry/publications/fs_cybercrime_booklet.pdf

[Accessed 18 March 2021].

Kurebwa, J., & Tanhara, J. R. (2020). Cybercrime as a Threat to Zimbabwe's Peace and

Security. In Cyber Warfare and Terrorism: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications, 1107-1122, IGI Global.

Magweregwede, J., (2014). An evaluation of the adequacy of cyber security within the

Zimbabwean banking sector. Risk governance & control: financial markets & Institutions, 4.

Maphosa, V. (2023). An overview of cybersecurity in Zimbabwe’s financial services

sector. F1000Research, 12, 1251.

Mwila, K. A. (2020). An Assessment of Cyber Attacks Preparedness Strategy for Public and

Private Sectors in Zambia (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Zambia). https://dspace.unza.zm/server/api/core/bitstreams/e7fecda3-7f89-4dbb-970b-9db11121d5fb/content.

Mugari, I. (2016). Cybercrime- The emerging threat to the financial services sector in

Zimbabwe, Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 7(3).

Mutanda, B., & Chrispen, M. (2023). Towards a Cyber Resilient Banking System:

Effectiveness of Cyber Fraud Risk Management Strategies Adopted by Commercial Banks in Zimbabwe. Studies And Scientific Research Economics Edition, (37).

Mutunhu, B., Dube, S., Ncube, N., & Sibanda, S. (2022). Cyber Security Awareness and

Education Framework for Zimbabwe Universities: A Case of National University of Science and Technology. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Nsukka, Nigeria, 5-7.

Nurse, J.R., (2019). Cybercrime and you: how criminals attack and the human factors that they

seek to exploit. In: Attrill-Smith A, Fullwood C, Keep M, et al. (eds) The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Ombati, E, (2017). Evaluation of cybersecurity strategies used in combating banking fraud in

the banking industry in Kenya. International Journal of Innovative Finance and Economics Research 5(4):12-22. Seahi Publications.

Rawass, J. (2019). Cybersecurity strategies to protect information systems in small financial

institutions. Walden University Scholar Works. Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=8462&context=dissertations.

Raghavana, A.R., Parthiban, L. (2014). The effect of cybercrime on a Bank’s finances,

International Journal of Current Research & Academic Review, 2(2), pp. 173 178.

Ramadani, S., Siahaan, A.P.U., Sutrisno, R.S., Amelia, W.R., Dalimunthe, H. and Munthe, R. (2018). Impact of cybercrime on technological and financial developments, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, 4(10), 341-344.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. (2015). Cybercrime in Zimbabwe and Globally, Harare: Reserve

Bank of Zimbabwe.

Sviatun, O., Goncharuk, O., Roman, C., Kuzmenko, O., & Kozych, I. V. (2021). Combating

cybercrime: economic and legal aspects. WSEAS Transactions on Business and Economics, 18, 751-762.

Tam, LE & Chau, Nguyen & Mai, Pham & Phuong, Ngo & Tran, Vu. (2020). Cybercrimes in

the banking sector: Case study of Vietnam. International Journal of Social Science

and Economics Invention. 6. 10.23958/ijssei/vol06-i05/207.

Tariq, N. (2018). Impact of cyberattacks on financial institutions. Journal of Internet Banking

and Commerce, 23(2), 1-11.

Tiwari, M., (2017). Intrusion detection system. International Journal of Technical Research

and Applications, 5, 38-44.

Tiwari, S., Bhalla, A. and Rawat, R. (2016). Cybercrime and security, International of

Advanced Research on Computer Science and Software Engineering, 6 (4), 46-52.

The United Nations, Cyberspace and International Peace and Security, (2017) Available at:

https://www.unidir.org/files/publications/pdfs/the-united-nations-cyberspace-and-international-peace-and-security-en-691.pdf /[Accessed 12 January 2021].

The Herald, (2017). Man hacks into OK Zim system, and steals $70k. [Online] Available at:

http://www.herald.co.zw/man-hacks-into-ok-zim-system-steals-70k/ [Accessed 12 June 2020].

Ekong, E. U. (2023). Impact of Cyber-Security on Financial Fraud in Commercial Banks in

Nigeria: A Case Study of Zenith Banks in Abuja (Doctoral dissertation, AUST).https://repository.aust.edu.ng/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/5117/Ekong%20Eyo%20Unwana.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y.

Weforum: Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2022.

https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Cybersecurity_Outlook_2022.pdf.

Wang, V. Nnaji, H and Jung, J., (2020). Internet banking in Nigeria: Cybersecurity breaches,

practices and capability. International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice

Downloads

Submitted

11/08/2024

Accepted

12/11/2024

Published

12/16/2024

How to Cite

Mashizha, M., & Kanengoni, P. (2024). The Adequacy of Cybersecurity in Financial Institutions in Zimbabwe. International Research Journal of Business Studies, 17(3), 317-331. https://doi.org/10.21632/irjbs.17.3.317-331

How to Cite

Mashizha, M., & Kanengoni, P. (2024). The Adequacy of Cybersecurity in Financial Institutions in Zimbabwe. International Research Journal of Business Studies, 17(3), 317-331. https://doi.org/10.21632/irjbs.17.3.317-331