IT Infrastructure and Employee Cybersecurity Awareness on Mitigation of Information Security Breaches in Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

The research concentrated on how much IT infrastructure and cybersecurity awareness in the workforce can help decrease information security breaches in the Ugandan public higher education institutions. A cross-sectional design approach was adopted, with the data being collected between January and April 2025, with a sample size of 356 participants consisting of academic personnel, administrators, and ICT personnel. Analysis was done using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS SEM). The data indicated a clear and robust impact of employee cybersecurity awareness on the minimization of information security breaches (β =0.644, p < 0.000). IT infrastructure had a significant positive impact (although less than other minor effects), too (β = 0.152, p < 0.001). These two factors explained 54.2% of the difference in the mitigation of information security breaches (R2 = 0.542). The findings highlighted the need to focus on strategies for improving employee awareness of cybersecurity and investment in a well-developed IT infrastructure. Enhancing both human and technical aspects of security could also go a long way in improving the capacity of universities to avert, identify, and control computer threats. The evidence generated by this study informs policymakers and university managers in developing a comprehensive cybersecurity policy that balances the protection of both infrastructure and individuals.

Keywords: Information Security Breaches, Cyber Security, IT Infrastructure, Higher Education Institutions