Identifying the Cybercrime Awareness of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students: Example of Kazakhstan

Cybercrime is the offense related to the ethical and legal violation of the computer and IT system, a threat to the security of information systems, and abuse of the Internet platform. It is committed through the Internet or computer systems. Its direct and indirect results disrupt the flow of technological infrastructure. Gaining the knowledge or skills related to the types and content of the cybercrimes is an essential prerequisite in the digital era. Thus, it is very significant to raise the awareness of the younger generation, who will shape the future of societies. In accordance with this, our study aims to identify the cybercrime awareness of undergraduate and postgraduate students in one of the higher education institutions of Kazakhstan. Totally 133 student participants attended the survey which included questions about the awareness of cybercrime concept and its scope. The findings of the study have revealed that cybercrime awareness of the participants is in moderate-level. Their knowledge and skills need to be improved further. Based upon this, it is very important to teach cybercrime in all levels of education and include it in the educational curriculum Higher cybercrime awareness level of young people will have a positive impact upon their interaction with information systems and tools. They will have better and safer use of Internet and information systems which is quite significant in today's post-modern and post-truth world. This article was prepared within the frame of AP08052656 Readiness assessment of Kazakhstani higher educational institutions for transformation within the context of Triple Helix project, funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Keyword: cybercrime; cybercrime awareness; higher education institution; IT (Information Technology) system; Kazakhstan