Abstract
This study examined the relationship between selected cyber-security practices and data privacy protection among library staff in public universities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Three research questions and corresponding hypotheses guided the study. A correlational research design was adopted. The population comprised all 39 professional and para-professional library staff from three public universities: Rivers State University (11), University of Port Harcourt (18), and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (10). A census approach was used because of the manageable population size. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire titled the Cyber-Security Strategies and Data-Privacy Practices Questionnaire (CSSDPPQ). The instrument yielded an overall Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of 0.79. Data were analysed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistic at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed moderate positive and statistically significant relationships between password management (r = 0.653, p < 0.05), data encryption (r = 0.634, p < 0.05), regular software updates (r = 0.670, p < 0.05) and effective data privacy protection practices among the library staff. All three null hypotheses were rejected. The study concludes that stronger adherence to password management protocols, data encryption, and regular software updates is associated with higher levels of self-reported data privacy protection. It is recommended that university libraries enforce mandatory password management policies, invest in robust encryption technologies, and institutionalize regular automated software updates across library systems. The correlational nature of the design and the modest sample size constitute important limitations that should be considered when interpreting the results.
Keywords: Cyber-security practices, data privacy protection, password management, data encryption, software updates, university libraries, library staff, Rivers State
Publication Date: 2026-10-31