CO-DESIGNING A CYBERSECURITY PRACTICES FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSERVED RURAL COMMUNITIES
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Date
2024-06-30
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Namibia University of Science and Technology
Abstract
The increasing ubiquity of digital technologies and the Internet has resulted in societies
becoming heavily dependent on them for communication, healthcare, education, business
operations, and social interaction. While digital transformation promises many benefits, it also
presents significant challenges, particularly in ensuring safe and secure online participation.
Cybersecurity, as a critical enabler of digital trust, is essential for inclusive and resilient digital
societies. However, in underserved rural communities, especially in the Global South,
cybersecurity practices remain largely unfamiliar due to limited telecommunications
infrastructure, socio-economic inequality, and low digital literacy. This study addresses this
gap by co-designing a cybersecurity practices framework with and for underserved rural
communities. Rooted in a multidisciplinary approach, the research integrates elements of
human-computer interaction (HCI), community engagement, and behavioural insights. A
qualitative methodology was employed, using co-design sessions, focus group discussions, and
interviews, to understand community-specific perceptions and practices of cybersecurity. The
study draws on indigenous philosophies of Ubuntu and Uushiindaism to contextualise security
as a communal, ethical, and relational construct. The framework was evaluated through a two-pronged process: expert focus groups (ex-post) and community-based co-design sessions (exante and ex-post). Evaluation centred on ecological utility—ensuring contextual relevance,
cultural fidelity, sustainability, comprehensibility, and local ownership. The study further maps
key actors and relationships influencing cybersecurity practices in rural contexts, including
interactions with national agencies, community policing units, local radio, and ministries
responsible for awareness and legislation. This research contributes to a more inclusive
understanding of cybersecurity by recognising the socio-cultural dynamics that shape digital
safety in underserved communities. It bridges the gap between globally dominant
cybersecurity paradigms and the lived realities of rural African users. The framework
empowers communities to engage confidently with technology, facilitates digital access to
essential services, promotes skills transfer through seasonal resident engagement, and
supports the preservation of indigenous languages. For policymakers, developers, and
educators, it offers actionable insights into designing secure, contextually appropriate
technologies for the margins while ensuring broader applicability across user groups.
Description
Keywords
Co-design, cybersecurity practices, underserved rural communities, community engagement, afro-centric
Citation
Nhunda, G.T. (2024]. Co-Designing A Cybersecurity Practices Framework for Underserved Rural Communities [Doctoral Thesis, Namibia University of Science and Technology].