Cybersecurity challenges and a conceptualised maturity Typology in Ugandan SMEs: A qualitative analysis

Abstract

Cybersecurity is an urgent concern for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda, driven by the rapid digital transformation of businesses and increasing dependence on online platforms. This study explores Ugandan SMEs' cybersecurity challenges, highlighting prevalent cyber threats, risk exposure, and a cyber maturity typology to mitigate cybercrime effectively. Using a qualitative, descriptive research design based on secondary data and a literature review, the study examines how Digital, Blended, and Traditional Business Models influence SMEs' cybersecurity preparedness. A key contribution of this research is the development of a context-sensitive typology of SME cyber maturity, which categorises businesses as Traditional, Transitioning, Digitally Enabled, and Digitally Mature, aligned with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework but adapted to Uganda's unique environment. The study identifies ongoing issues such as data breaches, financial fraud, and weak digital infrastructure, as well as gaps in policy enforcement and the disconnect between cybersecurity regulations and SME operators' literacy levels, as key cybersecurity threats. Informal responses to cybercrime, including vigilante actions, are also highlighted. This study provides a maturity typology for SMEs that guides policymakers and business owners in improving cybersecurity practices in Ugandan SMEs. The study calls for multi-stakeholder collaboration, stronger regulatory enforcement, and scalable awareness programs to build a more resilient SME sector. Overall, this study contributes to the discourse on SME cybersecurity by proposing literacy-sensitive interventions tailored to the needs of Uganda and offering a foundation for future research into the effectiveness of Uganda's cybersecurity frameworks.

Keywords: {'name': 'Human Cybersecurity, Ugandan SMEs, NIST Framework, Digital Transformation, Business Models, Cyber Maturity'}

Authors & affiliations

Marilyn Sithole
UNISA

Swart Odette
University of South Africa

Freddy Munzhelele
UNISA

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