BYODelving: Unmasking Security Risks in Higher Education Learning Management Systems - A South African Perspective

The integration of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies within South African higher education has undoubtedly revolutionized the learning landscape, although accompanied by considerable security intricacies. This research scrutinizes the security vulnerabilities inherent in BYOD implementation in South African universities, employing the analytical lenses of the Technology Acceptance Model and the People Policy Technology model. Risks identified span across various dimensions, including issues within the People, Policy, and Technology realms, such as device theft, policy ambiguities, lax controls, vulnerable network connections, malware incursions, and data breaches. In response to these challenges, the study advocates for the development of a cybersecurity framework tailored to the unique needs of South African educational institutions. The insights gleaned from this study are poised to enrich global dialogues concerning BYOD security paradigms, equipping decision-makers, IT specialists, and educators with the requisite knowledge to fortify the integrity of academic and personal data within Learning Management Systems.