Novi članak objavljen u Computers and Security

Cyber hygiene in both the public and private sector is increasingly recognized as a critical discipline, yet both domains face challenges in translating knowledge and awareness into consistent behavioural practices. Public and private sectors differ in how cyber hygiene awareness, knowledge, and behaviour are fostered, with public institutions often being constrained, while private organizations benefit from agility, accountability, and stronger investment in training. These contrasts motivated the need to investigate whether differences exist in cyber hygiene awareness, behaviour, and knowledge between the two sectors. The study draws on a survey of 767 participants from public and private sector organizations, employing a structured questionnaire and Chi-square statistical tests to assess differences in cyber hygiene awareness, behaviour, and knowledge across sectors. The results of this study, show that no significant difference in levels of cyber hygiene awareness, behaviour, and knowledge between public and private sector can be observed. By examining cyber hygiene across both sectors within a unified methodological framework, the study offers insights into universal challenges that organizations face in improving employee security behaviour, suggesting that interventions should prioritize training, organizational culture, and behaviour-focused strategies rather than sector-specific measures. This is the first such comprehensive study comparing cyber hygiene levels in both working sectors and the obtained findings have several security, organizational, technological, business, educational, and individual implications.