Nursing students' cybersecurity practices and perceptions and cybersecurity crime awareness: A cross-sectional study

Background: Cybersecurity has become a critical issue with the increasing use of digital platforms in healthcare. Understanding nursing students' cybersecurity practices, perceptions, and cybercrime awareness is essential for improving healthcare security and developing strategies to mitigate cyber threats. Aim: This study aimed to determine nursing students' cybersecurity practices, perceptions, and cybercrime awareness. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Setting: The study was conducted between April and June 2024 at a School of Nursing within a public university in Türkiye. Participants: A total of 434 undergraduate nursing students participated in the study. Methods: Data were collected face-to-face using a paper-and-pencil technique. The data collection tools used included the Personal Information Form, Cyber Security Scale (CSS), and Cyber Crime Awareness Scale (CAS). Data analysis utilised descriptive statistical methods, Pearson correlation analysis, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis. Results: The study revealed that 92.9 % of the students had not received any prior cybersecurity education. The mean CSS score was 87.50 ± 11.40, and the mean CAS score was 174.75 ± 36.75. A moderate positive correlation was found between the CSS and CAS scores (r = 0.576, p < 0.01). A positive relationship was found between computer usage skills and CSS scores (r = 0.190, p < 0.01), while a weak negative correlation was observed between internet usage duration and CSS scores (r = −0.095, p < 0.05). No relationships were identified between the CSS score and age, gender, or cybersecurity education. Linear regression analysis showed that higher computer usage skill levels were significantly associated with increased CSS scores (B = 1.129, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of integrating cybersecurity education into the nursing curriculum. Enhancing cybersecurity awareness and practices may help protect patient data and support safer healthcare by better preparing nursing students for cyber threats.