Abstract
In the era of rapid digitalization, government agencies are increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats that compromise institutional integrity and public trust. This study examined the cyber hygiene practices of government employees in Ifugao, Philippines, focusing on their knowledge, practices, challenges, and support needs. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, quantitative data were collected from 150 respondents across provincial and national agencies using structured questionnaires, followed by qualitative interviews to deepen the interpretation of trends. Findings revealed a discrepancy between knowledge and practice: while employees demonstrated awareness of cyber hygiene measures such as password security, software updates, email safety, and data backup, their actual implementation was inconsistent. National agency employees generally exhibited higher compliance compared to provincial counterparts. Qualitative insights highlighted recurring barriers, including inadequate training, limited resources, and weak institutional support. Respondents expressed the need for structured awareness campaigns, regular training, and policy reinforcement to sustain cyber hygiene practices. The study concludes that although government employees possess fundamental knowledge of cybersecurity, gaps in behavior and organizational readiness persist, undermining resilience against cyber threats. The integration of both quantitative and qualitative results underscores the necessity of capacity-building, institutionalized support systems, and context-specific interventions. These findings contribute to the national discourse on grassroots-level cyber resilience and align with the objectives of the Philippine National Cybersecurity Plan 20232028 to strengthen secure and digitally competent governance.
Keywords
Cyber Hygiene, Cybersecurity, Knowledge-practice Gap, Government Employees, Cyber Resilience
DOI
View DOI - (https://doi.org/10.36713/epra24727)
How to Cite:
Sean Rey Zuñega Bongayon , CYBER HYGIENE PRACTICES OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES IN IFUGAO , Volume 11 , Issue 10, October 2025, EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR) , DOI: https://doi.org/10.36713/epra24727