Security Perception of a Portable PC User (The Difference Between Medical Doctors and Engineers): A Pilot Study

Aim The aim of this pilot study was to compare knowledge on securitythreats and habits in dealing with computer security issues.Methods Two groups of researchers and teaching staff, portablepersonal computer (PC) users, coming from different environmentswere included in the study: School of Medicine (n=19) andSchool of Electrical Engineering (n=20). Participants were askedto complete an anonymous questionnaire consisting of 21 questionsabout basic demographic data, years of using PC, years ofowning/using portable PC, position at the School, habits in dealingwith security issues and knowledge about potential securitythreats.Results Both groups demonstrated similar pattern of behaviourin dealing with security issues. Participants from the School ofElectrical Engineering showed a higher level of knowledge inthree questions about security experts’ terminology (Fisher’s exactP<0.05 for all questions). Results also showed a very low frequencyof making security backups.Conclusion The results of this pilot study indicate that workingenvironment and background do not have a great impact on behaviourof highly educated portable PC users in connection withsecurity issues. However, it seems that information about the importanceof security backups should be presented more often toeach PC user.