Securing digital library services and ensuring data privacy in Ukrainian public libraries
Yurii Horban, Olena Hryhorevska, Tetiana Novalska, Nataliia Kobyzhcha, Vladyslav Kasian, Olena Karakoz, Liudmyla Prokopenko, Viktoriia PylypivPurpose
This study aims to map the specific terrain of prevalent security threats to digital library services, dissect the critical privacy risks associated with patron information and culminate in the proposal of a resilient framework designed to address these multifaceted challenges.
Design/methodology/approach
To ground this analysis in empirical reality, a quantitative survey of 127 Ukrainian public library professionals was conducted. The study synthesizes established cybersecurity best practices, data protection principles and current information science literature to examine vulnerabilities ranging from technical infrastructure to human-factor risks.
Findings
The results reveal a critical governance gap: 70% of surveyed institutions operate without a formal information security policy, and 85% lack full-time information technology (IT) staff (with 60% having no dedicated IT resource at all). These findings replace previous assumptions with concrete data, highlighting the urgency of the issue. The investigation identifies a spectrum of common threats, including malware, phishing and denial-of-service attacks and highlights the profound privacy implications of the Diia.Digital Education initiative.
Originality/value
This research replaces previous assumptions with concrete data regarding the security maturity of libraries in a war zone, specifically analyzing the risks of the Diia ecosystem integration. It proposes a conceptual framework with actionable strategies tailored to empower Ukrainian public libraries to fortify their digital offerings and champion user data privacy.