Southern African Journal of Security

Emerging Technologies and Security of Library Resources at Bayelsa State Library Board

2023-11-21T09:09:08+00:00

This study investigates the application of emerging technologies in the security of library resources at Bayelsa State Library Board (BYSLB). The loss of rare intellectually stimulating and information-rich resources due to ineffective security methods at the Bayelsa State Library Board resulted in this study. Two objectives and two research questions guided the study, and two research hypotheses were formulated and tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The study was carried out using correlation research designs, with a population of 24, comprising professionals, paraprofessionals, and supporting staff. A census sampling technique was used to select all the respondents. A questionnaire was used for data collection and a total of 24 copies were administered, but only 21 copies were found valid for analysis. The data was analysed using the mean score and standard deviation for research questions and the Pearson product-moment correlation to test the hypotheses. The findings reveal that the application of emerging technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID), barcode, and closed-circuit television (CCTV) were not fully adapted. There is a significant relationship between RFID/barcode and CCTV technologies and the security of library resources at BYSLB. The study concluded that librarians should strive to adopt technological applications for securing public library resources. They should organise orientation programmes to educate users on the importance of safeguarding library resources. The study recommended, among others, funding from the government and private sectors, training of library staff as security specialists who will conduct risk assessment, and disaster preparedness towards library resources.

Security Measures in Meeting Information Needs and Seeking Behaviour of Agricultural Science Students in Nigerian Universities

2023-10-20T08:49:22+00:00

Security measures play a significant role in the accessibility and use of agricultural information resources among undergraduate science students in Nigeria. This results in overcoming obstacles to valuable information required by agricultural students to cultivate their products that would replicate food substances in the Nigerian economy. Nonetheless, unauthorised individuals have pervaded access to information that is meant for agricultural science students due to a lack of security of such information. There are unlimited assets and products to which agricultural students have access; hence, this paper investigates security measures in meeting information needs and seeking behaviour of agricultural science students in Nigerian universities. The paper employed a qualitative research method based on the explanatory research method. In so doing, the use of a systematic literature review was adopted to examine the information needs and seeking behaviour of agricultural students in Nigeria and again to find out the security measures put in place to ensure valuable information and preventive approaches to unauthorised individuals are sustained. Using a purposive sampling technique, the authors collected articles published between 2015 and 2023 on databases of Emerald and ResearchGate for the review. Findings reveal that agricultural science students in Nigerian universities have a diverse range of preferred information sources. Findings further reveal that students engage in information-seeking behaviour for various purposes, such as course assignments, practical experiments, exam preparation, general reading, discussions, seminars, workshops, conferences, and research projects. Challenges in information-seeking behaviour include inadequate access to current information materials and uncooperative attitudes of librarians and lecturers. The study concludes that security measures are crucial in shaping how students access information. The study recommends that universities ensure a balance between print and electronic resources to cater to students’ varied preferences to accommodate comprehensive support for their research and studies in the university environment. This would enhance sustainable security measures and accessibility to varied information resources for the students.

Technological Methods and Security of Information Resources in Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan Automated Library, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education

2023-11-21T09:13:21+00:00

This study investigates technological methods and security of information resources at Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan Automated Library, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. The study adopted a descriptive research survey design. The population of the study was 32 library staff comprising professionals and para-professionals in Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan Automated Library, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. A census sampling technique was used to select the entire population. The questionnaire was used for data collection and 27 copies of the questionnaires were found valid for data analysis. The study was analysed using simple percentages and mean and standard deviation were applied. The study revealed that the information resources available in Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan Automated Library comprise of books, e-books, journals, e-journals, databases, encyclopaedias, the bible, and fiction. The security threats to information resources were mutilation, theft, microbes, humidity, and unauthorised access. The technological methods adopted to secure library resources were computers and burglary protection. Several challenges were found to militate against the security of information resources in the library such as lack of funds to procure security equipment, poor adoption of technological methods, lack of state-of-the-art infrastructure, and nonchalant attitudes of staff towards security measures to protect information resources. The study recommended the adoption of technologies such as CCTV, biometrics, and electronic doors in the security of library resources and training staff on their usage.

Urban Security Governance in Residential Neighbourhoods: A Researcher’s Perspective

2023-05-11T20:03:41+00:00

This article reviews studies on urban security governance in residential neighbourhoods with a view to improving the integrated security system in the residential neighbourhoods of cities in Africa and beyond. One of the social problems facing the globe, most especially in African nations, is insecurity, which varies from kidnapping to banditry, armed robbery, killings, bombing attacks, killer herdsmen, insurgency, militancy, Boko Haram and Jihadism. Urban security governance is emerging as an alternative framework to address the inability of state institutions to provide adequate security in towns and cities. Concepts of urban security governance and the broken windows theory, securitization, collective security, security governance, and citizens’ participation provided the framework for the current study, while the systemic review of the literature was adopted as the methodology. Secondary desk data on urban security governance in residential neighbourhoods was used as the basis for explanation. The study revealed that the inability of the state to provide adequate protection made individuals, communities and businesses engage in different urban security approaches. Issues of weakness in urban security governance have resulted in the emergence of insecurity in residential neighbourhood areas. However, institutionalising urban security governance through the adoption of an integrated security system approach in residential neighbourhoods is highly recommended.

Forensics as a Tool in Solving Corruption: A Related Cases in Khomas Region, Namibia

2023-04-13T04:23:05+00:00

Corruption poses a significant threat to nations' economic and social fabric, undermining governance, eroding public trust, and hindering development. This study examines the role of forensic techniques in combating corruption, with a specific focus on related cases in the Khomas Region, Namibia. The objective is to understand how forensic tools can effectively unravel complex corruption schemes and contribute to prosecuting and preventing corrupt practices. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study explores the theoretical underpinnings of forensic investigations and their relevance in addressing corruption. Subsequently, a mixed-methods research approach is employed, combining quantitative analysis of corruption-related data and qualitative examination of forensic case studies in the region.

Findings reveal that forensic techniques, including forensic accounting, digital forensics, and forensic auditing, have played a crucial role in uncovering financial irregularities and identifying patterns of corruption in the Khomas Region. These techniques have provided concrete evidence that strengthens legal proceedings and facilitates the conviction of corrupt individuals, thereby promoting accountability and deterring future corrupt activities. Moreover, the research identifies prevalent corruption patterns in the region, such as bribery, embezzlement, and bid-rigging, offering valuable insights for policymakers and law enforcement agencies to tailor targeted anti-corruption measures. The study further underscores the importance of strengthening forensic capacities within the region's law enforcement and financial institutions to enhance investigative effectiveness. Public awareness campaigns are also highlighted as a key aspect of fostering a culture of integrity and transparency. The study emphasises the role of informed citizens in reporting corruption and supporting forensic investigations to combat the menace effectively. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge on the fight against corruption, particularly in the Khomas Region, Namibia context. It offers practical recommendations for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders to leverage forensic techniques as powerful tools in the battle against corruption. Ultimately, the study aspires to promote a more transparent, accountable, and corruption-resistant society in the region.

Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Occupational Roles of Private Security Officers in South Africa

2022-05-16T08:38:46+00:00

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) a global pandemic on 11 March 2020. The rapid spread of the virus disrupted many aspects of society including the role of private security officers (PSOs). In South Africa, when the government declared a National State of Disaster to prevent the spread of the virus, the private security industry was considered an “essential service”. As the country’s lockdown measures came into effect, businesses sought the services of private security companies to ensure the safety and security of their clients and premises. Consequently, PSOs were caught off guard due to their inadequate preparedness and lack of proper training. The purpose of the current study was to examine how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted the occupational environment of PSOs in South Africa. There was a need for the study because the traditional roles of PSOs were disrupted by government lockdown regulations and there was a shortage of current and easily accessible information. Hence, the study applied the interpretive content analysis of literature harvested from different databases. The findings revealed that PSOs were obliged to take on additional roles and responsibilities for which they were not prepared, such as applying social distancing at business premises; enforcing restrictions on people not wearing masks; and screening people’s temperatures. Further, the findings revealed that PSOs had the right to refuse entry to people who did not abide by the rules, but they had less latitude to enforce the rules arbitrarily. The study recommends that the training requirements of PSOs be redesigned and modernised to meet the skills gap suited for a new generation of PSOs.

Africa - An Unintended Collateral Victim of Russia – Ukraine War

2023-05-29T22:49:06+00:00

This paper examines security problems brought about by the Russian government in creating a war against Ukraine. The study emphasises Africa and other nations (which are either military aid donors or harbour companies and firms that produce and export military equipment) involved in the war for different reasons. Different scales at some point focus solely on Ukraine, with military aid could help donor countries involved in the war becoming limited, consequently leaving the Africa-a continent that relies heavily on aid faced with a serious security conundrum, especially in the wake of increasing terrorism-related activities not only in the continent but globally. The paper used secondary sources as the basis to conduct this research that as the war wages on, Africa becomes an unintended collateral victim of the Russia-Ukraine protracted war. The finding of the study is based on content analysis which shows that the war in Ukraine risks distracting or ‘taking away’ Russia and the West’s attention from Africa, resulting in the continent being vulnerable to combatting terrorism. Before divulging its main theme, which revolves around security challenges linked to the war. The paper used realism as its theoretical framework to discuss the protracted war between Russia and Ukraine, where issues such as why Russia is intransigently continuing with the war and why the West is interested in Ukraine. Realism is used as a basis for analysing the origin of the Russia-Ukraine war and not necessarily the impact of the war on Africa. It was established that realism is not used to justify Russia’s war in Ukraine but suggests that Russia’s behaviour is synonymous with the superpower.

Librarians’ Perceptions of the Security of Library Resources in University Libraries in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

2022-11-01T09:07:45+00:00

The security of information resources is crucial in university libraries due to their usefulness in supporting and meeting students’, lecturers’ and researchers’ information needs. These individuals all rely on the resources in carrying out their studies. The rationale for securing library resources in the university library is to ensure that easy access, retrieval, and longevity of the resources are not denied to users. Therefore, this article reports on a study that investigated librarians’ perceptions of the security of library resources in university libraries in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted for the study. Four research questions and one research hypothesis guided the study. The population of the study consisted of 72 librarians from the four sampled university libraries in Bayelsa State. Data were collected from the same librarians. The findings revealed that librarians’ perceptions of the security of library resources in university libraries in Bayelsa State varied in the contexts that showed positive attributes. The study further revealed that book mutilation, book miss-shelving, non-return of borrowed books, impersonation, and book theft as the major security challenges encountered by university librarians. Therefore, the study concluded that university librarians should advocate for the use of electronic security systems as this will to a large extent minimise the security threats experienced in university libraries. The study recommends, among other factors, organising training for library staff on security breaches at regular intervals.

Transito: The Truth Behind the Big-Money Robberies by Hennie Lochner and Piet van Staden

2021-12-14T09:33:45+00:00

Unisa Press, University of South Africa, 2020.xv+pp152

ISBN: 978-1-77615-0632