DEVELOPMENT OF AN EASY-TO-USE CYBERSECURITY FRAMEWORK FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE IOT ADOPTION AMONG SMES IN NAIROBI COUNTY CBD, KENYA
Abstract
Although the Internet of Things (IoT) provides SMEs with opportunities to enhance efficiency and competitiveness, adoption in developing-country contexts remains constrained by cybersecurity threats, financial limitations, organizational readiness gaps, and external environmental challenges. This study examined determinants of IoT adoption among SMEs operating within Nairobi County’s Central Business District (CBD) and developed an easy-to-use cybersecurity framework to support safe and effective adoption. A descriptive survey design was used, with data collected from 393 SMEs through stratified sampling, producing 354 valid responses. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression modelling were employed to test the influence of cybersecurity and technological, financial, organizational, and external environmental factors on IoT adoption. The findings indicate that all determinants significantly influence IoT adoption, with organizational factors emerging as the strongest predictor, followed by cybersecurity and technological determinants, while financial and external environmental factors showed moderate but statistically significant effects. Based on these empirical results, the study developed a structured cybersecurity framework that translates statistically significant adoption determinants into a practical decision-support guide integrating organizational readiness, cybersecurity preparedness, financial feasibility, and external environmental support. The framework positions cybersecurity as a core enabler of adoption and provides SMEs with a pathway for secure, sustainable, and scalable IoT implementation. The study contributes context-specific empirical evidence and offers practical implications for SME managers, policymakers, and technology providers promoting secure IoT adoption in developing economies.
Keywords: cybersecurity framework; IoT adoption model; SMEs; digital innovation; regulatory environment; Kenya.
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