Engaging in cybersecurity proactive behavior: awareness in COVID-19 age

Abstract

PurposeDue to the lack of awareness and poor cybersecurity practices that pose cyber threats during COVID-19 time, this research aims to explore user's attitude toward engaging in proactive cybersecurity awareness behavior.Design/methodology/approachBased on the theory of planned behavior, the relationship between multiple factors and their influence on the attitude is explored. A survey-based approach was utilized to collect responses and a model was proposed and tested on 229 respondents from the University of Petra-Jordan.FindingsThe attitude was significantly influenced by peers' influence and the individuals' cybersecurity threats awareness, especially threats that emerged during the COVID-19 time.Research limitations/implicationsThe research benefits decision makers in educational institutions who intend to develop cybersecurity awareness programs and helps them to assess user cybersecurity background weaknesses.Originality/valueThe research is the first to explore users' knowledge dimensions including organizational, information systems and social media as well as peers' influence on cybersecurity awareness. Also, it sheds light on the users’ perception of major cybersecurity hazards in COVID-19 time.

The Role of Decision-Making Styles in Shaping Cybersecurity Compliance Behavior

“…Understanding individuals' current awareness levels and perceptions of cyber security issues will make significant contributions to the elimination of problems [5]. In addition, focusing on the effects of employee decision-making styles on cybersecurity compliance behaviors helps organizations take more effective security measures at an individual level.…”

“…Many studies have been conducted to explain individuals' cybersecurity compliance behaviors, based on different theories, such as rational choice theory (e.g., [2,3]), theory of planned behavior (e.g., [4,5]), general deterrence theory (e.g., [6,7]), neutralization theory (e.g., [8,9]), and protection motivation theory (e.g., [10][11][12][13]).…”

Organizational Determinants and Compliance Behavior to Shape Information Security Plan

“…ORG, supra) that collectively shape an individual's propensity to comply. The proposed construct comes from the observation that compliance is not an isolated act but rather a behavioral outcome, shaped by a constellation of influencing variables including role expectations, peer actions, and organizational ethos, Laslo-Roth and Schmidt-Barad (2021), Alsmadi et al (2022).…”

“…Managers' strategies, delineating both incentives and punishments, wield the potential to subtly sculpt employees' personal attitudes, underscoring the interplay between external stimuli and internal convictions, Caulfield and Pym (2015). This complex configuration of incentives and deterrents constructs an organizational environment where compliance resonates as a central motif, Alsmadi et al (2022).…”

“…This theoretical construction unfurls the relationship between extraneous influences, established industry conventions, and the interwoven substance of organizational culture, precipitating an orchestration of managerial conduct and compliance behavior, Chiu (2018), , Alsmadi et al (2022), Zhang and Hu (2017).…”