Working conditions and cybersecurity: Time pressure, autonomy and threat appraisal shaping employees’ security behavior
Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: With the increasing importance of cybersecurity in organizations, it becomes crucial that employees behave securely. In the present article, we investigate the interplay of antecedents on this behavior. We conceptualize cybersecurity behavior through the components of compliance and participation and investigate the relationship between security knowledge, threat appraisal (i.e., severity and susceptibility), and working conditions (i.e., time pressure, decision-making autonomy). We conducted an online survey in four public organizations, collecting quantitative cross-sectional data from 214 employees. The survey captured subjective perceptions of the concepts. Findings showed a positive effect of security knowledge on security compliance and security participation. The perception of severity and susceptibility strengthened both effects. Additionally, the presence of time pressure reduced the effect of security knowledge on security compliance, while having decision-making autonomy increased the effect of security knowledge on security participation. Our study demonstrates the interplay between antecedents and highlights the role of working conditions in employees’ cybersecurity behavior. Implications for practice in terms of training approaches considering work design are discussed.
DOI: 10.5817/cp2023-4-7
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funder: Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
OpenAlex ID: W4386834707