Working Conditions and Cybersecurity: Time Pressure, Autonomy and Threat Appraisal Shaping Employees’ Security Behavior

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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.
Original languageEnglish
Article number7
Number of pages19
JournalCyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace
Volume17
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Sept 2023

Research Field

  • Former Research Field - Experience Business Transformation

Keywords

  • cybersecurity
  • security knowledge
  • threat appraisal
  • working conditions
  • time pressure
  • decision-making autonomy
  • perceived severity
  • perceived susceptibility

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