The human element in cyber security
Rebecca LeFebvre · 2012
The internet was originally designed as an open system for trustworthy users, yet with its rapid growth rate, it has become vulnerable to cyber crime. Much research exists on promoting cyber security awareness among employees of businesses, but less exists on cyber security awareness in the general population. This paper focuses on the general student population at Kennesaw State University (KSU), examining how they are motivated to protect themselves from the threat of cyber crime. The study's framework draws on Roger's Protection Motivation Theory, making use of the five motivational factors: risk severity, vulnerability, self-efficacy, response efficacy, and response cost. Research methods used include observation of on-campus classes, interviews with instructors, and surveys of a random sampling of students. The results showed that feelings of vulnerability were significant indicators of motivation to take precautions when using social networks. The response cost, measured in time and money required to respond to social networking threats as well as computer virus threats, was a significant negative indicator of motivation for action.