Demographic Factors in Cyber Security: An Empirical Study

Abstract

Despite high quality information systems security in place, organizations are vulnerable to cyber-attacks due to lapses in the human behavior. The present paper explores the importance of human factors in cyber security using an online survey data. It uses the work of Parson, Calic, Pattenson, Butavicius, McCormac and Zwaans [23] in measuring the human aspects of cyber security (leaving printouts, links from known source, website access, information in website, password complexity, links from known source, plugging USB in public places) and their linkages with the demographic factors (age, work experience, academic discipline, qualification, and place). ANOVA was used on a sample size of 165. It was found that demographic profile of employees and students significantly differ in their perception towards the cyber security. The paper has suggestions for information security awareness training programmes to handle the inadequacies.