Coping strategies and paradoxes related to byod information security threats in France

Abstract

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) refers to the provision and use of personal mobile devices by employees for both private and business purposes. Although there has been research on BYOD, little attention has been paid to employees’ perception of threats to their personal information security (ISS) when using a BYOD, especially in a professional context. This article investigates employee coping strategies related to BYOD ISS threats in France. The results of a survey of 223 employees indicate that while perceived behavioral control exerts only direct effects on problem-focused (i.e., disturbance handling) and emotion-focused (i.e., self-preservation) coping strategies, ISS concern exhibits significant direct and moderating influences. Several security paradoxes could be identified, namely, discrepancies between the respondents’ ISS concern and the adopted coping strategies. This article offers the first insights into the French context and can serve as a basis for comparisons in future research and to help improve employees’ personal ISS in the professional context.