The Role of Decision-Making Styles in Shaping Cybersecurity Compliance Behavior

Abstract

The growing number of attacks on crucial cyber networks is one of humanity’s most significant security threats. Combining technological solutions with the convenient cybersecurity behavior of the human factor is necessary to reduce the effects of these attacks. In this study, the impact of individual decision-making styles on cybersecurity compliance behavior was examined. A conceptual framework was developed based on the protective motivation theory, and it was tested with a data set representing the survey results of 668 employees and students with work experience. Regression analyses were performed to evaluate the impacts of individuals’ decision-making styles on cybersecurity compliance behaviors. Results showed that the decision-making styles of individuals affected their cybersecurity compliance behaviors, and these effects showed significant differences according to their decision-making styles. The study also confirmed that security awareness was another important indicator of cybersecurity compliance behavior. Our research provided new insight into the effects of individual decision-making styles on cybersecurity compliance behavior.