| Abstrakt: |
Purpose: This academic paper addresses the impact of cyberattacks on companies, employees, and customers, particularly in the context of increased digitalization due to the pandemic. It emphasizes the importance of the human factor in cybersecurity and proposes the need for a universal tool to measure threat perception and behaviour tendencies. The paper aims to expand knowledge in measuring employee exposure to cyberthreats, especially in remote and hybrid work, by presenting methodology, findings and applications. Research Background: In recent years, cybersecurity has gained significant attention, with a surge in published articles focusing on technical aspects and the human factor. However, there is a research gap regarding potentially dangerous behaviour among employees in remote or hybrid work models. Understanding individual differences in perceptions of cybersecurity is crucial for identifying vulnerabilities and enhancing corporate cyber resilience. Methods: A qualitative pilot study was conducted to create the "Employees' Exposure to Cyberthreats Scale" based on interviews with cybersecurity professionals. The scale was then validated through a survey study with a representative sample of remote employees (N = 563). The questionnaire employed an expectancy approach, assessing severity and probability of unsafe behaviours on a 5-point scale. Findings & Value Added: This paper presents the development and validation of a cyber exposure scale, measuring general and specific categories of cyberexposure. Three behaviour categories emerged: environmental, credential-related, and behavioural. The study provides preliminary results and practical implications for organizations to enhance cyber resilience, emphasizing the importance of employee behaviour and attitudes for cybersecurity practices. The findings contribute to tailored security policies and the development of a cybersecurity-focused organizational culture. Originality/value: This research addresses a gap in the current cybersecurity literature by focusing on the behaviors and perceptions of employees in remote and hybrid work models, an area which has seen increased relevance due to the pandemic-induced shift to digital platforms. Introducing the 'Employee Cyber Threat Exposure Scale', this paper provides a tool to measure individual differences, offering organisations insights to strengthen their cyber resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
