Pathways to Cybersecurity Awareness and Protection Behaviors in South Korea

• Published in: The Journal of computer information systems Vol. 63; no. 1; pp. 94 - 106
• Main Authors: Lee, Claire Seungeun, Kim, Dongsim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Stillwater Taylor & Francis 02.01.2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Behavior; Cybersecurity; Cybersecurity awareness; cybersecurity protection behavior; cybersecurity risks; multigroup analysis; Risk acceptance; Structural equation modeling; South Korea
• ISSN: 0887-4417; 2380-2057
• DOI: 10.1080/08874417.2022.2031347

Cybersecurity awareness plays an important role in the human arena of cybersecurity. Using a nationally representative South Korean sample, this current study examines two pathways leading to enhanced cybersecurity protection behaviors in relation to cybersecurity awareness and cybersecurity risks. In addition, this study aims to identify generational differences between pathways. Data were derived from Information Security Survey, which is the latest public access survey on this topic. The study found that cybersecurity awareness and cybersecurity risk have a positive association with cybersecurity behaviors. In a multigroup analysis, the influence of cybersecurity risk on cybersecurity behaviors was statistically significant for all generational groups. Across the younger generation, acceptance of cybersecurity risk was more influenced by cybersecurity protection behaviors, while cybersecurity awareness became more important for the older generation. Practical, policy, and research implications for increasing cybersecurity awareness and risk to promote safe cybersecurity protection behaviors are also discussed.