Understanding cybersecurity behavioral habits: Insights from situational support

Abstract While the Internet has become an indispensable aspect of personal and professional lives, it has also served to render many individuals vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. Thus, the promotion of cybersecurity behaviors can effectively protect individuals from these threats. However, cybersecurity behaviors do not necessarily come naturally, and people need support and encouragement to develop and adopt them. A habit is an important factor that may motivate cybersecurity behaviors, but it has often been overlooked in past studies. To address this limitation, this study examined the formation of cybersecurity behavioral habits. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to analyze cybersecurity behavior survey data obtained from 393 college student participants. The results revealed the following: (1) efficacy and behavioral comprehensiveness predict cybersecurity behavioral habits; (2) efficacy has a positively impact on behavioral comprehensiveness; (3) situational support has a positive influence on efficacy. These findings suggest that cybersecurity behavioral habits can be formed by promoting the diversity of cybersecurity measures practiced (behavioral comprehensiveness) and efficacy.