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I shall, we shall, and all others will: paradoxical information security behaviour

Dirk P. Snyman (School of Computer, Statistical and Mathematical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa)
Hennie Kruger (Department of Computer Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa)
Wayne D. Kearney (North-West University, Currambine, Australia)

Information and Computer Security

ISSN: 2056-4961

Article publication date: 9 July 2018

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the lemming effect as a possible cause for the privacy paradox in information security.

Design/methodology/approach

Behavioural threshold analysis is used to test for the presence of the lemming effect in information security behaviour. Paradoxical behaviour may be caused by the influential nature of the lemming effect. The lemming effect is presented as a possible cause of the privacy paradox.

Findings

The behavioural threshold analysis indicates that the lemming effect is indeed present in information security behaviour and may lead to paradoxical information security behaviour.

Practical implications

The analysis of the lemming effect can be used to assist companies in understanding the way employees influence each other in their behaviour in terms of security. By identifying possible problem areas, this approach can also assist in directing their information security education endeavours towards the most relevant topics.

Originality/value

This research describes the first investigation of the lemming effect in information security by means of behavioural threshold analysis in practice.

Keywords

Citation

Snyman, D.P., Kruger, H. and Kearney, W.D. (2018), "I shall, we shall, and all others will: paradoxical information security behaviour", Information and Computer Security, Vol. 26 No. 3, pp. 290-305. https://doi.org/10.1108/ICS-03-2018-0034

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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