Abstract

As the complexity of technology and information systems constantly increases, the human component becomes ever more prone to cybersecurity errors. Nevertheless, the existing information security policies created to prevent cybersecurity incidents show very little account of human behavior. This corresponds with the view of the neoclassical economics model that regards humans as rational agents who have perfect self-control and who make only rational choices when provided with adequate information. Behavioral economics introduced quantifiable irrationalities in the model, allowing for an explanation of why humans are often taking decisions that are not in their best interest. This dissertation comprises three studies that explore the influence of cognitive biases and heuristics in cybersecurity. Findings from Study 1 confirm that when presented with a large assortment of choices individuals are more likely to defer their decision than when presented with a small assortment of choices. Also, time constraints are acting as a moderator in the relationship between the number of choices and decision deferral caused by choice overload. Study 2 revealed that the level of fear of missing out is positively correlated with the level of social engineering vulnerability and a negative correlation of information security awareness with social engineering vulnerability was confirmed. Also, an analysis of the influence of information security awareness on the relationship between the level of fear of missing out and the level of social engineering vulnerability indicated a moderation effect. Study 3 emphasized the importance of integrating the habit concept into research on information systems security by revealing a positive correlation between the level of habits in daily life and the level of ISS compliance habits. Also, the study confirmed that ISS training participation is positively correlated with the level of ISS compliance habits strength.

Notes

If this is your thesis or dissertation, and want to learn how to access it or for more information about readership statistics, contact us at STARS@ucf.edu

Graduation Date

2022

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Caulkins, Bruce

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Degree Program

Modeling and Simulation

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0009325; DP0027048

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0027048

Language

English

Release Date

December 2027

Length of Campus-only Access

5 years

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Campus-only Access)

Download

Restricted to the UCF community until December 2027; it will then be open access.

Share

COinS