A recent white paper released by Kaspersky in collaboration with Associate Professor Jiow Hee Jhee of the Singapore Institute of Technology has highlighted the key motivational drivers that influence individuals' approach to cybersecurity issues. The survey, which investigated attitudes amongst educators in India, Singapore, and the Philippines, revealed that a significant understanding of the negative consequences of poor cyber hygiene was a strong motivator for adopting positive online behaviours. Factors such as age, gender, and educational levels did not influence the results.
The report focused on leveraging the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), a model that examines the factors that influence individual behaviours towards potential threats. Through this model, the study sought to understand the influences on behaviours towards certain cybersecurity issues. The findings revealed that an individual's coping appraisal, their assessment of the efficacy of a behavioural response to a threat and their capacity to carry out a recommended response, was a significant factor in their approach to cyber safety practices such as secure Wi-Fi, engaging with unknown links, or adopting strong passwords.
On the topic of coping appraisal, Associate Professor Jiow Hee Jhee said, "Our study shows that it is important for users of the cyber world to be educated on the severity of the consequences as well as the vulnerability of being victims. More importantly, we must be able to encourage and support users in ways they can manage (and cope with) the protective measures, so as to foster their cyber resilience."
The white paper suggests that alongside coping appraisal, positive messaging and a comprehensive understanding of the potential threats individuals face are crucial for influencing positive change in online behaviours. The report emphasises the importance of designing cybersecurity messages that are empowering and relatable, highlighting the actionable steps individuals can confidently take to protect themselves from cyber threats.
The report draws attention to the essential role of educators in facilitating the next generation's understanding of cyber hygiene. Cybersecurity education is a growing priority given the increasing digitalisation of our world. As Evgeniya Russkikh, Head of Cybersecurity Education at Kaspersky, put it, "As digitalisation accelerates and redefines the future, our activities and decisions online will drastically affect our lives. Cybersecurity education remains relevant and an utmost priority. This research draws our attention to the value of providing more cybersecurity training to teachers as they play a critical role in transferring cyber hygiene skills to the next generation."
The report concludes with a reminder of the importance of regular practice of good cyber hygiene habits, use of comprehensive cybersecurity solutions and careful thinking before posting online. The intention is for individuals to understand that actions and decisions online are often irreversible and can potentially have significant consequences if cybersecurity practices are not properly followed.