Can Cyberloafing and Internet Addiction Affect Organizational Information Security?

Abstract

Researchers have noted potential links between Internet addiction, the use of work computers for nonwork purposes and an increased risk of threat to the organization from breaches in cybersecurity. However, much of this research appears conjectural in nature and lacks clear empirical evidence to support such claims. To fill this knowledge gap, a questionnaire-based study explored the link between cyberloafing, Internet addiction, and information security awareness (ISA). A total of 338 participants completed an online questionnaire, which comprised of the Online Cognition Scale, Cyberloafing Scale, and the Human Aspects of Information Security Questionnaire. Participants who reported higher Internet addiction and cyberloafing tendencies had lower ISA, and Internet addiction and cyberloafing predicted a significant 45 percent of the variance in ISA. Serious cyberloafing, such as the propensity to visit adult websites and online gambling, was shown to be the significant predictor for poorer ISA. Implications for organizations and recommendations to reduce or manage inappropriate Internet use are discussed.

Exploring the role of work identity and work locus of control in information security awareness

“…Cyberloafing is defined as an individuals' propensity to engage in the use of workbased information technology for non-work purposes (Blanchard & Henle, 2008). In the research by Hadlington and Parsons (2017) major cyberloafing (e.g. visiting adult websites, updating personaly webpages) acted as significant negative predictor for scores on the HAIS-Q.…”

“…More recent research using the HAIS-Q has explored individual differences in factors that are outside Big-5 personality constructs. For example, research by Hadlington and Parsons (2017) presented an exploration of how two previously unexplored factors, that of Internet addiction and cyberloafing, served to influence ISA.…”

“…Such failures are presented in the context of one key confound for the successful operation and implementation of such technologies, that being the human end user. Over the past decade there has been a growing focus on work that explores the role of the end user and the associated individual differences that may influence information security within the workplace (Calic, Pattinson, Parsons, Butavicius, & McCormac, 2016;Hadlington & Parsons, 2017;McCormac et al, 2017;Parsons et al, 2017). Whilst this work has demonstrated that Big-5 personality factors such as conscientiousness can serve to influence an employee's adherence to accepted information security protocol , limited work has focused directly on personality factors linked into commitment to the workplace.…”

The “Human Factor” in Cybersecurity

“…These factors link into the artifacts of modern life, and span a plethora of phenomena associated with the use of digital technology. For instance, there has been some discussion of how aspects such as cyberloafing and Internet addiction could both influence ISA (for example see Hadlington, 2017;Hadlington & Parsons, 2017). The term cyberloafing has also been used to describe a process through which individuals actively engage the use of the companies' Internet access during work hours for non-work related purposes (Ozler & Polat, 2012).…”

Eu Navego, Tu Navegas E Nós Deveríamos Estar Trabalhando: Um Estudo Netnográfico Da Manifestação Do Cyberloafing Nas Interações Sociais Online

“…O cyberloafing representa um problema emergente para as organizações contemporâneas uma vez que pode suscitar consequências negativas tanto para os gestores, em termos de produtividade e segurança, quanto para os funcionários, que podem ser dispensados por justa causa (OZLER; POLAT, 2012;JANDAGHI et al, 2015;BENIGNO, 2017;DELPUPO;SILVA, 2017;HADLINGTON;PARSONS, 2017 MCCARTHY, 2011;JANDAGHI et al, 2015;CAO et al, 2016;DERIN;GÖKÇE, 2016;SALINAS;FARFÁN, 2017;KOAY;CHEW, 2017).…”