Risk perceptions about personal Internet-of-Things: Research directions from a multi-panel Delphi study

Abstract

Internet-of-Things (IoT) research has primarily focused on identifying IoT devices' organizational risks with little attention to consumer perceptions about IoT device risks. The purpose of this study is to understand consumer risk perceptions for personal IoT devices and translate these perceptions into guidance for future research directions. We conduct a sequential, mixed-methods study using multi-panel Delphi and thematic analysis techniques to understand consumer risk perceptions. The results identify four themes focused on data exposure and user experiences within IoT devices. Our thematic analysis also identified several emerging risks associated with the evolution of IoT device functionality and its potential positioning as a resource for malicious actors to conduct security attacks.