Cultural impact on user authentication systems. (1st January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alkaabi, Ahmed; Maple, Carsten
• Is Part Of: International journal of business continuity and risk management. Volume 4:Number 4(2013)
• Page Start: 323
• Page End: 343
• Publication Date: 2013-01-01
• Subjects: Arab culture -- information security -- sensitive information-sharing -- password sharing -- risk management -- cultural impact -- user authentication systems; Crisis management -- Periodicals; Strategic planning -- Periodicals; Risk management -- Periodicals; 658.405605
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-2164

Abstract

Sharing sensitive information including passwords of online accounts can be found in some themes, but with reason and generally on a small scale. However, we have conducted a study on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which has shown that there is a significant level of sensitive information-sharing among employees in the region. This is proven to highly contribute to compromising user digital authentication, eventually, putting users' accounts at risk. The potential threats of sensitive information-sharing can considerably harm both individuals and organisations in many ways. Technology and security solutions that aim to protect the organisation's assets will be limited if staff are not fully aware and convinced of the concept of information security. This paper discusses the consequences of this phenomenon on the GCC countries and suggests aspects of a solution based on the special characteristics of the Arab culture, which also considers human behaviour.