Evaluating the effectiveness of learner controlled information security training. Issue 87 (November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abraham, Sherly; Chengalur-Smith, InduShobha
• Is Part Of: Computers & security. Issue 87(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-11
• Subjects: Information security training -- Learner control -- Self-efficacy -- Security training performance -- Threat severity -- Threat susceptibility -- Training satisfaction -- Protection motivation theory; Computer security -- Periodicals; Electronic data processing departments -- Security measures -- Periodicals; 005.805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cose.2019.101586
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-4048

Abstract

Abstract: The goal of this study is to examine the effects of learner control on information security (ISec) training effectiveness. While organizations recognize the importance of education and training in security and invest in such efforts, the design of these programs often lacks theoretical grounding and the outcomes are often not critically evaluated. This paper attempts to fill these gaps by (1) identifying desirable characteristics for the design of such training programs, (2) using these characteristics as guidelines to design a web-based information security training (3) experimentally evaluating the effectiveness of the training using critical outcomes such as training satisfaction, security training performance, self-efficacy, perceived threat severity and susceptibility. We find that web based ISec training that incorporates learner control positively affects training reactions and learning outcomes.