Date of Award
Spring 2018
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Advisor(s)
Julita Haber
Abstract
Today’s top management concerns increasingly include cybersecurity related issues such as data breaches and denial of service attacks. The majority of data breaches occur because of insecure passwords, which puts organizations and their bottom lines at risk. This research uncovers the role of perception of account importance for creating passwords, examines satisfaction’s influence on creating passwords and their strength, and determines how conscientiousness impacts password creation. Two cross-sectional survey studies are employed to answer questions about perceptions, satisfaction, and conscientiousness, prior and future passwords, and password characteristics for different accounts. Significant differences are found in password strengths between financial accounts and work accounts, with passwords being stronger for financial accounts. Conscientiousness and satisfaction positively affect the overall strength of passwords for work and financial accounts. The study findings suggests that more satisfied and conscientious employees may play an important role in ensuring company’s cybersecurity. Implications for management, future research, and study limitations are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Brietzke, Jackson, "Analyzing Attitudes Towards Employee Versus Personal Account Passwords" (2018). Gabelli School of Business Honors Thesis Collection. 120.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/gabelli_thesis/120
