Cultural influences on human cybersecurity behaviour. A study of Switzerland and Cameroon
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Author (Corporation)
Publication date
2026
Type of student thesis
Course of study
Collections
Type
04B - Conference paper
Editor (Corporation)
Supervisor
Parent work
Society 5.0. 5th International Conference Society 5.0 2025, San Benedetto Del Tronto, Italy, June 25–27, 2025, Revised Selected Papers
Special issue
DOI of the original publication
Link
Related research data
Series
Communications in Computer and Information Science (CCIS£)
Series number
2787
Volume
Issue / Number
Pages / Duration
87-97
Patent number
Publisher / Publishing institution
Springer
Place of publication / Event location
San Benedetto Del Tronto
Edition
Version
Programming language
Assignee
Practice partner / Client
Abstract
Culture—be it national or organizational culture—shapes the behaviour, mindset and decision-making of individuals. Since human behaviour is considered the most vulnerable link in the security chain, it is worth examining the relationship between culture and human behaviour in the field of cybersecurity. This paper examines culture as a fundamental element of cybersecurity, highlighting its impact on security awareness, decision-making, and risk perception. Specifically, we explore how national and organisational culture shape cybersecurity practices in cross-cultural contexts. Using a qualitative approach, we conduct episodic and focus group interviews with cybersecurity professionals, educators, Chief Security Officers, and students from diverse educational backgrounds in Switzerland and Cameroon. Our findings reveal that cultural dimensions such as power distance, individualism, and uncertainty avoidance significantly influence cybersecurity behaviour. This study expands the body of literature on culture and individual cybersecurity behaviour and provides new, practical implications for integrating culture into cybersecurity training in educational institutions and organisations.
Keywords
Event
5th International Conference Society 5.0 2025
Exhibition start date
Exhibition end date
Conference start date
25.06.2025
Conference end date
27.06.2025
Date of the last check
ISBN
978-3-032-15462-0
978-3-032-15463-7
978-3-032-15463-7
ISSN
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
peer-reviewed
Open access category
Closed
Citation
Ebai, F., Ako, S. E., Schneider, B., Epah, G. F., Mufua, G. N., Acho, W. A., Boma, W., Boma, W., Afumbom, D. A., Visemih, V. I. K., Lackbuin, S. N., & Feh, M. (2026). Cultural influences on human cybersecurity behaviour. A study of Switzerland and Cameroon. In F. Corradini, K. Hinkelmann, H. Smuts, & B. Re (Eds.), Society 5.0. 5th International Conference Society 5.0 2025, San Benedetto Del Tronto, Italy, June 25–27, 2025, Revised Selected Papers (pp. 87–97). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-15463-7_8