Cultural influences on human cybersecurity behaviour. A study of Switzerland and Cameroon

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.