Abstract

Enhancing cybersecurity awareness via training initiatives is crucial for mitigating cybersecurity threats across individuals, organizations, and society at large. These programs typically utilize task-based approaches with clearly defined objectives to equip participants with essential skills and knowledge (Pan et al., 2023; Wang et al., 2017). However, despite the significance of task-oriented cybersecurity training, there's a notable research gap regarding how individuals' cybersecurity identity influences their self-goal setting within these training contexts. Drawing upon IT identity theory (Carter et al., 2020) and goal-setting theory (Locke and Latham 2002), this study aims to investigate the impact of cybersecurity identity on self-goal setting and subsequent goal-directed effort. Specifically, we seek to understand how individuals' perception of themselves in the context of cybersecurity shapes their goals and motivates their actions during training, particularly in anti-phishing exercises. By examining the relationship between cybersecurity identity and goal-directed behavior, this research attempts to enhance our understanding of cybersecurity training effectiveness. By highlighting the role of cybersecurity identity in shaping individuals' self-goal setting and efforts, this study not only contributes valuable insights to the existing literature on cybersecurity training but also offers practical implications for designing more tailored and effective training programs. Ultimately, by integrating identity theory, goal-setting theory, and cybersecurity training, this research aims to empower individuals and organizations in their efforts to combat cyber threats.

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