There's No place like home: Understanding users' intentions toward securing internet-of-things (IoT) smart home networks

Abstract

Modern households are increasingly becoming digitized as they contain numerous Internet-connected networked devices throughout the home. However, this growth in the adoption of smart devices in households comes with the risk of Internet cyber-attacks that seem to be increasing every year. With many individuals working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, smart home networks are becoming small extensions of the organizational IT infrastructure. Amidst this backdrop, this behavioral study aims to understand the factors that drive an individual's intention toward securing their home network from cyber-attacks. We draw upon rational choice theory (RCT) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) to derive a model consisting of cognitive and psychological components to explain an individual's intention to secure their smart home network. From a survey of 503 working professionals, our data analysis shows strong support for our research model, and, thus, the hypothesized relationships between the cognitive and psychological factors and individual security intentions. Practical implications of these results for home users, organizations, and researchers are discussed, which will be helpful for organizational IT security managers in planning for organizational security as the line between home and workplace is becoming increasingly blurred.