Securing the Fort : a case study of motivating factors for cybersecurity

Abstract: As organizations increasingly embrace digitalization, they encounter both benefits and threats that necessitate a keen focus on cybersecurity and organizational management. The rapidly evolving technological landscape demands continuous research to address the challenges and uncertainties faced by organizations. This thesis aims to investigate the motivation behind employee adherence to cybersecurity directives and the factors influencing management's implementation of such directives. The theoretical framework used as influence in this thesis is the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, with a specific focus on a case study of an IT-infrastructure and consultant firm. Through a qualitative approach utilizing semi-structured interviews, this thesis provides insights into the motivating factors that drive employee compliance and the key considerations guiding management's cybersecurity practices. By illuminating these factors, this thesis offers valuable guidance for organizations seeking to enhance their cybersecurity and overall performance. This thesis also applied the TOE framework on a new context, further expanding its applicability.