Personality and Employees’ Information Security Behavior among Generational Cohorts

The Big Five Factors Model (FFM) of personality traits theory was tested for its ability to explain employee information security behavior (EISB), when age, measured by generational cohort (GCOHORT), moderated the relationship between independent variables (IVs) extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, intellect (EACESI) and dependent variable (DV), employees’ (EISB) which is file protection (FPB). Three age groups defined GCOHORT: 52–70 years old (1946–1964, Baby Boomers), 36–51 yrs (1965–1980, Generation X), 18– 35 yrs. Old (1981–1998, Millennial). Results hierarchical multiple regressions analyses revealed statistically significant relationships overall traits, four individual factors DV (p < .05). However, contrary expectations, GCOHORT did not moderate any main IVs > Recommendations future research are offered.