Increasing the persuasiveness of IT security communication: Effects of fear appeals and self-view

IT security professionals strive to instill a systematic approach to security management through awareness training, procedures and policies that govern end user computing. In order to better understand end users’ attitudes about performing relevant security behaviors, we have designed an experimental study to investigate the persuasiveness of security communication. More specifically, we argue that it is possible to influence security behavioral intentions of end users with fear appeal and self view manipulations made salient to them. The research program described here will suggest ways that HCI practitioners and researchers can explore the domain of security communications, and contribute to extending our theoretical understanding and practical ability to increase persuasiveness of IT security communication.