A Separate Phone to Work and Play: Protection Motivation Theory and Smartphone Security Behaviour

Smartphone security is a growing concern. In this study, we use the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) to explore users’ attitudes, perceptions and behaviours towards the security of their work provided and personal smartphones. Australian employees from an insurance company participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews focussed on their behaviours. Data was analysed using deductive and inductive thematic analysis, guided by PMT to explore the comparisons between personal and work devices. The main overarching theme was that people behave more safely on their work smartphones compared to on their personal smartphones. Results suggest that perceived vulnerability, perceived reward, response cost, self-efficacy and social influence largely contributed to a lack of protective behaviours displayed when using personal smartphones. Despite the safe behaviour reported for work smartphones, these behaviours appear to be motivated by organisational controls, rather than intrinsically. This research has applied implications for education, relevant to both personal and workplace contexts.