Title: Cyber-savvy or cyber-sloppy? Exploring Indian e-banking users' security behaviour

Authors: S. Prasanna; V. Mariappan; S.P. Nisha Pradeepa; R. Mani; S. Saravanan

Addresses: Department of Management Studies, CSB, B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Banking Technology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India ' Amity Global Business School, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600034, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Management, Nagaland University, Kohima, Nagaland, India ' Department of Management Studies, CSB, B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: As the banking sector adopts technology as a key driver of success, cybersecurity has become a pivotal defence against growing cyber threats. Recognising the importance of user behaviour alongside technological issues, this study examines e-banking users' cybersecurity behaviour through relevant psychological constructs, using the knowledge-attitude-behaviour model as the primary framework. A new conceptual framework based on cognitive load theory, andragogy, and the knowledge-attitude-behaviour model is developed and empirically tested using data from 772 Indian e-banking users. Structural equation modelling is used to analyse the proposed relationships. The findings reveal that bank efforts and customer initiatives shape users' CSK. In addition, attitude, memory recall, and CSK positively influence cybersecurity behaviour, while technophilia emerges as a complex moderating factor. Overall, the results underscore the influence of cognitive, attitudinal, and learning-related factors on cybersecurity practices and provide insights into CSK acquisition and behavioural formation.

Keywords: cybersecurity behaviour; CSB; information security; cybersecurity knowledge; CSK; memory recall; technophilia; customer efforts; CE; e-banking.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICS.2026.156923

International Journal of Information and Computer Security, 2026 Vol.31 No.1, pp.1 - 23

Received: 09 Jul 2025
Accepted: 13 Apr 2026
Published online: 12 Oct 2026 *

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