Abstract
Having a strong technical information security posture does not mean that the organization will have a fully secured system. Human factors equally play a significant role in information security. Workaround is a choice people make so as not to do things in the prescribed approach, and this may be damaging and harmful to information security. This research paper adopts a quantitative approach to examine the effects of workaround behaviour on information security integrity. The objective of this research is to determine how workaround behaviour affects the integrity of information security. The study looks into the several elements that people consider when deciding to use workarounds and examines how those factors affect the overall integrity of information security systems. A thorough examination of the literature on studies concentrating on workaround behaviours in information security is part of the research methodology. The results demonstrate that workaround behaviours are a result of both organizational and individual variables.. The research applied purposive sampling and gathered data through online surveys targeted at multiple organizations in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The questionnaire was designed to collect data on the frequency and make up of workaround activities, as well as the effects workaround has on the integrity of information security. Regression analysis and correlation testing were two statistical analysis methods used to analyse quantitative data. The results of this study add to the body of knowledge by presenting empirical data on how workaround actions affect information security integrity. Organizations may build more effective strategies for securing against potential attacks and protecting sensitive data by understanding how these behaviours affect the overall efficacy and reliability of information security systems.
Keywords: Workaround behaviours, information security integrity, quantitative research method, organizational culture, risk mitigation