Investigation the role of personality and individual differences on password security breaches: An Empirical Study

The individual differences of Information Technology users influence on the selection and maintenance of passwords. To fill this gap, this paper, studies the relationships between gender, personality, education level and field of study in one direction and password security in another direction. The method was descriptive and correlational. A sample selected by Convenience sampling, answered the NEO Five-Factor Model, biographical and password security behavior questionnaires. The data of 529 accepted questionnaires were analyzed using Pearson, T-Test, anova and regression the results showed that male users select stronger passwords compared to female users. The users in mathematical science, computer science, and also accounting, breached password security more often in comparison with users in other majors. Neuroticism has positive relationship, Openness-to-Experience and Agreeableness has negative relationships and Conscientiousness has a dual relationship with password security breach. These findings contribute to cybersecurity, especially in Iran, by considering individual differences in security behaviors and perceptions.