Exploring the Impact of Previous Experience, and Threats Awareness on Influencing Regular Information Backup Among USA Population

Abstract

Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve in sophistication, increasingly targeting individuals as the weakest link in the security chain. While technical solutions remain essential, human-centered protective behaviors such as regular information backup are critical to mitigating risks from ransomware, device failure, and accidental deletion. This study investigates how past experiences with cyber incidents and awareness of threats influence backup practices among individuals in the United States. Drawing on Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), we conducted a mixed-methods survey ( =308) that measured threat appraisal (perceived severity, vulnerability) and coping appraisal (self-efficacy, response efficacy, response cost), along with threat awareness and prior experience. Multiple regression explained nearly half of the variance in backup behavior ( =0.498), with self-efficacy and threat awareness emerging as strong positive predictors; response cost was negative and significant. Qualitative responses illustrated experience- and awareness-driven adoption and highlighted common hybrid routines (cloud plus removable media) as well as barriers related to perceived effort or low perceived value. The findings underscore the importance of integrating human factors into cybersecurity programs and suggest concrete levers for awareness, design, and policy that reduce friction and promote routine backups.