The phrase “cyber deviance” refers to employees’ voluntary use of a company’s Internet connection for non-work-related reasons during working hours. Distracting behaviors like these could increase or decrease employee job satisfaction or cause productivity losses(What is Cyberdeviance). While a more digital workplace fosters innovation and progress, it poses serious risks to companies, such as destructive forms of employee-driven cybercrime and deviance. According to Cybersecurity Ventures’ predictions, the total cost of cybercrime worldwide is expected to increase by 15% yearly over the next five years, peaking at $10.5 trillion by 2025. This damage estimate considers all potential sources of cyber threats, including organized crime, insider threats, nation-state-sponsored threats, and cybercriminals(Jones, 2023).

Employee deviance in the context of cyberspace refers to actions that go against company policies, procedures, or standards and typically cause harm to the group or its members. Cyber deviance encompasses several actions such as excessive personal use of the internet during work hours, spreading inappropriate content (such as online pornography) or spreading rumors, gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information, and misusing business systems or data. Even though these unproductive employee activities might seem insignificant or innocent at first, over time they can result in significant financial loss and damage to the culture of the company, particularly if the actions unintentionally assist cybercriminals(Jones, 2023).

References

What is Cyberdeviance. IGI Global. (n.d.). https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/cyberdeviance/53757

Jones, J. W. (2023, October 25). Employee cybercrime and deviance: A loss prevention psychology perspective. Loss Prevention Media. https://losspreventionmedia.com/employee-cybercrime-and-deviance-a-loss-prevention-psychology-perspective/