Cybersecurity Expert Perspectives on Data Thieves’ Actions in Digital Environments: Potential Refinements for Routine Activity Theory

Renushka Madarie; Marleen Weulen Kranenbarg; Christianne de Poot

doi:10.1080/01639625.2025.2453440

Cybersecurity Expert Perspectives on Data Thieves’ Actions in Digital Environments: Potential Refinements for Routine Activity Theory

Renushka Madarie, Marleen Weulen Kranenbarg, Christianne de Poot

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Abstract

Previous quantitative studies applying Routine Activity Theory (RAT) to cybercrime victimization produced mixed results. Through semi-structured interviews with cybersecurity experts, the current study aims to qualitatively reevaluate the applicability of RAT to cyber-dependent crime, specifically data theft from organizations. An in-depth assessment of environmental factors appearing to affect data thieves’ actions resulted in concrete operationalizations of theoretical concepts. Importantly, we highlight the distinction between target selection and strategic choices made during the attack. Furthermore, RAT appeared to be as relevant, if not more, for explaining offender actions during an attack as for the initial convergence of offenders and digital targets.

Original language	English
Number of pages	19
Journal	Deviant Behavior
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2025.2453440
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 22 Jan 2025

Funding

This study was funded by the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and the Police Academy of The Netherlands [project number P.0004540822].

Funders	Funder number
Politieacademie	project number P.0004540822

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Cybersecurity Expert Perspectives on Data Thieves’ Actions in Digital Environments: Potential Refinements for Routine Activity Theory

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