Social Connectivity and ISP Compliance: Relatedness as a Security Motivator in Remote Work

As remote work gains prominence, ensuring compliance with Information Security Policies (ISP) in decentralized work environments has become a critical cybersecurity challenge. This study examines the role of relatedness, a key construct of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), in influencing security compliance intentions within Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA). A quantitative survey-based analysis (n = 114) reveals a strong positive correlation (rs= .74, p < .001) between perceived relatedness and ISP compliance intentions, highlighting how perceived social connection influences security behavior. The findings suggest organizations can enhance security and privacy compliance by fostering team cohesion, peer support, and security culture in remote work settings. These insights provide practical guidance for designing organizational security policies integrating social connectivity strategies to mitigate security risks and strengthen compliance in decentralized digital environments.