Alonni Wells
CYSE 201S
October 26, 2025

Cybersecurity Analysts
Cybersecurity analysts are people who protect computers, networks, and online information from
hackers. But their job isn’t just about technology. Understanding people, society, and ethics is
just as important (Samson, 2024). Social science helps analysts figure out why people do what
they do online and how their work affects different groups of people.
One big challenge in cybersecurity is that people are often the weakest part of the system.
Hackers take advantage of this using tricks called social engineering, like phishing emails or fake
messages. Cybersecurity analysts use social science to understand why people trust others or
follow authority without thinking (Fitz, 2025). This knowledge helps analysts teach people how
to avoid being tricked and create programs that encourage groups to watch for suspicious
activity. This “human firewall” works together with technical defenses to keep systems safe.
Ethics are another important part of the job. Analysts have to decide how much monitoring of
online activity is okay while respecting privacy (Mhajne & Henshaw, 2024). Social science helps
them think about fairness and make sure their work doesn’t hurt certain groups, especially
marginalized communities. For example, when monitoring employees for security risks, analysts
need to be careful not to unfairly target or single out anyone.

Marginalized groups, like low-income communities or minority populations, can be more
vulnerable to cyberattacks. There are at least three challenges they face: limited access to
cybersecurity education, language or literacy barriers, and higher chances of being tricked by
scams or phishing attacks. Analysts can use social science to create solutions, like guides in
different languages or working with community groups to teach online safety (Samson, 2024).
Protecting sensitive information, such as healthcare records or data from activist groups, is
especially important for these communities.
Cybersecurity analysts also need to understand society to build trust. People are more likely to
follow safety rules if they understand them and trust the advice. Analysts use social science to
learn about culture, misinformation, and how people respond to technology (Fitz, 2025). This
helps them create messages and programs that people will actually use, keeping communities
safer.
In conclusion, cybersecurity analysts don’t just work with computers, they also work with
people. Social science helps them understand behavior, make fair decisions, and protect
everyone, including marginalized groups. By combining technical skills with knowledge about
people and society, analysts can make online systems safer and more inclusive.

References:
 Samson, K. O. (2024). The Role of Social Science in a Cybersecurity Analyst’s Career. Old
Dominion University. https://sites.wp.odu.edu/key/2024/12/08/the-role-of-social-science-in-a-
cybersecurity-analysts-career/
 Mhajne, A., & Henshaw, A. (Eds.). (2024). Critical Perspectives on Cybersecurity: Feminist
and Postcolonial Interventions. Oxford University Press. https://academic.oup.com/book/56108
 Fitz, T. L. (2025). The Social Science Behind Cybersecurity Analysts’ Work. Old Dominion
University. https://sites.wp.odu.edu/tiyaralavonfitz/2025/04/30/the-social-science-behind-
cybersecurity-analysts-work/