Introduction
The cybersecurity industry is critical for defending people, businesses, and
countries from online threats. The Cybersecurity Incident Response Analyst works on the
front lines of this sector, monitoring security alerts, identifying malicious activities, and
defending companies from cyber incidents. Even though the position is frequently linked
to technical tasks, social science concepts—particularly the study of human behavior,
decision-making, organizational culture, and societal impacts—are crucial to its
effectiveness. This paper evaluates how social science research influences incident
response professionals’ day-to-day work, demonstrates how fundamental course topics
relate to their position, and explores the profession’s interactions with underrepresented
groups and society at large.
Social science principles
In addition, human-computer interaction (HCI) and communication theory inform
how analysts deal with end users during incidents. Effective incident response entails
interviewing victims, gathering statements, and properly communicating steps during
high-stress situations. By studying criminal psychology, motivation theories, and social

engineering strategies used to manipulate specific groups, analysts can better understand
attacker behavior.
Application of Key Concepts
Several course elements are directly applicable to the daily job of an Incident
Response Analyst. First, social engineering and human factors are crucial because
attackers commonly exploit psychological vulnerabilities; analysts must understand
heuristics, trust patterns, and emotional triggers. Second, risk perception and decision-
making direct responders’ quick risk assessment, assisting companies in preventing
cognitively biased mistakes. Third, company culture influences communication and
reporting behaviors during incidents, requiring analysts to understand structures and
norms. Finally, ethical and privacy principles make sure analysts handle personal data
responsibly while analyzing logs, devices, and user data. These tools enable responders to
develop security policies that reduce risks connected to people and put technical finding
into reports.
Marginalization
Marginalized population groups—such as those with low-incomes, immigrants,
the elderly, and minority populations—are particularly affected by cyber threats. They
have a higher incidence of fraud, less access to security systems, and fewer resources for
recovery. Incident responders must grasp the societal disparities that make these areas
vulnerable. Studies indicate that marginalized groups are frequently affected by financial
scams and identity theft since they have limited digital literacy or support systems. As a
result, many cybersecurity teams are implementing equity-focused strategies including

multilingual training materials, culturally appropriate communication, and community
outreach activities to ensure that protection is accessible and inclusive.
Career Connection to Society
The work of incident response analysts is essential to the stability of society since
they assist crucial industries including healthcare, banking, education, and government.
Their activities aim to avoid data breaches, protect national security, and preserve public
trust in digital systems. These experts also have an impact on public cybersecurity policy,
assisting in the development of foundations for online rights, privacy protections, and
incident report rules. As society becomes more reliant on technology, incident responders
play an important role in ensuring that cybersecurity defenses adapt to changing threats
while remaining accessible to all parts of society.
Conclusion
The Cybersecurity Incident Response Analyst field illustrates the close
relationship between social science and cybersecurity. Understanding human behavior,
psychology, communication, and social inequality enables analysts to conduct effective
investigations and design prevention methods for varied populations. As society becomes
more digital, incident responders play an important role in protecting critical systems and
ensuring that cybersecurity safeguards are applied equitably across all communities. This
profession is not simply technical but inherently social, underlining the significance of
applying scientific ideas to maintain a secure and just digital society.
Scholarly Journal Articles

Anderson, R., Barton, C., Böhme, R., Clayton, R., van Eeten, M., Levi, M., Moore,
T., & Savage, S. (2019). Measuring the cost of cybercrime. Journal of Cybersecurity,
5(1).
Hadnagy, C. (2018). Social engineering: The science of human hacking. Wiley.
Moore, T. (2017). Critical information infrastructure and cybersecurity policy.
Journal of Cyber Policy, 2(2).