Career Paper:
Relationship Between the Social Sciences and Cybersecurity Analyst
Ayannia Gamble
School of Cybersecurity, Old Dominion University CYSE
201s: Cybersecurity and the Social Sciences
April 16, 2025
According to Coursera (2025), Cybersecurity Analysts are professionals who “protect computer networks from cyberattacks and unauthorized access”. Cybersecurity analysts rely on social science research and the principles to understand the human element of cyber threats and societal factors that may influence security.
How cybersecurity analysts depend on social science research and social science principles
Based on research, cybersecurity analysts tend to use the social science principle of objectivity by studying topics value-free manner. When analysts are investigating a threat or seeing what happened during a security breach, they rely on actual evidence like logs, threat reports, and data from security tools. They don’t just promote an opinion but rather use evidence from their investigations. The principle of parsimony relates to cybersecurity analysts due to them keeping their explanations as simple as possible. By taking out irrelevant data and focusing on key indicators, they avoid giving out overwhelming information, allowing clearer understanding. Cybersecurity analysts apply the principle of relativism by recognizing that changes in one system can lead to changes in others. By understanding that all systems are related, analysts make choices that help prevent security issues from escalating across networks and organizations.
Connection to the concept from class
Cyber Victimization:
Cybersecurity analyst uses the concept “cyber victimization” to identify how users fall victims to phishing, deepfakes, and spear phishing attacks, or even how they can fall victim to these attacks. By understanding these tactics, they can design targeted awareness programs and implement tools to reduce risk.
Human System Integration(HSI):
Applying human systems integration to the role of cybersecurity analyst helps analysts consider human behavior, perception, and limitations when designing and managing these security systems. This means creating user-friendly interfaces and making sure policies align with how people actually work. Recognizing that humans are both potential vulnerabilities and also can be targets.
Quasi-Experiment:
Cybersecurity analysts use quasi-experiments to evaluate methods and how effective they are, such as new training programs or security policies. For example, they might compare phishing rates before and after new training implementation, to see if the intervention actually leads to safer measurements.
Risk Triangle(CIA Triad):
This is an important concept that cybersecurity analysts implement. They rely on the CIA triad (confidentiality, integrity, and availability) to estimate and prioritize risk. When responding to threats like deepfakes or phishing, they evaluate how each attack can potentially compromise data, alter information, or disrupt systems. This can help with trying to design systems to protect all three aspects.
Relationship between the career, marginalized groups, and challenges
Cybersecurity analysts work to protect marginalized groups who often fall victim to the increasing online risk due to limited knowledge and resources. They talk with communities to create accessible security tools, training to fit all, and speak up for inclusive policies that address cultural differences. However, challenges like the digital divide, lack of access to technology, and privacy of marginalized groups arise. Despite challenges, cybersecurity analysts continue helping marginalized groups stay safer in the digital world.
Interactions between society and the career
In connection with society, cybersecurity analyst keeps society safe as everything moves online. They’re not just protecting systems but people’s privacy, money, and even the trust we have in our electronics. They work to spot threats and mitigate risks. In a world where not everyone has the same resources, analysts play in role in making the digital world safe and fair for everyone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, by using the social science principles and research, cybersecurity analysts effectively understand and address the complex world revolving around cybersecurity. They detect what can be vulnerable and mitigate these risks. Cybersecurity analysts work to develop a safe space and secure environment for society.
References
Abbott, R. G., McClain, J., Anderson, B., Nauer, K., Silva, A., & Forsythe, C. (2015).
Log analysis of cyber security training exercises. Procedia Manufacturing, 3, 5088–5094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2015.07.523
What does a cybersecurity analyst do? 2025 job guide. Coursera. (n.d.). https://www.coursera.org/articles/cybersecurity-analyst-job-guide
Madhavan, P., Cooke, N. J., Bass, E. J., Meyer, J., & Roth, E. M. (2016). The National
Academies Board on Human Systems Integration Panel: Applying Human-Systems Integration to Cyber Security. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 59(1), 405-408. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541931215591085 (Original work published 2015)