Introduction
A Security Analyst is a person who protects computer systems from hackers and cyber threats. They look for weak spots in networks and fix them. They watch over systems to stop attacks before they happen. If something bad does happen, they figure out what went wrong and how to stop it from happening again. Their job is not just technical. It also involves understanding people. Cybersecurity is not only about machines. It is also about how people act and think. This is why knowledge from other areas, like social science, is important. Security Analysts need to understand human behavior. They also need to make sure security works for everyone, not just a few. Social science helps them think about fairness and how to protect people in different groups. It helps them see the bigger picture. This paper will show how social science helps Security Analysts do their job better.
Understanding Human Behavior in Cybersecurity
Security Analysts must understand how people think and act. Many cyber attacks happen because someone is tricked into clicking a bad link or sharing private information. This is called social engineering. It works because attackers know how to use human behavior against people. Social science helps Security Analysts learn how these tricks work. It teaches them to look for patterns in how people use computers. These patterns show where the risks are. Psychology and sociology give tools to build better training for users. These tools help people learn how to stay safe online. Human behavior is often the weakest part of a security system. So, understanding people is just as important as understanding computers (Muller & Burrell, 2022).
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Cybersecurity Practice
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are very important in cybersecurity. People come from different backgrounds. They have different needs and ways of using technology. A good Security Analyst thinks about all kinds of users. They do not build one system for everyone. They build systems that work for different people. Some users may have disabilities. Some may not speak English well. Some may not have strong internet. Security Analysts must make sure the tools they protect are fair and easy to use. This is called inclusive threat modeling. It means planning for everyone. It helps stop problems before they happen. A diverse team can see more risks and solve them better. This makes cybersecurity stronger for all (Carner Derron, 2021).
Addressing Cybersecurity Needs of Marginalized Communities
Cyber threats do not affect everyone the same way. Marginalized groups often face more danger online. They may be watched more. They may be unfairly targeted. Sometimes they are left out of safety tools. This is not fair. Security Analysts must protect all people. They have a duty to be fair and careful. They should stop harmful actions like profiling or spying on certain groups. They need to understand different cultures. They should work with communities to learn what they need. For example, some activist groups have been attacked online. Some poor communities do not get good security. These groups deserve strong protection too (Chattopadhyay et al., 2024).
Application of Social Science in Daily Operations
Security Analysts use social science in many parts of their job. They study how people think about risk. They look at how users behave online. This helps them find weak spots before hackers do. They also work with people who study human behavior. These are social scientists. They help Security Analysts understand why people make certain choices. Security Analysts may also work with policy teams. Together, they make rules that protect users. Good communication is a big part of the job. Security Analysts must explain risks in simple words. They teach people how to stay safe online. They also help write training plans for users. These skills come from social science (Muller & Burrell, 2022).
Conclusion
Social science helps Security Analysts do more than just stop attacks. It helps them build better systems for everyone. They learn to be fair and careful. They learn to protect all people. They think about how security affects real lives. They include all voices, not just the loudest ones. This is important for justice and safety. Without social science, a Security Analyst’s work is incomplete. It is not a side topic. It is a key part of the job (Carner Derron, 2021; Chattopadhyay et al., 2024). Cybersecurity training should include lessons from many fields. It should not just focus on code. It should also teach about people. This will make the internet safer for all.
Reference
Muller, S. R., & Burrell, D. N. (2022). Social Cybersecurity and Human Behavior. International Journal of Hyperconnectivity and the Internet of Things, 6(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijhiot.305228
Chattopadhyay, A., Carvajal, R., Chaganti, V., & Venkatagiri, S. (2024). Where are Marginalized Communities in Cybersecurity Research? | USENIX. Usenix.org. https://www.usenix.org/conference/soups2024/presentation/chattopadhyay-poster
Carner Derron. (2021, September 9). Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Cybersecurity. The Aspen Institute. https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/dei-in-cybersecurity/