Role of Social Science in Incident Responders and Forensics Analysts

Introduction

The responsibilities and roles of Cyber Incident Responders and Forensic Analysts are paramount to protecting organizations or individuals from cyber threats. These professionals accomplish this mission by identifying, preventing, and capturing bad actors immediately after an attack or foreshadowing attacks. The environment is not always behind the computer; for example, FBI field work often puts these professionals in high-risk environments to ensure they accomplish their mission.  While this field of work feels technical, it is woven deeply with social science principles, which are used to understand attacker behavior and the societal impact of cybercrime and carefully navigate the inevitable ethical dilemmas of the cyber field. We will explore how Cyber Incident Responders intertwine with social science principles, the profession’s responsibilities, concepts related to social science and Incident Responders, and the challenges marginalized groups face and their interaction with societal dynamics.

Social Science Principles

One of the objectives and challenges of a Cyber Defense Incident Responder is anticipating and countering cyber criminals’ behavior. Here, we can use Social Science principles, specifically psychology and sociology, to set the foundation for understanding attacker behavior and how they may exploit victims’ vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals often utilize social engineering campaigns as an avenue to exploit the victims (Carley, 2020). Incident Responders frequently employ social network analysis, which helps trace misinformation and assists with finding key actors such as bots or trolls (Carley, 2020). This demonstrates how social science insights are integral to understanding and combating cybercrime. 

Cybercrime often extends borders, requiring responders to understand and work together with diverse cultures and jurisdictions. Understanding sociological concepts such as “communities of shared fate” assists in understanding cross-border investigations. For example, international treaties like the Council of Europe Cybercrime Convention bring together cooperation but require cultural and legal sensitivity to ensure effective enforcement (Broadhurst, 2006). Cultural awareness is essential in a multifaceted job like Cyber Incident Response, and it is critical when responding to incidents affecting marginalized groups, such as communities with limited access to cybersecurity resources.

Marginalized Groups and Connection to Society 

Marginalized groups are often on the frontlines of cybercrime, bringing many challenges, victims of disinformation campaigns, identity theft, or exploitation. Incident responders must identify these patterns and advocate for protective measures prioritizing equity and overall cyber safety, as outlined explicitly in the FBI’s Cyber Incident Reporting message, which states that they are prepared to investigate and mitigate the incident as its primary goal (FBI, n.d.).  One challenge is that the “digital divide” creates differences in cybersecurity availability between developed and developing regions. Countries with limited technological infrastructure serve as safe havens for cybercriminals and high-risk areas for breaches (Broadhurst, 2006).  For example, during a ransomware attack on a hospital, low-income patients may suffer disproportionately due to service delays or stolen sensitive information. This still exists today. Although technology has advanced tenfold, it has only widened the gap between the regions with limited technology, and responders need to bridge that gap so marginalized groups are protected. Responders face another ethical challenge in balancing transparency and the privacy rights of individuals during breaches. They must gather evidence without misusing sensitive data, mainly when dealing with marginalized populations, who may distrust institutions (Broadhurst, 2006).  A third challenge is that Cybercriminals and adversaries use targeted disinformation to destabilize vulnerable communities. Responders must identify and counter these campaigns, using tools like social network analysis to map how false narratives spread through digital platforms (Carley, 2020). These challenges show how Cyber Defense Incident Responders must tackle cyber threats and societal issues to protect marginalized communities and promote long-term digital safety, connecting both areas independently to Cybersecurity. 

Concepts

The Cyber Defense Incident Responders take advantage of multiple different concepts found in sociology. One understands Maslow’s hierarchy of needs because it provides for basic needs such as security and safety. As detailed throughout the paper, the profession plays a crucial role in sustaining safety and relieving the victims who may have been affected by cybercrime. The next concept the profession can use is an understanding of Neutralization Theory, which suggests that criminals rationalize their behavior or actions by neutralizing the moral effect of their actions, such as denying harm or responsibility. Responders can use this by understanding how attackers change their view of guilt; responders can tailor messaging to discourage such behavior, such as public campaigns emphasizing the actual loss of cybercrime. A third concept that can be beneficial is understanding the psychological principle of trust. Trust plays a role in how victims interact with potential cyber threats. Responders can use this concept during incident investigations to know how attackers gained access and prevent similar attacks in the future. The last concept I will discuss is victim precipitation. Victim precipitation refers to understanding the role of victims in their victimization. Responders can study patterns of victim precipitation and implement systems, procedures, and training that can help minimize risk. 

Conclusion 

Cyber Defense Incident Responders and Forensic Analysts protect people and organizations from cyber threats. They combine technical skills with knowledge of social science. By understanding human behavior through sociology and psychology, they can better recognize how attackers think and identify societal weaknesses.  These professionals also face ethical challenges, especially when dealing with incidents that involve marginalized groups. Concepts like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Neutralization Theory, trust, and victim precipitation help them anticipate threats, support victims, and create prevention strategies. Connecting technology with social understanding ensures that cybersecurity measures are effective, fair, and flexible in a fast-changing digital world.

References

Broadhurst, R. (2006). Developments in the global law enforcement of cyber-crime. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 29(3), 408-433. https://www-emerald-com.proxy.lib.odu.edu/insight/content/doi/10.1108/13639510610684674/full/pdf

Carley, K. M. (2020). Social cybersecurity: an emerging science. Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, 26, 365-381. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10588-020-09322-9

FBI. (n.d.). Cyber Incident Reporting — FBI. FBI. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/cyber-incident-reporting-united-message-final.pdf/view