Career Paper
CYSE 201s
Adam Tucker
29NOV2023
The Crucial Role of Social Science in Cybersecurity Analysis
In the ever-changing field of cybersecurity, technical expertise alone is insufficient to
reduce the diverse and sophisticated threats that organizations face. Cybersecurity analysts
increasingly depend on social science research and principles to understand the human aspect of
cyber threats, develop effective strategies, implement them, and foster a security-aware
organizational culture. This paper explores the integral role of social science in the work of
cybersecurity analysts.
One key aspect of cybersecurity analysis is considering and evaluating human behavior,
both in terms of potential cybercriminals and the users within an organization. Social science
principles aid the analysts gain essential insights into this portion of their job. Gabriel Weimann
emphasizes the importance of social science research principles in the profiling of cybercriminal
behavior. By studying the motives and tactics employed by cyber criminals, cybersecurity
analysts can develop a clearer understanding of their adversaries. It can help answer questions
like, “What motivates them?” or “What drives their behavior?” Weimann’s work highlights how
psychological insights are vital for predicting cyber threats effectively (Weimann, 2015).
Furthermore, we can show that social science principles, especially those related to the
interaction between human and computers, contribute in the design of security protocols and
training programs. This integration aligns security practices with a users’ cognitive functions and
behavioral patterns, ultimately reducing the risk of human error (Salisbury et al, 2001). This can
have a drastically positive effect because by reducing the risk of human error, we are combating
the number one cybersecurity vulnerability within each organization.
Another essential component of cybersecurity analysis is risk assessment. This involves
evaluating the likelihood and impact of cyber threats, who will be affected, and is that risk worth
the effort put into preventing it from happening. Social science research is essential in making
these assessments. Paul Slovic’s research emphasizes the importance of risk perception in
decision-making. His research suggests that people’s perception of risk is influenced by factors
beyond statistics and include emotions, cognitive biases, and social dynamics. Cybersecurity
analysts leverage these insights to design more effective risk communication strategies and to
understand how individuals perceive and respond to cyber threats (Slovic, 1987).
User-centered security refers to security policies, practices, or methods that focus on
usability as its primary goal. It does not mean that security comes second. It is simply a practice
meant to ensure the analyst can use the tools they have effectively. Social science principles are
pivotal in the synchronization between the two: security and usability. The Cranor research team
highlightsthe importance of usability in cybersecurity operations and practices in their book, The
Cost of Reading Privacy Policies. They argue that usability testing, a research method utilizing
social science principles, helps analysts assess the “ease-of-use” of security tools and systems.
Through usability tests and user surveys, analysts gather valuable feedback to improve security
interfaces and applications which ultimately reduces the risk of user errors and enhances the
overall security of an organization or website (Cranor et al, 2008). In the words of Steve Krug,
“Usability is about people and how they understand and use things, not technology”.
In conclusion, cybersecurity analysts rely on social science research principles. They
enable them to understand human behavior, assess risks, and design user-based security
measures. Weimann’s research illustrates the value of social science in profiling cybercriminal
behavior, while Salisbury, Miller, and the Pearson’s highlight the importance of user behavior
analysis. Slovic’s work sheds light on risk perception and its impact on decision-making, while
Cranor’s team emphasizes usability testing in user-centered security.
As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, the incorporation of social science research
principles will remain crucial in addressing the dynamic array of cyber threats. By harnessing
these insights, cybersecurity professionals can better protect organizations and individuals in an
increasingly interconnected and digitally reliant world.
Work Cited
Weimann, Gabriel. 2015. “Terrorism in Cyberspace: The Next Generation”. Woodrow Wilson
Press Center.
Salisbury, W.D., Pearson, R.A., Pearson, A.W. and Miller, D.W. (2001), “Perceived security and
World Wide Web purchase intention”, Industrial Management & Data Systems, Vol. 101
No. 4, pp. 165-177.
https://doi.org/10.1108/02635570110390071
Slovic, Paul. 1987. “Perception of Risk”. Science, 236(4799), 280-285.
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.3563507
Cranor, Lorrie Faith, Simson Garfinkel, and Mark S. Perlman. 2008. “The Cost of Reading
Privacy Policies.” I/S: A Journal of Law and Policy for the Information Society 4, no. 3,
540-568. https://lorrie.cranor.org/pubs/readingPolicyCost-authorDraft.pdf
