Career Paper
Cybercrime Through a Social Lens
By Justin White
CYSE 201S
Professor Yalpi
April 16th. 2025
Introduction
When most people think of cybersecurity, they imagine someone behind a screen thwarting hackers in real time. However, the reality is more complex particularly for cybercrime analysts. These professionals are not only concerned with technology; they also investigate the underlying causes of cybercrime. Understanding behavior, motivations, and social patterns is a critical component of what they do. Indeed, their work frequently relies on both social science and technology tools. This study investigates how cybercrime analysts use psychology, criminology, and sociology in their daily work and why their position is critical, particularly when it comes to defending vulnerable groups online.
Role of a Cybercrime Analyst
Cybercrime analysts are digital investigators who monitor networks, identify dangers, and respond to intrusions. Their daily responsibilities frequently involve “analyzing reports generated by security information and event management (SIEM) systems,” (Jelee, 2022) reviewing security alerts, and creating reports for internal teams or law enforcement (“A Day in the Life of a Security Analyst”). They work behind the scenes to avoid breaches and, when necessary, respond rapidly to active threats.
Beyond technical capabilities, cybercrime analysts must have a thorough understanding of human behavior. Their work frequently includes investigating threat actors, analyzing attack trends, and forecasting future dangers. Because “no two days are exactly the same,” (Jelee, 2022) analysts must be adaptable and constantly learn about new technology and the individuals who use them, whether legitimately or illegally. This combination of technical analysis and behavioral insight makes their role critical in today’s modern day.
Social Sciences within Cybercrime Analyst
Social science is essential in the work of cybercrime analysts because understanding human behavior is as important as understanding technology. According to Dennis V. Blanco, “cybercrime needed to be analyzed and investigated from a social science versus technological perspective,” (Blanco, n.d.) emphasizing that hackers’ intentions are frequently driven by complicated social issues. Furthermore, Suleman Ibrahim’s article backs this up by providing a taxonomy that divides cybercrime reasons into socioeconomic, psychological, and geopolitical categories, demonstrating how diverse settings impact criminal behavior. Analysts also employ criminological ideas such as neutralization theory or cognitive theory to explain how offenders rationalize their conduct, as well as psychology and sociology to profile and predict questionable behavior. This understanding enables analysts to address not only the technical aspects of cybercrime, but also its social consequences, especially when marginalized groups, such as the elderly or low-income individuals, that are often targeted. By blending social science and technology, cybercrime analysts can create more effective tactics for preventing and responding to digital threats.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cybercrime analysts work at the front of technology and human behavior. While their employment is based on digital protection, their success is greatly influenced by social science insights. Psychology, criminology, and sociology provide these professionals with the resources they need to understand not only how, but also why cyberattacks occur. As cybercrime evolves, particularly in methods that target vulnerable or marginalized communities, the analyst’s job becomes increasingly important. Cybercrime analysts contribute to a safer and more socially conscious digital world by combining technical expertise with a thorough understanding of human motivation.
Work Cited
Blanco, D. (n.d.). Cybercrime Prevention: a social Science and Technological perspective dichotomy paradigm? https://www.academia.edu/10374143/Cybercrime_Prevention_A_Social_Science_and_Technological_Perspective_Dichotomy_Paradigm
Jelee. (2022, December 8). A day in the life of a security analyst | CyberDegrees.org. Explore Cybersecurity Degrees and Careers | CyberDegrees.org. https://www.cyberdegrees.org/careers/security-analyst/day-in-the-life/
Lazarus, S. I. B. R. a. H. I. M. (n.d.). Social and contextual taxonomy of cybercrime. https://www.academia.edu/30413631/Social_and_Contextual_Taxonomy_of_Cybercrime