Career paper

Marshall Shepherd

Old Dominion University

CYSE 201

Diwakar Yalpi

11/20/2024

Introduction

Cybersecurity analysis is the art of examining and protecting individuals, businesses, and governments against cyberattacks in a way that combines technology and an understanding of human psychology. Cybersecurity professionals study cybercriminal behavior, analyze patterns, and design ways to prevent the occurrence of cybercrimes (Li & Liu, 2021). In this paper, there is an application of social science research and concepts such as relativism, empiricism, skepticism, ethical neutrality, and human psychology as used by analysts, as well as implications of the role of marginalized groups.

Dependence on Social Science Principles

Relativism and Neutrality

Relativism is viewed as a means of understanding the motives and actions of cyber criminals in the light of various cultural and social contexts. The interpretation of cybercriminal behavior from different backgrounds should be viewed with relativism and without ethnocentric biases by cybercrime analysts (Teira, 2021). Their work should promote ethical neutrality to keep their analysis impartial and objective.

Empiricism and Skepticism

Cybercrime analysis techniques are based on empiricism. Data-driven research on phishing, ransomware attacks, and identity theft cases helps professionals in this field. To give an insight, they utilize such statistical tools to track malware proliferation trends and other social engineering schemes. Skepticism makes sure these analysts do not come to conclusions based on assumptions but instead do so with evidence (Abu-Shaqra, 2020). The analytical rigor helps to reduce potential confirmation biases and improve the accuracy of threat assessments.

Human Factors and Psychology

Human factors and psychology form the basic studies that help understand the nature of cyber-criminal behavior and how they identify and use the vulnerabilities in victims. Psychological theories are applied to understand the reasons behind people committing crimes such as administrative, hacking, and fraud, among others (Sutter, 2020). The analysts examine cognitive biases and emotional triggers that make scammers more successful in scaring users.

Application of Social Science Research Methods

Cybercrime analysts gather data on cyber threats using social science research methods like surveys, case studies, and ethnographic studies. User behavior may be measured in surveys or case studies that provide in-depth analysis of specific cybercrime incidents. In addition to informing technical strategies, these methods support the design of educational campaigns to increase public awareness (Fatima, 2024). Parsimony, the principle of simplicity, is also relevant in this case. Data that is complex must be distilled by analysts to acquire actionable insights (Facchinetti et al., 2024). For instance, these analysts break down threat patterns into key indicators of compromise, which makes it easier for the technical teams to act upon.

Marginalized Groups and Society

Low-income populations and non-native speakers are disproportionately victimized by cybercrime since they are typically unable to access cybersecurity resources or education. These social dynamics must be considered by analysts when designing interventions. For instance, the phishing campaigns go after individuals with limited digital literacy. Furthermore, their work must be guided by ethics to make sure that the solutions will not alienate vulnerable groups further (Al Salek, 2024). For instance, predictive tools developed from behavioral data are supposed to avoid reinforcing stereotypes and systemic bias.

Conclusion

Cybercrime analysts present how cybersecurity careers encompass social science research and principles. Through relativism, empiricism, skepticism, ethical neutrality, and incorporating psychological insights, analysts are able to combat cyber threats while keeping to social responsibility. They also collect meaningful data using social science methods, and use it to develop practical solutions that also take into account societal inequalities. At the end of the day, the addition of social science to cybersecurity only increases the power this field has to protect multiple populations and work toward a safer digital world.

References

Abu-Shaqra, B. (2020). Technoethics and sensemaking: risk assessment and knowledge management of ethical hacking in a sociotechnical society (Doctoral dissertation, Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa). http://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-24626

Al Salek, A. (2024). Exploring cybercrime victimization among Swedish adults: A cross-sectional study on prevalence and risk factors. https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1866613/FULLTEXT01.pdf

Facchinetti, S., Osmetti, S. A., & Tarantola, C. (2024). A statistical approach for assessing cyber risk via ordered response models. Risk Analysis, 44(2), 425-438. https://doi.org/10.1080/0960085X.2023.2208380

Fatima, F. (2024). A Qualitative Exploratory Study of Cyber Threats to Financial Organizations (Doctoral dissertation, University of the Cumberlands). https://www.proquest.com/openview/9a02a80bb550063ef8fcd56e92a60198/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

Li, Y., & Liu, Q. (2021). A comprehensive review study of cyber-attacks and cyber security; Emerging trends and recent developments. Energy Reports, 7, 8176-8186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2021.08.126

Sutter, O. W. (2020). The Cyber Profile: Determining Human Behavior through Cyber-Actions. Capitol Technology University.

Teira, D. (2021). On the limits of cultural relativism as a debiasing method. Philosophy of Science, 88(5), 1079-1089. https://doi.org/10.1086/714853