Cybersecurity when working from home during COVID-19: considering the human factors

Mekhi Booker

Old Dominion University

CYSE201S

February 14th, 2024

Introduction

The COVID-19 epidemic has led to a significant change in the workforce toward remote work from home, with individuals and organizations depending more and more on the use of digital platforms for communication and teamwork. This shift has not only completely changed the way that people operate, but it has also highlighted the difficulties that come with working remotely. Monica T Whitty, Nour Moustafa, and Marthie Grobler published a groundbreaking study titled Cybersecurity when working from home during COVID-19: considering the human factors

which explores the complex interaction between cybersecurity techniques and human behavior in remote work, in response to this changing scenario. This study, which is based on social science concepts, explores the attitudes, behaviors, and vulnerabilities of remote workers intending to offer empirical insights into the human elements influencing cybersecurity procedures during the pandemic.

Relating to Social Science Principles

The research study Cybersecurity when working from home during COVID-19: considering the human factors, explores the intricate connection between cybersecurity procedures and human behavior in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic’s widespread adoption of remote work. Utilizing an extensive analysis based on social science principles, the study explores the attitudes and behaviors of remote workers concerning cybersecurity precautions. In the context of remote work environments, the study highlights the urgent need to comprehend how individual behaviors impact cybersecurity risks. This emphasizes the interdisciplinary aspect of tackling modern digital concerns.

Research Questions/Hypotheses

To achieve these goals, the study develops research questions that try to ascertain how remote work affects cybersecurity procedures and what causes increased vulnerability in home office environments. Whitty, M. T., Moustafa, N., & Grobler, M. (2024) examined the lives of Australian employees who moved to work from home during COVID-19. “We found that psychological (e.g. stress, anxiety, confidence, motivation) and sociological (e.g. sharing physical spaces, digital divide) factors impacted employees likelihood and ability to engage in effective cybersecurity practices.” Qualitative interviews provide a thorough examination of individuals’ perspectives and experiences, illuminating complex cybersecurity issues and behaviors. Quantitative surveys, on the other hand, offer important information about the prevalence of cybersecurity practices and the relationship between many variables, including demographics, and cybersecurity practices. 

Research Methods

By employing different and unique methods of data analysis, such as thematic examination of qualitative data and statistical evaluation of quantitative data, the research shows the different perspectives on the human elements influencing cybersecurity protocols on remote work. Furthermore, the study recognizes how different marginalized groups are affected differently by remote work and cybersecurity risks, highlighting the significance of inclusive cybersecurity policies that take into account the wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds of remote workers. By drawing attention to these issues, the study promotes more inclusive and equitable cybersecurity frameworks, which help marginalized communities overcome their obstacles. 

Societal Contributions

Regarding contributions to society, Whitty, M. T., Moustafa, N., & Grobler, M. findings from 2024 have important ramifications for decision-makers, institutions, and individuals who want to improve cybersecurity resilience in remote work settings. “Organizations should think about approaches that consider the employees’ psychological state before training (and perhaps find ways to reduce anxiety), helping employees redesign their home workspaces to ensure privacy and concentration, and updating employees’ digital devices”.The study’s advocacy of a comprehensive strategy that incorporates human-centric viewpoints into cybersecurity tactics aids in the creation of more inclusive and successful countermeasures to cyber dangers. In the end, the study emphasizes how important human factors are in determining cybersecurity practices, providing insightful information to guide future practice and legislation in the always-changing fields of digital security and remote work.

Conclusion

To sum up, the research made by Whitty, M. T., Moustafa, N., & Grobler, M. (2024) “We argue organizations should consider how they might enable and improve the working life of end users to reach a more optimal state to learning effective cybersecurity practices.” Understanding this has made a substantial contribution to our comprehension of cybersecurity procedures concerning remote work amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The research highlights the significance of incorporating human-centric viewpoints into cybersecurity frameworks by clarifying the intricate relationship between human behavior and cybersecurity risks. By using a strict mixed-methods methodology, the study provides insightful information about the contributions, difficulties, and behavioral patterns of remote workers, which helps to shape the creation of cybersecurity measures that are more inclusive and successful. Given that working remotely is still a common practice, particularly in the wake of the epidemic, the study’s conclusions have significant ramifications for companies, lawmakers, and individuals attempting to manage the changing terrain of remote work while preserving digital security.

References

Clutch GK. (2019). Improving employees’ cyber security awareness. Comput Fraud Secur, 2019(8), 11–3. https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.1016/S1361-3723%2819%2930085-5 

International Labour Organization. (2020). ILO Monitor: COVID-19 and the World of Work (2nd ed.). Switzerland. http://oit.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—dgreports/—dcomm/documents/briefingnote/wcms_743146.pdf 

Whitty, M. T., Moustafa, N., & Grobler, M. (2024). Cybersecurity when working from home during COVID-19: considering the human factors. Journal of Cybersecurity, 10(1), tyae001. https://doi.org/10.1093/cybsec/tyae001