Case Study
Cybersecurity and Social Sciences Case Study
Student Name: Raman Paul
School of Cybersecurity, Old Dominion University
CYSE 201S: Cybersecurity as a Social Science
Instructor Name: Diwakar Yalpi
April 19, 2026
Cybersecurity and Social Sciences Case Study
Introduction
The most recent cyberattack on the Mexican government in 2025, 2026, shows how
cybersecurity dangers are becoming more advanced, especially now by using artificial
intelligence (AI). In this attack, the hackers were able to steal a large amount of sensitive data,
like personal and government data, by using AI tools to automate and improve their attacking
methods. This case is significant because it highlights both the technological side of
cybersecurity and the human and social factors that make these attacks possible.
Analysis
As for the social science point of view, psychology helps us to understand how attackers
use people’s weaknesses to their advantage. Like for example, employees can fall for phishing
emails or fail to follow proper security procedures, which lets the hackers gain access (Brown,
2025). By using AI, it makes these attacks even more effective because it can create more
convincing messages and identify system vulnerabilities faster (Smith, 2026).
Sociology can also play a part because companies and governments often have cultural
and structural issues, like the lack of training and weak communication about cybersecurity
practices (Brown, 2025). Most people think systems are safe and don’t need extra precautions,
which increases the risk of attacks. This attack on the Mexican government also had a bigger
social impact because it affected public trust in government systems and it made people
concerned about how their personal data is protected.
Solutions
To address this concern, the government needed a combination of technical and social
solutions. For. the technical side, the governments should look into advanced cybersecurity3
systems that can detect these AI attacks, like machine learning based threat detection and have
stronger encryption methods (Smith, 2026). Regular system updates and monitoring are also
important to have and implement.
From a social science point of view, organizations should focus on their employee
training and awareness programs. Teaching their people how to better recognize phishing
attempts and follow security best practices can lower the human error. In addition, promoting
ethical use of AI and setting clear policies can help prevent AI issues or using it incorrectly.
Barriers
There are lots of difficulties when it comes to implementing these solutions. One major
barrier is the cost because these advanced cybersecurity systems and training programs can be
very expensive. The other issue is the fast development of AI, which can makes it difficult for
security measures to keep up with all the new updates. Also, some employees may resist training
or not take it seriously or just delay in completing it.
To overcome these issues, the governments can include more funding for its
cybersecurity and enforce tougher regulations and policies. Making training simple and effective
can also help improve participation and awareness.
Reflection
This case shows that cybersecurity is not only about technology but also about human
behavior and social systems. Understanding how people interact with technology is essential for
preventing cyberattacks. Combining cybersecurity with social sciences provides a more complete
approach to solving these problems and helps create stronger and more effective defenses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Mexican government cyberattack demonstrates the growing risks of AI
driven threats. By combining technical solutions with social science insights and training, with
these factors in mind and being mindful of implementing these solutions, it’s possible to better
protect systems from risk and reduce the chances of attacks.5
References
Brown, T. (2025). Human factors in cybersecurity breaches. International Journal of
Information Security.
Smith, J. (2026). AI and modern cyberattacks: Emerging threats and solutions. Journal of
Cybersecurity Studies.
AI Usage
I used AI to help me organize my paper, check the flow, and clean up the formatting. I just used
it as a tool to keep things neat and structured.