Cybersecurity and the Social Sciences
This course addresses the social, political, legal, criminological, and economic dimensions of cybersecurity through a social science framework. Students are introduced to a human-factors approach to understanding cybersecurity threats.
Attention is given to the social factors that contribute to cyber incidents and to the political and legal mechanisms developed to address behaviors that create cybersecurity risks and incidents.
The course also explores how cybersecurity is studied by researchers in psychology, sociology, criminology, political science, economics, international studies, and other social science disciplines.
Course Learning Objectives:
- Compare how psychological, sociological, criminological, political, economic, and legal theories explain cybersecurity.
- Identify strengths and weaknesses of these theories in understanding human behavior and cybersecurity.
- Define important cybersecurity and cybercrime concepts.
- Explain how cybersecurity professionals apply multidisciplinary concepts in their careers.
- Understand how research questions and hypotheses are developed.
- Describe how data are collected and analyzed using social science research methods.
- Recognize cybersecurity challenges experienced by marginalized groups.
- Explain how social science research contributes to understanding cybersecurity at the societal level.
Course Material and Reflections
This section highlights my coursework and what I have learned about the relationship between cybersecurity and the social sciences.
Psychology and Social Engineering
Psychology plays an important role in cybersecurity because human behavior and cognitive biases can influence security decisions. For this assignment, I created a phishing awareness meme called “Think Before You Click” to demonstrate how affect bias can influence a person’s response to social engineering tactics, such as phishing attempts. This assignment helped me understand how psychological factors can increase cybersecurity risks and why security awareness is important.
Artificial Intelligence and Society
Artificial intelligence is changing how people interact with technology and creating new opportunities and challenges for cybersecurity. For this assignment, I created an AI-generated image designed to manipulate people into scanning a fraudulent QR code that would redirect them to a phishing website where their personal information could be stolen. This type of attack is known as QR code phishing, or quishing, and uses social engineering tactics to exploit people’s trust and curiosity. This assignment helped me understand how AI-generated content can be used for psychological manipulation and how human factors can contribute to cybersecurity risks.
Cybercriminology and Criminal Justice
Cybercriminology examines cybercrime through criminological theories and social science research to better understand why individuals commit cybercrimes and how people become victims. Throughout this course, I learned how psychological, social, and environmental factors can influence cybercriminal behavior. Digital forensics and criminal justice play important roles in investigating cybercrimes, collecting digital evidence, and holding offenders accountable. Understanding these connections can help cybersecurity professionals develop better prevention strategies and protect individuals, organizations, and society.
Coursework and Research
Article Review 1: Juvenile Hacking
For this assignment, I reviewed a research article examining the factors that contribute to juvenile hacking. The study explored how individual behaviors, social influences, and environmental factors can increase the risk of cyber offending. This assignment helped me understand how criminological theories and social science research can be used to identify patterns of cybercriminal behavior and develop prevention strategies.
Article Review 2: Understanding Human Behavior in Phishing Prevention
For this assignment, I reviewed a research article examining how people’s beliefs, perceptions, and experiences influence their cybersecurity behaviors. The researchers used the Health Belief Model (HBM) to understand why some individuals take preventive measures against phishing attacks while others do not. This assignment helped me understand how psychological theories and social science research can contribute to improving cybersecurity awareness and phishing prevention strategies.
Cybersecurity Career Professional Paper: Cybersecurity Curriculum Development
For this assignment, I researched the role of cybersecurity curriculum development professionals and how social science research contributes to cybersecurity education and awareness. This career requires an understanding of human behavior, psychology, and social influences to develop effective cybersecurity training programs. This assignment helped me understand how social science principles can be applied in cybersecurity careers to educate individuals, improve security practices, and reduce cybersecurity risks.