Career Paper

                        In the evolving field of cybersecurity, the role of government agencies is critical in safeguarding national security, infrastructure, and sensitive information. Government cybersecurity agencies are responsible for the digital defense against sophisticated threats. Government cybersecurity professionals are tasked with more than just protecting data; They are the overseers of national security. This paper will analyze the relationship between Cybersecurity careers in government agencies and social science research. By discussing the specific examples in the perspective of social science, we are able to anticipate and respond to cyber threats efficiently.

            Social science research provides critical insights into the psychology of cyber threats. Cybersecurity professionals in government agencies are increasingly turning to social science research to enhance their understanding of the human factors influencing cybersecurity. A thorough understanding of social science and cybersecurity interdependence is predominant for professionals safeguarding national interests. By bringing together these insights from psychology, political science, and sociology; government experts are able to operate the complexities of cyberspace with a refined approach that acknowledges the relationship between human behavior and technology. Political science influences the formulation of government policies. This process involves societal needs and responding to political dynamics. Government agencies are dependent on political decisions that shape policies. These policies must have collaboration between agencies and follow the same path as government objectives. The need for powerful cybersecurity measures with the protection of citizens’ privacy and civil liberties is a complex challenge. Cybersecurity measures often involve the collection and analysis of large amounts of data. Transparency in government actions relating to cyber security is essential for gaining public trust. However, too much transparency could also create more challenges for security. Government agencies should operate the tension between monitoring and protecting against potential threats and respecting citizens’ rights.  This perspective not only strengthens defensive mechanisms but also makes them very adaptive and empowers protective strategies in the evolving field of cybersecurity. Heidi L. Huhn stated in an article that “The national security implications of protecting the United States’ critical infrastructure are a challenge because of the difficulty to hire and retain a talented selection of cybersecurity skilled employees to protect critical infrastructure.” (Huhn, 2020, p.3) One major challenge in this field is the difficulty in recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce. The scarcity of talented cybersecurity professionals poses a major complication to the effective protection of infrastructure assets. Adriane C. Estes stated in an article that “The workforce development lifecycle begins with identifying the needs of the workforce, and its remainder is devoted to training and employee retention. Regardless of their existing skill set.” (Estes, 2018, p.6)

            In an article published by Kimberly Amadeo, she stated that “Laissez-faire economics is a theory that restricts government intervention in the economy. It holds that the economy is strongest when all the government does is protect individual rights.” (Amadeo, 2021) Government agencies would have a limited role. This theory emphasizes allowing the market to determine its own price and minimizing the need for regulatory government oversight. In a Laissez-faire system, government agencies are responsible for market regulation and oversight would be more of a hands-off approach. The role that the government plays will be limited to ensuring contracts are enforced and preventing fraud; other than controlling market supply prices. Government agencies would focus more on ensuring protection and enforcement to maintain the rule of law and disputes, rather than engaging in economic planning. Bug bounty programs and government agencies can be related in the context of cybersecurity and information assurance. Government agencies handle sensitive data and infrastructure that are attractive to hackers. Bug bounty can help identify and fix vulnerabilities before hackers can exploit them. Bug bounty programs also allow government agencies to recruit the expertise of security researchers who may have diverse skills and perspectives. This type of recruitment could help identify vulnerabilities that current researchers may have overlooked. Government agencies often have a division of labor where employees have specific roles and responsibilities. Structural functionalisms suggest that this contributes to the efficiency of an organization. Careers within government agencies may involve individuals specializing in areas such as policy analysis, program management, and legal affairs. Careers within government agencies contribute to the maintenance of societal stability and the adaptation to changing circumstances with the principles of structural functionalism. Conflict theory highlights the unequal distribution of power in society. In government agencies, power dynamics are in hierarchical structures. Careers within government agencies may involve individuals in positions of authority that hold influence over policy decisions and resource allocation. Stereotypes and biases about the capabilities and interests of certain groups can influence hiring decisions. For example, women may face stereotypes suggesting they are less suited for technical roles. Marginalized groups may face hardship in accessing quality education and training programs that are critical for entering in the field of cybersecurity. Lack of resources and limited exposure to technology can interrupt individuals from pursuing cybersecurity careers. Networking is also critical for career advancement in this field, but marginalized groups may face challenges in building professional networks due to exclusionary practices and lack of representation in leadership roles.

            The dynamic interactions between society and government agencies are complex and reflect the complicated of governance and societal needs. Public opinions play a critical role in government policies. Government agencies need to have diverse perspectives within society. They must consider the interests of all groups and balance demands while formulating policies. The success of all government agencies relies on public trust. Maintaining this trust requires transparency, accountability, and quick responses to public concerns. Issues among government agencies occur when they fail to communicate or deal with issues of corruption. They are usually the ones that people call when they are in need or emergency situations. The response to unpredictable events requires the agency to adapt quickly and make a timely decision.                  

Conclusion

            In conclusion, the field of cybersecurity within government agencies is not only for safeguarding national security but also deeply entwined with issues of public display. The Perspective of social science research adds a valuable view to understanding and addressing factors influencing cybersecurity. As this field continues to endlessly evolve, enforcing these insights from social science will strengthen defensive mechanisms and empower protective strategies.

References

Amadeo, Kimberly. “What Is Laissez-Faire Economic Theory?” The Balance, The Balance, 22 Nov. 2021, www.thebalancemoney.com/laissez-faire-definition-4159781.

Estes, Adriane C. Exploring How the Nice Cybersecurity Workforce Framework Aligns …, 1 Aug. 2018, par.nsf.gov/servlets/purl/10094856.

Huhn, Heidi L. “ProQuest | Better Research, Better Learning, Better Insights.” ProQuest, Nov. 2020, www.proquest.com/openview/7a3ded186a746753683996dcc6b830e3/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=44156.

Article Review 1

Employing Dissonance-Based Interventions to Promote Health Equity Utilizing a Community-
Based Participatory Research Approach and Social Network Analysis
In this article, Sherry bell, Martin Van den Berg, and Renato M. Liboro talks about the
consideration to increase the effectiveness of cognitive dissonance-based interventions also
known as (DBIs). This article highlights the importance of community involvement and
collaborative research in addressing health disparities. They emphasize the importance of
persistence of health disparities in various communities, especially in the marginalized
populations. It also focuses on the understanding of social network and community dynamics.
They acknowledge that interventions must be tailored to the specific needs of each community.
They tell us that “Cognitive dissonance theory and research have captivated the field of social
psychology since the 1950’s” this means, that this theory has been challenged and reinforced
for many years. They argued that the benefits of employing community-based participatory
research can be further enhanced when combined with Social Network Analysis. SNA uses
powerful techniques to identify types of connection that holds specific network together and
identify that network and influential stakeholders. SNA is used to identify stakeholders or
community members for the purpose of increased participation, gaining community trust and
influencing intervention design through strategic leadership. SNA also offers many tools to use
for research and practice in the field of medical and public health situations. In this article, they
highlighted the importance of SNA offering a greater understanding of the complex
relationships that develop within communities and the impacts of such relationship on the
success of intervention dedicated to reducing dissonance and promoting social justice and
health equality. SNA includes the mapping of social networks, influential individuals, and
quantifying strength and direction of social ties. The major contribution of this research article
is the health disparities among marginalized groups. They do this by actively involving these
communities in the research and promoting behavior changes through dissonance-based
interventions. This research approach seeks to reduce health disparities and empower
marginalized population to lead healthier lives. This article relates to our class discussion on
relativism within the social systems. This article also explains the social science of psychology
and sociology. The Dissonance-based intervention is a foundational concept in psychology. The
social contributions of this study are multifaceted. They emphasized the community
empowerment; behavior change strategies and broader social implications related to health
equity and community-based research models.

References
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/12/10/543

Article Review 2

Understanding the Emotional Impact and Coping Strategies of Professionals Working with
Domestic Violence Victims
In this article, Elisabete Ferreira, Ana Sofia Figueiredo, and Anita Santos, highlights the
critical nature of working with domestic violences victims. They also talk about the importance
of the need for ongoing support and self-care strategies for professionals to continue providing
effective assistance to those in need. The research conducted in this article employs qualitative
methods. This included interviews and survey, to gain insights into emotional experiences. This
article emphasizes the critical roles that professionals play in domestic violence victims. The
research utilized a qualitative methodology to gain a more comprehensive and authentic
understanding of the experiences of workers dealing with domestic violence.
Profession such as social workers and counselors are often exposed to emotionally
charged and distressed situations. A major finding from the studies reveal that professionals
often experience empathy and compassion towards domestic violence victims. Individuals who
witness these traumas and suffering of victims can lead to even worse trauma, affecting their
mental and emotional well-being of the profession. This article examines the psychological,
sociological, and practical aspects of critical social issues. Then explores the dynamics between
the professionals and domestic violence victims. Which examines their emotional responses,
such as empathy and frustration, which are topics in psychology. The findings of this article
revealed that complex emotional engagement with victims, can lead to negative consequences
such as exhaustion, intrusive thoughts, sleep disturbances, and difficulties in personal life.
In the study the author tells us that “majority of the participants were women (91.7%),
mostly married (58.3%), with ages ranging from 26 to 60 years and a mean age of
42.6“(Elisabete F, 2023) The data also tell us that most of the women were also married, being
around ages 26 to 60 and a mean age of 42.6. These results were obtained by 24 domestic
violence workers who had been directly assisting domestic violence victims since at least March
2020. This study employed a sociodemographic questionnaire to gather information’s on
participants age, sex, educational, qualifications, and professional experience. The interview
consisted of seven open-ended questions organized into four sections. The first section
explored the challenges and difficulties encountered while intervening with domestic violence
victims. The 2nd focused on the impact of continuous exposure to the suffering and risks faced
by domestic violence victims on the mental health of professionals. The 3rd sets of questions
delved into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated containment measures on the

mental health of participants. Then the last sets of question aimed to gather advice for future
domestic violence victims, with a particular emphasis on maintaining emotional and
psychological well-being.
The study reveals that there are 2 main themes to this. The first one is related to the
psychological impact of intervening with domestic violence victims. The second theme is linked
to strategies for coping with negative effects. This article relates to our class discussion about
sociology and psychology. Understand how professionals cope with the emotional toll of their
work involves psychological process related to stress and resilience. This study focuses on
professionals who provides support to individuals with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities,
and LGBTQ+ individuals. The societal contributions of this study are significant, as they have the
potential to enhance support for domestic violence victims, improve well-beings of
professionals, and ultimately contribute to the prevention and reduction of domestic violence
as whole.

References
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/12/9/525