Psychology plays a vital role in effective cybersecurity, according to experts in the field. Juliet Okafor, CEO and founder of RevolutionCyber, believes that in order to convince people that cybersecurity is part of their job, a psychological approach is necessary. She draws on marketing and sales principles, using personas to tailor cybersecurity messages to individuals based on factors such as their roles, motivations, and preferred learning methods. This personalization leads to better awareness and risk mitigation efforts.
Psychologists have also identified behavioral patterns that make people more susceptible to cyber threats. For example, research has shown that people are more prone to clicking on phishing emails when they are rushed, such as before lunch or at the end of the workday. Okafor suggests that security teams can use this knowledge to their advantage by adjusting security information and event management platforms to create additional barriers during these vulnerable times.
Psychology is not only relevant in cybersecurity awareness campaigns but also in training security teams. Okafor has used competitions to train teams, leveraging their competitive nature and desire to be seen as trusted stewards. By understanding how people work, Okafor believes that policies can be created to ensure the right controls are in place.
Christie Wilson, cyber resilience manager with UniSuper, has also integrated psychology into her organization’s security program. By analyzing and predicting human interactions, motivations, and vulnerabilities, Wilson has developed awareness training that resonates with employees and helps them understand the importance of cybersecurity.
Contrary to the common belief that people are the weakest link in cybersecurity, Wilson argues that they are the primary attack vector. Recognizing this, Wilson focuses on behavior change, understanding that motivation, ability, and prompts are necessary to create a cyber-resilient organization.
While bringing a cyberpsychologist on board to incorporate psychology into security programs is ideal, it is often impractical due to limited availability and budget constraints. However, interest in the intersection between psychology and cybersecurity is growing. Institutions like the SANS Institute are offering courses on this topic and organizing events to discuss the role of psychology in cybersecurity.
To effectively incorporate psychology into security programs, experts recommend enhancing communication between security teams and employees. Understanding employees’ struggles with security controls and addressing their motivations can lead to more effective security measures. Empowering employees with tools and clearly articulating their impact on security can also enhance their engagement and compliance. Collaboration with marketing teams can provide insights into behavior-influencing techniques and enable personalized security awareness and training.
Furthermore, addressing cultural factors that contribute to a “psychological hot state,” such as an overly stressful or anxiety-inducing work environment, is essential. Lance Spitzner, director of research and community at the SANS Institute, advises CISOs to apply psychological and behavioral sciences to affect not only individual behaviors but also organizational behavior as a whole. By creating an environment in which employees exhibit strong security behaviors, organizations can enhance their overall cybersecurity posture.
In conclusion, psychology-aware security is foundational for effective cybersecurity. Understanding human behavior, motivations, and vulnerabilities allows organizations to tailor their approach and engage employees in a more personalized and impactful manner. By incorporating psychology into security programs, organizations can create a culture of security awareness and resilience that ultimately strengthens their overall cybersecurity defenses.