08/02/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/02/2021 09:31
My colleague Dr. Calvin Nobles, department chair and associate professor of information and management at the Illinois Tech College of Computing, defines human factors engineering as 'a scientific approach to improve system design to optimize human behavior and performance.'
Human threats to cybersecurity require human solutions, and human factors engineers are experts in applying the science of human performance and cognition to complex work environments. Expertise in human factors, and educating leadership about human factors, can lead to a more holistic security strategy that is better able to respond to both internal and external threats.
Recently, Calvin and I discussed human factor security strategies in a fireside chat. We believe cybersecurity moved beyond technology a long time ago. As organizations increasingly depend on one another for critical goods and services, understanding the impact of humans within these complex systems is critical for improving resiliency and security. Our discussion centered on four key considerations:
Integrating human factors into security systems and processes is critical:
Cybersecurity systems are increasingly complex
Under-education about human factors is a pressing issue in security
Human factor engineers work to create concrete, science-based systems
No matter how far technology advances, it will never be able to replace the human element of security. With the expansion of remote workforces as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, security relies on even more interrelated systems than ever before. To ensure that these systems are running smoothly, we have to move beyond technology-focused strategies and solutions, and take a more scientific and serious approach to integrating behavioral sciences into our systems.
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