Human Factor 1
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School
East Carolina University *
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Course
6060
Subject
Information Systems
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by rswing27292
(Main Risk) Human Factor 1: Usability and Accessibility
Today, people are more connected than ever, and completing just about every task requires some form
of electronic engagement. How we interact with technology to complete the tasks can often be
challenging. As a result, the applications and programs' useability has been reworked until people
ranging from minor to no experience and more seasoned users can successfully navigate and complete
necessary tasks. This drive for ease of use usually comes with the cost of less security, as more security
steps required to access or control a particular app or program increase the usability of the product
decreases.
Accessibility compounds useability and often requires app and program designers to circumvent more
stringent security and safety in favor of an approach that allows ease of equal access without barriers to
end users with disabilities. Often, a more secure security measure has to be modified to make it more
accessible and user-friendly.
When evaluating the need for Usability and Accessibility vs. Security, we must find a well-regulated
balance in security and ease of use that is not overburdensome to the end user and equally accessible to
those with or without disabilities. This level of balance is paramount and should be done on a case-by-
case basis, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Human Factor 2: Solutions in Search of a Problem
The title Solutions in Search of a Problem reminds me of the adage, "If it's not broken -don't fix it."
Often, we search for the solution to a problem that has yet to exist. While it is good to remain proactive
and ahead of the proverbial curve regarding security and safety, we often are the creators of the
problem our solution is meant to protect us from. It is in this early stage of solution development we
expose ourselves on a security level by allowing nefarious actors who may already have access to
sensitive information the ability to exploit the very problem we created in our attempt to find a solution
to a problem that was not even present, to begin with.
Human Factor 3: One Size Does Not Fit All
I have yet to have any real-life experience where there was a one-size-fits-all-all mentality when it came
to security or safety. Security and safety should be born out of company culture with a top-down
approach. Starting with the executive and managerial positions, security and safety should be taught by
example. Proper security training and continual security improvement should be championed by
management, and all employees company-wide should implement these initiatives. When you get the
buy-in from the employees that this security and safety is part of the company's fabric rather than a
directive from higher to lower, we find everyone holds the other accountable. Still, more importantly, we
see the single employee holding themselves responsible for company security. With this type of
approach, a company can grow and be successful and look to proactive measures of security rather than
remaining in a defensive posture trying to mitigate security threats.
References
Myers, L. (2019, December 15).
The Human Factor: 5 Reasons Why Cybersecurity Is a People Problem
.
Retrieved from www.darkreading.com: https://www.darkreading.com/risk/the-human-factor-5-
reasons-why-cybersecurity-is-a-people-problem
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