This podcast discusses the need to build security programs that account for human fallibility and why users should be educated instead of managed. It also highlights the importance of creating a culture of psychological safety, protecting employees, and understanding normal behavior for identifying security risks. Additionally, the speakers emphasize the responsibility of users to handle data securely and the significance of user experience and easy security processes.
Building security programs that account for human behavior is crucial to effective cybersecurity.
Creating a culture of psychological safety and empowering users leads to better compliance and increased security.
Deep dives
Building Security Programs to Account for Human Behavior
Building effective security programs that account for human behavior is crucial. Many scams and attacks are designed to trick people, so it is important to understand that users will inevitably make mistakes. Instead of blaming and managing users like children, security practitioners should focus on educating and empowering them as accountable adults. The expectations we have on our users need to be clear, and security programs should be designed to support them rather than punish them. Additionally, systems should be designed to account for human failure and manage the containment of attacks.
Balancing Accountability and Support for Users
Blaming users for security incidents does not lead to increased security. Instead, organizations should create a culture of psychological safety where users can feel comfortable making and owning their mistakes. It is crucial to prioritize users' understanding of cybersecurity and their role in protecting the company. Alongside accountability, it is important to provide support and ease of use. Technology should be designed with simplicity in mind, making it easy for users to do the right thing and providing them with the necessary controls and protections.
Understanding User Behavior and Designing Effective Controls
Understanding user behavior is key to designing effective security controls. By analyzing normal communication patterns, organizations can identify anomalies and raise the risk level on suspicious activities. It is important to make security a personal matter for users, helping them understand the relevance of cybersecurity to their personal lives and creating a sense of shared responsibility. Controls should be implemented to protect users from themselves, such as restricting external communications or providing a virtual padded room for high-risk individuals. Approaches that simplify security and make it the easiest option for users will lead to better compliance.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series.
We expect our users to be perfect security responders even when the adversaries are doing everything in their power to trick them. These scams are designed to make humans respond to them. Why aren't we building our security programs to account for this exact behavior that is simply not going to go away?
Why do we expect our users to be perfect security responders even when the adversaries are doing everything in their power to trick them?
Aren’t these scams designed to make humans respond to them?
Why aren't we building our security programs to account for this exact behavior that is simply not going to go away?
Why do so many security practitioners treat our users as children to be managed instead of adults to be educated and assigned a level of accountability?
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode