The Impact of Human Behavior on Cyber Security

Perhaps the greatest challenge to cyber security is that people are inherently behind each cyber problem as well as its solution. The reality is that people have been stealing secrets and information and attacking others for thousands of years; the technology of the Internet just allows it to happen at a faster pace and on a larger scale. This chapter describes aspects of human behavior that impact cyber security efforts. Cognitive overload, bias, incentives and behavioral traits all affect the decision making of both those who develop policy and strategy, those who fall victim to cyber attacks, and those who initiate cyber attacks. Although limited research has been completed on the behavioral aspects of cyber security, many behavioral principles and models are applicable to cyber security issues.