What is human centric cyber security?
“I have never met a computer that committed a crime” – John Ausin
By 2027, 75% of employees will acquire, modify or create technology outside IT’s visibility – up from 41% in 2022.”
Source: Gartner Article
Human-centric cyber security is an approach that targets humans and their behaviours to improve cyber security outcomes.
At Cyberburst, we believe that cyber security isn’t just the domain of IT professionals and technical experts — we all have an important role to play. We’ve built our platform using human-centric cyber security design principles, focusing on:
- Changing cyber behaviours
- Increasing cyber awareness and understanding
- Creating a culture of cyber security
We know based on our experience that human-centric cyber security outperforms more conventional approaches, allowing you to target the real weak spots (humans) without undergoing a major overhaul of your existing systems and protocols.
How do humans contribute to cyber security?
Cyber security isn’t just about firewalls, encryption and authentication — it has to be about humans.
Researchers from Stanford University have found that human error is the underlying cause of about 90% of all cyber security incidents. Cyber criminals know this too, which is why they exploit weaknesses in human behaviour to execute their attacks.
What does this mean for your organisation? If your cyber security system doesn’t target human error, it’s not keeping you secure.
What are common human vulnerabilities in cyber security?
Often, our everyday habits and natural tendencies can become our biggest weaknesses in the digital world. Simple actions like using weak passwords or clicking on links without thinking twice might seem harmless, but they can lead to major security breaches.
Human-centric security design studies these vulnerabilities and aims to create solutions that align with how people naturally behave. For example, instead of enforcing complicated passwords, it might focus on implementing multi-factor authentication or passwordless login systems that are both secure and user-friendly.
Another part of human-centric security design is helping people take an active role in reinforcing organisational safety. When employees understand their part in maintaining cyber security, they become more vigilant and cautious online.
What role does employee training play in human-centric cyber security?
Effective employee training is the easiest and most efficient way to target human error and improve cyber security outcomes in your organisation. This also creates a shared responsibility for digital safety.
But let’s face it, nobody wants another boring training session. That’s where Cyberburst’s quiz-driven approach comes in, turning cyber security education into a fun, interactive experience. Our quick quizzes fit right into your team’s daily workflow, maximising learner participation and improving information retention minus the dullness of traditional methods.
What are the benefits of adopting a human-centric cyber security design?
After completing Cyberburst’s human-centric cyber security campaigns, learners will:
- Understand the importance of cyber security and the role they play
- Be able to recognise and avoid cyber threats like phishing and social engineering
- Be motivated to adopt and follow cyber security procedures and protocols
We’ve drawn on human-centric cyber security design principles and our years of experience to create a platform that engages learners and achieves real business outcomes. Our flexible package options cater to every business, whether big or small, on-site or remote.
Contact us to find out how Cyberburst can help your organisation become more cyber secure. Let’s work together to transform your employees into your strongest line of defence against cyber threats.
Dr Patrick Scolyer-Gray Bio
Dr. Patrick Scolyer-Gray, an expert in socio-technical aspects of cybersecurity, has made significant contributions to the field. His career began with sociological research on the users of 4chan, a notorious anonymous image board, where he cultivated high-level cybersecurity skills.
As a lecturer at La Trobe University, he created the subject “Human Factors in CyberSecurity,” blending behavioral and computer science. This subject has become a core requirement for the cybersecurity degree at the university.
Dr. Scolyer-Gray’s expertise led him to a research fellowship at Deakin University, where he focused on decision-making, information warfare, and cyber deception. Subsequently, he established and led the Human-Centric Cybersecurity (HCCS) consulting practice at 460degrees, solidifying his reputation as a world-class practitioner and industry leader.
