The human element in security
People are still at the core of modern software engineering. Humans make decisions, write/maintain software, and operate them to solve business problems. On the other hand, it’s humans who attack our systems. The human presence in security is everywhere. If we extend it a little further, it’s humans on the other side who are using our services.
We often picture cyberattacks as the work of shadowy hackers lurking in the digital realm. However, some of the biggest vulnerabilities within a modern organization stem from a surprisingly tangible source: the people who run it. From personnel with privileged access to end users juggling emails and work tasks, everyday decisions play a major role in protecting or inadvertently weakening systems.
This section explores the complexities of the human element. We won’t be dwelling solely on blame or individual errors; instead, we’ll look at real-world challenges faced by various roles...