I believe psychological insights are crucial for understanding the diverse social interactions of people and technology. Within the CDT and broader cyber security landscape, psychology enhances security by embedding human behaviour and motivation into the design, creation and deployment of digital devices. Therefore, human factors should be at the centre of our thinking, alongside the technical components of the system that we’re trying to secure.

 Another key issue for cyber security is that new technologies generally emerge far in advance of the law and regulations. Rather than waiting for the future to happen, psychologists can promote accountability amongst designers and developers to create greater protections for citizens online. I believe that the responsible innovation of technology is an important endeavour which resonates with the ethics, inclusivity and values of psychology.

 With this in mind, I plan to study the misuse of technology to perpetrate domestic violence as part of my research project. Smart devices in the home can create profound privacy and safety issues, with capabilities to monitor and manipulate victims. From my perspective, it’s important to consider the psychological mechanisms which facilitate abuse to ensure security implications aren’t overlooked in design features. These insights can inform safety planning through the development of strategies which empower support services and survivors to navigate emerging risks.

 To date, I have enjoyed the opportunities to engage with my peers and explore the interdisciplinary challenges of cyber security. This collaboration has enhanced our understanding of current cyber risks and the anticipation of future threats. Socio-technical thinking, which considers human behaviour as a core facet, is absolutely essential if we want to continue building a future where people are safe online.

Emily Johnstone - Cyber Security CDT Student - Cohort 2020