Exclusive Interview with Dr. Mary Aiken, Cybersecurity Expert
Dr. Mary Aiken stands out as a leading figure in cybersecurity, particularly recognized for her innovative contributions to cyber psychology and technology’s human factors. As an award-winning academic and an advisor to global organizations, she inspired the CBS series “CSI: Cyber,” gaining acclaim for enhancing the understanding of technology’s influence on human behavior.
In this exclusive discussion, Dr. Aiken delves into the psychological aspects driving cybercrime, emphasizing the necessity of integrating human behavior into cybersecurity measures. She also discusses the importance of building a future in AI and digital resilience by understanding human vulnerabilities and strengths.
Q: How should governments, businesses, and society adjust their strategies for emerging AI-related risks?
Dr. Aiken highlights the excitement and subsequent disillusionment around AI technologies, noting that tools like chatbots have a longer history than many realize. She points out that programs like Eliza, created in the 1960s, revealed how highly people could engage with AI. The early excitement led to concerns over whether AI could genuinely replicate human intelligence, a notion Aiken finds flawed, as human intelligence itself remains poorly understood.
She advocates for viewing AI through an “Intelligence Augmentation” (IIA) lens, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between humans and machines. This approach ensures that human capabilities remain central to technological advancement.
Q: What insights does cyber psychology provide into technology-driven behavioral changes?
Dr. Aiken describes the online disinhibition effect, illustrating how the anonymity of the internet allows for actions that wouldn’t occur in real life. While online communities can foster positivity—like crowdsourced fundraising—she warns against the irresponsible use of online anonymity. Her research encompasses topics like cyberchondria, where individuals escalate health concerns through online symptom searches, and cyber fraud. By studying the psychological motivations behind these behaviors, she is able to enrich her presentations across various sectors, from healthcare to finance.
Q: Why is it essential to include human factors in cybersecurity strategies?
Dr. Aiken emphasizes that cyberspace must be acknowledged as a legitimate environment, a concept ratified by NATO in 2016. She points out that traditional cybersecurity has largely focused on physical and logical networks, neglecting the human element crucial to understanding cyber threats. Many cyber attacks stem from social engineering, which primarily relies on psychological principles rather than technological ones. Aiken is actively involved in the burgeoning SafetyTech sector, which seeks to address technology-facilitated harms.
She reiterates the importance of considering human behaviors from multiple angles: as users, employees, and potential attackers. A holistic view of cybersecurity encompasses both technical defenses and the psychological resilience of those handling these systems.
Mark Matthews conducted this enlightening interview with Dr. Mary Aiken.
