As a Cyber Security Awareness Specialist, I’m always learning and looking for new things and ways to engage with those who don’t have cyber at the forefront of their minds to help them develop a security first mindset. Recently I’ve picked up some new gamification training methods and deeper analysis of the human brain and cyberpsychology, so when I heard about Sarah Aalborg’s new book it piqued my interest massively.
If you are interested in any way in the human aspects of cyber security, “Secure by Choice” by Sarah Aalborg is an absolute must-read. It provides a very insightful exploration into the impact of cognitive biases on security risk assessments, and it gave me some huge food for thought. For example, if you have ever wondered why you suddenly see ads following you around your web browsers and social media channels about the very things you are thinking about or searching for online, or if you have suddenly been bombarded with emails from online services when all you did was just browse a website and not by from it, you’ll find out in “Secure by Choice” why this happens.
Sarah Aalborg brilliantly illustrates how our brains are wired to apply biases, which often leads us to having skewed perceptions of risk. Throughout the book there are clear analogies and relatable explanations of why our brains apply these biases and what we can do about them from a security risk perspective. There are also some fantastic insights on how we can gently encourage security behavioural change through understanding why people act the way that they do.
For security professionals seeking to enhance their decision-making processes, I cannot recommend this book enough Through understanding the psychological aspects that influence our risk perception, readers will learn and develop more effective strategies to manage and communicate security risks more effectively.
Sarah Aalborg brings complex psychological concepts to life in “Secure by Choice” and makes them more accessible, ensuring that the content in the book is both engaging and applicable to real-world security scenarios. It is a crucial resource for those who want to gain a better and deeper understanding of the interplay between cognitive psychology and security. If you want to make unbiased decisions that will help to strengthen the security posture of the organisation you work for, or if you are involved in or interested in cyber security awareness, social engineering and the human elements of cyber security, this book is for you.
To buy a copy of “Secure by Choice” from Security Blend Books, visit https://securityblendbooks.com/products/secure-by-choice.