A4 Article in conference proceedings
Reconceptualizing the Human in the Loop : A Problematization of Taken-for-Granted Metaphors in Cybersecurity Research (2024)
Soliman, W., & Järveläinen, J. (2024). Reconceptualizing the Human in the Loop : A Problematization of Taken-for-Granted Metaphors in Cybersecurity Research. In ECIS 2024 : Proceedings of the 32nd European Conference on Information Systems. Association for Information Systems. https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2024/track02_general/track02_general/5/
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Soliman, Wael; Järveläinen, Jonna
Parent publication: ECIS 2024 : Proceedings of the 32nd European Conference on Information Systems
Conference:
- European Conference on Information Systems
Place and date of conference: Paphos, Cyprus, 13.-19.6.2024
eISBN: 978-1-958200-10-0
Publication year: 2024
Publisher: Association for Information Systems
Publication country: United States
Publication language: English
Persistent website address: https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2024/track02_general/track02_general/5/
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/95186
Abstract
The use of metaphors is crucial to advancing not only scientific fields but also in facilitating the development of knowledge and understanding in general. While metaphors facilitate the exchange of novel concepts and ideas, they can also be a hindrance if we do not critically question the root metaphors and the extent to which they apply and do not apply to the subjects we study in cybersecurity research. We find two metaphors to be seemingly popular in characterizing the human actor: (1) the “frightened animal” metaphor with traceable roots to fear-inducing theories, such as Deterrence Theory, and (2) the “weakest link” metaphor with traceable roots to Taylorism and scientific management. We revisit the roots of these two metaphors, critically examine their applicability to the subject matter in cybersecurity, and provide suggestions for improving the status quo.
Keywords: cyber security; data security; data systems; metaphors; figures of speech; concepts (notions); fear (emotions); development (active)
Free keywords: cybersecurity; information security; information systems security; metaphor; frightened animal; weakest link
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Preliminary JUFO rating: 1