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:

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