Cyberattacks are often designed to exploit and manipulate users’ behaviour to encourage actions and behaviour that may compromise security. This may include imitating or use of compromised and previously legitimate sources of communication, to encourage insecure behaviours. Understanding the underlying causes of users’ susceptibility to cyberattacks is challenging due to the inherent complexity of human behaviour and the influence of confounding factors across the users’ social and technological environment. This has led to increasing calls for a greater understanding of the role of human factors in cybersecurity to identify potential solutions to address insecure users’ behaviour.
Behaviour change interventions and persuasive technologies are designed to encourage changes in behaviour without coercion. These have been demonstrated to be effective across a broad range of domains including education, commerce, safety, health, and well-being.
This project will investigate the potential role of behaviour change interventions and persuasive technologies for increasing users’ awareness of and reducing susceptibility to cyberattacks. This research will involve engaging with users and conducting experiments designed to measure susceptibility to common cyberattacks and the design and evaluation of suitable countermeasures.
Academic qualifications
A first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, or equivalent achievements ideally in Computing Science, Human Computer Interaction.
English language requirement
If your first language is not English, comply with the University requirements for research degree programmes in terms of English language.
Application process
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisor, Dr JP Vargheese ([Email Address Removed]) to discuss the content of the project and the fit with their qualifications and skills before preparing an application.
Contact details
Should you need more information, please email [Email Address Removed].
The application must include:
Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about
- Background and motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
- Research questions or
- Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
- List of references
The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.
- Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
- Recent and complete curriculum vitae. The curriculum must include a declaration regarding the English language qualifications of the candidate.
- Supporting documents will have to be submitted by successful candidates.
- Two academic references (but if you have been out of education for more than three years, you may submit one academic and one professional reference), on the form can be downloaded here.
Applications can be submitted here. To be considered, the application must use:
- “SCEBE1123” as project code.
- the advertised title as project title
All applications must be received by 3rd December 2023. Applicants who have not been contacted by the 8th March 2024 should assume that they have been unsuccessful. Projects are anticipated to start on 1st October 2024.
Download a copy of the project details here.