The influence of the human factor in decision-making in cyber security exercises

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/mla.2025.25252

Abstract

Cybersecurity is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses aspects of information technology, forensics, incident management, and the human factor. In cyber security, decision-making is influenced by the specialist’s technical knowledge, competencies, and professional experience. However, decisions made in extreme and complex situations are influenced by emotions, motivation, social skills, and cognitive abilities. Therefore, this paper investigated the human factor influencing decision-making of participants in cyber security exercises, and proposed a multidimensional decision-making framework. A study conducted by analyzing the data of the cyber security exercise “Amber Mist” showed that an integrated assessment of technical competencies and the human factor allows for a more accurate determination of the decision-making of a cyber security specialist and its prediction. It was determined that when analyzing decision-making in cyber security exercises, it is necessary to take the human factor into account. The results of the study can be used to improve methodologies and programs for training cyber security specialists.

Article in Lithuanian.

Žmogiškojo faktoriaus įtaka priimant sprendimus kibernetinės saugos pratybose

Santrauka

Kibernetinė sauga – tai tarpdisciplininė sritis, apimanti informacinių technologijų, kriminalistikos, incidentų valdymo aspektus bei žmogiškąjį faktorių. Kibernetinėje saugoje sprendimų priėmimą veikia specialisto techninės žinios, kompetencijos, profesinės veiklos patirtis. Tačiau ekstremaliose bei sudėtingose situacijose priimamus sprendimus veikia emocijos, motyvacija, socialiniai įgūdžiai, kognityviniai gebėjimai. Todėl šiame darbe buvo tiriamas žmogiškasis faktorius, darantis įtaką kibernetinės saugos pratybų dalyvių sprendimų priėmimui, ir pasiūlytas daugiamatis sprendimo priėmimo karkasas. Atliktas tyrimas analizuojant kibernetinių saugos pratybų „Gintarinė migla“ duomenis parodė, jog integruotas techninių kompetencijų ir žmogiškojo faktoriaus vertinimas leidžia tiksliau nustatyti kibernetinio saugumo specialisto sprendimų priėmimą ir jį prognozuoti. Nustatyta, kad analizuojant sprendimų priėmimą kibernetinės saugos pratybose būtina atsižvelgti į žmogiškąjį faktorių. Tyrimo rezultatai gali būti naudojami tobulinant kibernetinės saugos specialistų rengimo metodologijas ir programas.

Reikšminiai žodžiai: kibernetinės saugos pratybos, žmogiškasis faktorius, sprendimų priėmimas.

Keywords:

cybersecurity exercises, human factor, decision making

How to Cite

Kulikauskaitė, K. (2025). The influence of the human factor in decision-making in cyber security exercises. Mokslas – Lietuvos ateitis / Science – Future of Lithuania, 17. https://doi.org/10.3846/mla.2025.25252

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November 13, 2025
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Published

2025-11-13

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Information Technologies & Multimedia / Informacinės technologijos ir multimedija

How to Cite

Kulikauskaitė, K. (2025). The influence of the human factor in decision-making in cyber security exercises. Mokslas – Lietuvos ateitis / Science – Future of Lithuania, 17. https://doi.org/10.3846/mla.2025.25252

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