On March 3, 2023, APA Services filed comments on the value of incorporating psychological science research into cybersecurity strategies (PDF, 160KB)opens in new window in response to a request for information from the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development National Coordination Office of the National Science Foundation (NSF)opens in new window. The call for comments came in response to federal requirements for agencies to update federal cybersecurity research and development strategic plans every four years. The previous planopens in new window included only passing references to the role of psychology; the APA Services comments encourage NSF to take more direct steps to incorporate the science of human behavior into the new policy.
Psychologists bring a unique perspective to analyzing and recommending implementation of cybersecurity strategies, and for years, those seeking to design and implement new workforce strategies have turned to psychologists for help. The association has designed its own set of recommendations on how to set up policies that create a healthy workplace, and this research can also be helpful in the context of cybersecurity strategies. Designing policies that are effective in achieving their goals, effectively training employees on the need for these policies, and creating an environment of adoption and accountability are areas where psychology can play a central role. With a set of policies and strategies as important as federal cybersecurity, it is imperative that the government recognize the value of psychology and incorporate the relative organizational science into the conversation.
As the workplace evolves and the future of work is studied more, psychology will play a more central role in policies like those related to cybersecurity to ensure a more efficient, effective, and equitable outcome.
Read the full comment on Regulations.govopens in new window.
For more information, contact Corbin Evans.