Human Factors in Cyber Security: Social Engineering, Behavioural Aspects and Resilience Solutions
A special issue of Information (ISSN 2078-2489). This special issue belongs to the section "Information Security and Privacy".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 940
Special Issue Editors
Interests: cybersecurity and cybercrime; human factors in cybersecurity; cyberpsychology; information security management; IIoT (industrial internet of things) and OT (operational technology) security; digital privacy
Interests: human aspects of cyber security; network security; security by design; trust protection on the Internet; cyber crime detection
Interests: human factors; assistive technology; usability engineering; systems of systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Cybersecurity is not merely a technical challenge; it is deeply intertwined with human behaviour and psychology. This Special Issue will focus on the critical roles played by human factors in the success of cyberattacks, including scams, social engineering, and phishing, as well as the psychological aftermath for individuals and organisations. It will also explore how understanding psychological factors can inspire innovative security and privacy protection solutions. We welcome submissions investigating how cognitive biases, decision-making processes, emotional states, and other human factors contribute to user susceptibility to cyber threats. Studies on the psychological manipulation techniques employed by attackers, the impacts of cyber incidents on mental health, and strategies to build user resilience against such threats are particularly encouraged. Additionally, research on leveraging psychological insights to develop human-centric security measures, including privacy-enhancing technologies and awareness programs, is highly relevant. This interdisciplinary Special Issue will advance knowledge at the intersection of psychology, cybersecurity, and technology. By addressing the human element in cyber risk, we will inform more effective defences and foster a safer digital ecosystem for users worldwide. Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers will benefit from the insights shared in this timely collection.
Dr. Hossein Abroshan
Dr. Nader Sohrabi Safa
Prof. Dr. Huseyin Dogan
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Information is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- cyber threats
- cybersecurity
- human behaviour
- cyberattack
- security and privacy protection
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