Human Error in Information Security: Exploring the Role of Interruptions and Multitasking in Action Slips

Abstract

Breaches of cyber-security often arise unintentionally from the human user such as when switching between subtasks or external interruptions, disrupting the flow of work and leading to action slips in the execution of a task procedure [1, 2]. There has been little research into the perceived effects of task interruption and switching on computer-based tasks when such action slips can potentially compromise information security. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on nine university employees who regularly handle sensitive information, designed to identify which features of information-sensitive computer-based tasks are the most susceptible to disruption. Potential sources of human error in were identified with task interruption judged to be more likely than multitasking as a source of error. The interview findings will serve as the basis of experimental investigations into how disruptions in the flow of a task procedure can cause action slips that may compromise the handling of sensitive data. Well-informed empirical work in the area of Cyberpsychology is critical to understanding the processes involved, and to guiding potential solutions rooted in human-machine interface design and human computer interaction.