The latest episode of Redefining CyberSecurity on ITSPmagazine featured a thought-provoking discussion about integrating human factors into secure software development. Host Sean Martin was joined by Dr. Kelsey Fulton, Assistant Professor at the Colorado School of Mines, and Julie Haney, a computer scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The conversation explored how human-centered approaches can strengthen secure software practices and address challenges in the development process. A Human-Centered Approach to Security Dr. Fulton shared how her research focuses on the human factors that impact secure software development. Her journey began during her graduate studies at the University of Maryland, where she was introduced to the intersection of human behavior and security in a course that sparked her interest. Her projects, such as investigating the transition from C to Rust programming languages, underscore the complexity of embedding security into the software development lifecycle. The Current State of Secure Development One key takeaway from the discussion was the tension between functionality and security in software development. Developers often prioritize getting a product to market quickly, leading to decisions that sideline security considerations. Dr. Fulton noted that while developers typically have good intentions, they often lack the resources, tools, and organizational support necessary to incorporate security effectively. She highlighted the need for a “security by design” approach, which integrates security practices from the earliest stages of development. Embedding security specialists within development teams can create a cultural shift where security becomes a shared responsibility rather than an afterthought. Challenges in Adoption and Education Dr. Fulton’s research reveals significant obstacles to adopting secure practices, including the complexity of tools and the lack of comprehensive education for developers. Even advanced tools like static analyzers and fuzzers are underutilized. A major barrier is developers’ perception that security is not their responsibility, compounded by tight deadlines and organizational pressures. Additionally, her research into Rust adoption at companies illuminated technical and organizational challenges. Resistance often stems from the cost and complexity of transitioning existing systems, despite Rust’s promise of enhanced security and memory safety. The Future of Human-Centered Security Looking ahead, Dr. Fulton emphasized the importance of addressing how developers trust and interact with tools like large language models (LLMs) for code generation. Her team is exploring ways to enhance these tools, ensuring they provide secure code suggestions and help developers recognize vulnerabilities. The episode concluded with a call to action for organizations to support research in this area and cultivate a security-first culture. Dr. Fulton underscored the potential of collaborative efforts between researchers, developers, and companies to improve security outcomes. By focusing on human factors and fostering supportive environments, organizations can significantly advance secure software development practices. ____________________________ Guests: Dr. Kelsey Fulton , Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the Colorado School of Mines Website | https://cs.mines.edu/project/fulton-kelsey/ Julie Haney , Computer scientist and Human-Centered Cybersecurity Program Lead, National Institute of Standards and Technology [ @NISTcyber ] On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-haney-037449119/ ____________________________ Host: Sean Martin , Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [ @ITSPmagazine ] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [ @RedefiningCyber ] On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/sean-martin ____________________________ View This Show's Sponsors Imperva | https://itspm.ag/imperva277117988 LevelBlue | https://itspm.ag/levelblue266f6c ThreatLocker | https://itspm.ag/threatlocker-r974 ___________________________ Watch this and other videos on ITSPmagazine's YouTube Channel Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast with Sean Martin, CISSP playlist: 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllS9aVGdiakVss9u7xgYDKYq ITSPmagazine YouTube Channel: 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@itspmagazine Be sure to share and subscribe! ___________________________ Resources Kelsey Fulton Biography: https://kfulton121.github.io/ ___________________________ To see and hear more Redefining CyberSecurity content on ITSPmagazine, visit: https://www.itspmagazine.com/redefining-cybersecurity-podcast Are you interested in sponsoring this show with an ad placement in the podcast? Learn More 👉 https://itspm.ag/podadplc Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
