Jumping security hurdles

Successful security is heavily dependent upon the individuals involved, and so can be compromised if they do not properly understand or fulfil their role. This article offers a view of the challenges to be faced in getting individuals to a point where they can accept and use security effectively. The challenges are framed as a series of successive hurdles (namely perception, priority, responsibility, leading to further potential issues of confidence, capability and usability), all of which must be overcome if the user is to be in good position to play their part. Consideration is given to how a combination of marketing, education and technological change may be required in order for the full set of hurdles to be cleared.