Integrating user experience into cybersecurity: challenges, opportunities and actionable recommendations from a case study
(2026) Organizational Cybersecurity Journal: Practice, Process and People — Vol. 1, p. 1-24 (2026)
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- Abstract
- Purpose-The paper studies the integration of UX into a cybersecurity project using a longitudinal mixed-method approach, how introducing UX influences design, management decisions and security-relevant outcomes, formalises these mechanisms in a four-phase framework and derives recommendations. Design/methodology/approach-An exploratory case study follows a multi-year cybersecurity project (2022-2025) with multiple rounds of participant observation, survey and interviews. Findings-UX integration facilitates consensus-building, fosters a human-centred mindset and serves as the backbone of the project. Research limitations/implications-Single-case design, small homogeneous sample and context-specific setting prevent statistical generalisation. Practical implications-Recommendations and framework support safer, more inclusive systems by aligning design with diverse user needs. Originality/value-Presents a phase-based framework showing how UX practices reshape security decisions across four stages (recognition, anchoring, translation and operationalisation), alongside replicable UX methods and 10 actionable recommendations for development and management teams.
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Citations
Azevedo, D., Ramelot, J., Legay, A., & Kieffer, S. (2026). Integrating user experience into cybersecurity: challenges, opportunities and actionable recommendations from a case study. Organizational Cybersecurity Journal: Practice, Process and People, 1, 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/ocj-02-2025-0005 (Original work published 2026)