How the Human Brain Buys Security

Bruce Schneier examines prospect theory and how it applies to computer security. The solution is not to sell security directly, but to include it as part of a more general product or service. Vendors need to build security into the products and services that customers actually want. Security is inherently about avoiding a negative, so you can never ignore the cognitive bias embedded so deeply in the human brain. But if you understand it, you have a better chance of overcoming it.