Human Factors in Cybersecurity
UndergraduateLTU-CSE2HUM2025
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 20 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 28 July 2025
- Price from
- $1,164
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Human Factors in Cybersecurity
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse psychological factors influencing cybersecurity behaviours and personality characteristics to develop strategies for secure practices and organisational sustainability goals.
- Investigate social implications of human factors in cyber security, considering digital divides, socio-cultural norms, and digital empowerment, to inform policies promoting equitable access and participation in secure environments.
- Analyse cybercrime business models and threats impacting corporate social and ethical responsibilities, assessing the influence of organisational culture, leadership, and communication on cyber security practices.
- Assess the economic impact of and financial implications of investing in human factors in cyber security and propose cost-effective risk management strategies.
- Develop a comprehensive cyber security culture, education and engagement strategy within an organisational context, whilst employing professional skills in evaluative judgement, team building, negotiation, and high-level communication across diverse environments.
- Psychology, sociology and anthropology of human behaviour
- Vulnerability analysis, social engineering and hacker dynamics
- Cybercrime financial and economic modelling
- Ethics, policy and regulation
- Cybersecurity culture, education and awareness
This subject delves into the scientific study of human behaviour in relation to cyber security, with a particular focus on psychological, sociological, anthropological, financial and economic considerations. Key theories covered include motivation, cognition, emotion, and personality traits that influence victim vulnerability and hacker success. Additionally, the subject examines cybercrime business models, criminological theories, and the impact of organisational culture, leadership, and communication on cyber security practices. Students will analyse the economic and financial implications of investing in human factors in cyber security and propose cost-effective risk management strategies. Through the development of a comprehensive cyber security culture, education, and engagement strategy, students will apply professional skills in evaluative judgment, team building, negotiation, and high-level communication skills.
- Psychological and sociological issues in current cyber contexts, 700 word equivalent total as follows: Article (500 word equiv, 70%), Infographic (200 word equiv, 30%) (20%)
- Cybercrime business models and threats on cyber practices, 1200 word equivalent total as follows: Digital Poster (1000 word equiv 80%), Self-evaluation (200 word equiv, 20%) (30%)
- Cybersecurity culture, education and engagement, 2450 word equivalent total: Part A: Proposal (1500 word equiv, 50%), Part B: Oral Presentation (350 word equiv, 25%), Part C: Self and Peer Evaluation (600 word equiv, 25%) (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
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Entry requirements
Prior study
You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:
Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateLAT-CYS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
UndergraduateLAT-AHS-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science
UndergraduateLAT-PYS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DEG
Bachelor of Information Technology
UndergraduateLAT-TEC-DEG
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