and develop a system to help employees learn and follow in-formation security guidelines and to develop an awareness ofinformation security. The system is based on principles of per-suasive technologies, targeting a long-term shift in attitudesand human behaviours. But how can this be achieved on asustainable basis? Information security can be increased, forexample, by not using unencrypted WiFi networks on businesstrips and not leaving passwords lying around.
n the EU project MUSES (Multiplatform Usable EndpointSecurity), the AIT Technology Experience Business Unithas teamed up with various partners in order to research
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IT IS USUALLY THOUGHTLESS ACTIONS BYEMPLOYEES WHICH CAUSE SENSITIVE COMPANYDATA TO FALL INTO THE WRONG HANDS.
PERSUASIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR INFORMATION SECURITY
In the MUSES research & development project, AIT is for the firsttime applying persuasive technologies (technologies which seek tochange the attitudes and behaviours of people) in the field of informa-tion security for companies. Numerous studies have shown that inter-active games, competitions or simple statistics enabling comparisonswith other people or departments promote long-term changes in atti-tudes and behaviours. Persuasive models have long been used inhealth care in the battle against smoking, unhealthy eating or poorexercise. The impact is far higher than with other methods such astraining. âThe challenge was to find out which methods also work forinformation security in companies,â says AIT expert Marc Busch.
AIT will also co-organise a conference dedicated to this topic: Persua-sive Technology will be held in Salzburg from 5â7 April 2016.