Research by Robert Axelrod highlighted in Defense Systems article about network security's weak links | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Research by Robert Axelrod highlighted in Defense Systems article about network security's weak links

May 2, 2011

Research by Robert Axelrod was highlighted in a Defense Systems article called, "The wetware problem: Humans still the weakest link in network security."

The article recaps a presentation Axelrod made at the Department of Defense Intelligence Information Systems conference in Detroit, Mich. During his presentation Axelrod described wetware or the biological users (people) of systems as a contributing factor to network vulnerability. Examples of wetware vulnerability include unauthorized system access, falsifying reports, using a guessable password, intoxication, and incompetence. Other vulnerability factors include peer horizontal loyalty, security features, and the element of surprise.