Cyber Security & UX : How to balance security and ease of use.

It is important to understand the challenges when trying to balance cybersecurity and UX. On the other hand, users need to be able to interact with the system intuitively and effortlessly. Besides, it is also important to protect your system from external threats such as phishing attacks, malware and hacking attempts.

Double factor authentication is a perfect example, it allows on the one hand to secure an authentication by requesting a code by SMS to avoid any fraudulent connection. However, this can be complicated for users who need to verify their identity every time they log in and result in a less fluid user experience and cause users to disable this two-factor authentication. The same applies to passwords, which always require more complex settings and even an automatic expiration every six months.

The biggest challenge is finding the balance between safety and ease of use. At NT Agency FZ-LLC, our developers have come up with solutions that make the user interface intuitive while increasing security. This involves rethinking how users interact with systems and finding ways to make security more transparent.

Image credit © by Getty Image, Over the shoulder view of young woman using mobile device with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) security while logging in securely to her laptop. Privacy protection, internet and mobile security.

Three approaches to reconcile cybersecurity and UX

Approach 1: User Centric Design

One of the most effective ways to balance cybersecurity and UX is to take a “user-centric” design approach. This means that our developers need to understand the needs of users and the problems they encounter when using a computer system. And with this in mind, they design user interfaces that meet needs while ensuring security.

Image credit © by Getty Image, CAPTCHA Icons. Web Site Protection. Person Verification. I'm Not A Robot Buttons.

Approach 2: Transparent Security

Another approach is to use invisible security technologies. Invisible technologies are those that work in the background without the user needing to manage or understand them. For example, Google’s recaptcha technology makes it possible to secure a web form against robots without asking the user to click on a captcha.

For these technologies to work properly, it is also important to educate users about security and inform them of potential risks. Users need to understand potential threats and how to protect themselves from them. Therefore, our developers provide clear instructions and recommendations for safe use of the system.

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Approach 3: security by design

Finally, security testing is an integral part of the development process. Security by design refers to the consideration of security by default at the beginning of a system’s design. Our developers regularly test systems to detect security breaches and fix them before they are exploited by cybercriminals. This naturally requires advanced cybersecurity knowledge, so our developers benefit from cybersecurity training to improve their skills and design more secure systems.

In summary, cybersecurity and UX are two important goals for modern IT systems. These two objectives are not always compatible, but they can be achieved through various complementary approaches. Our developers understand that security cannot be sacrificed for a better user experience, but that it is also possible to make security transparent and easy to use. It is important to note that security should not be seen as an additional cost or legal obligation, but as an investment in a company’s reputation, confidentiality and customer loyalty. Companies that invest in security not only avoid the financial and legal consequences of security breaches, but also strengthen their brand image and market position.