Are Usability & Security Opposites in Computing?

krozinov writes "Instinct tells us that computer security and computer usability are inversely proportional to each other. In other words, the tougher and stricter the security is, the less usability there is, and vice versa. However, there have been plenty of cases where both computer security and computer usability went hand in hand with each other and actually improved together. In the last few years security has been the biggest buzzword in computer systems and as such has become part of our computer systems. Before that, computer systems were all about getting it done faster and easier, but now they must also do it securely. Can the two continue growing together? This paper argues that it can, as evident by the most recent Indian Assembly Election."

Comments

My Soapbox

[rednip]

My best example of where 'increased security' actually defeats it's purpose is rapid password expiration. I've seen password policies which force a user to change their password every thirty days The problem is that most users have trouble remembering passwords. This 'forces' users to do two things,

1. create a series of passwords, which may be as simple as adding a number to the end.
2. or, write down passwords

System Admins and Managers can force unique passwords, keep a long password history, and check desks, but then the burdon falls more heavly on their help desk system.

No matter what the password policy eventually users will need to have a password reset, each time is a cost on the tech support system. Proper security whould have a security officer phyically identify each user before reset but that would be costly, so they instead ask a couple of profile questions. Which open up social engineering issues. So generally, the harder your password policies are, then the easier your reset policies need to be, (unless cost really isn't an issue).

people don't understand a little complexity

[xutopia]

People idea of usability is usually that programs work the way they are meant without asking for too much help to do their job. For example a usability feature of Internet Explorer was to automatically execute .doc file viewers when you downloaded them. The action of executing automatically is wonderful and for many is seen as a great usability enhancement. But what happens when the .doc file can be programmed to do all kinds of problems on your computer? What if that automatically executed script within causes havoc with other seemingly non-related things? Then what is the overall usability benefit there? Negative if you ask many people.

The hassle of viruses, worms and other crap which appear on people's machine causes many usability problems in my book. The more maintenance you need to do on a machine the less usable it is. A windows machine needs plenty of work to keep up with updates, spyware, adwares and viruses. On the other hand the OS which doesn't execute things automatically when you visit a web site doesn't require as much maintenance.

I always use the analogy of cars. Cars have locks on their doors, then you have to use your key to turn the motor on. Now imagine cars without locks on their doors. One less hassle in the way of doing what you want right? How about no keys to turn on the car. It automatically turns on when you put your seat belt on. Wow! What an amazing car!! Guess what though? That type of car wouldn't stay in the driveway for very long. Well a Windows computer is that type of usable car that doesn't stay in your driveway for very long. Linux might ask you to put a key in the door and turn the engine on with that same key but at least it's still in the driveway when you need it.

Usability? How about accessibility?

[digitect]

Architecturally, it is generally accepted that the security of a building is opposed to it's accessibility. Take for example a grocery store. The ease with which customers can get in and out is directly related to how easy it is for the place to be robbed. Movie theater design is similar.

However, usability overcomes some of these problems by making entrances obvious, door opening automatic, lighting bright, etc. I believe a comnputer interface should be the same. Just because I have to remember a password, doesn't mean that entering it need be. Perhaps many passwords presents a different problem, but one of the supposed ideals behind biometric data is that it can be greatly complex and yet still readily available. But does that mean it's less secure?

Hmm

[Anonymous Coward]

Usability, security and cheapness. You can have any two

No, I call that bad intuition.

[dnoyeb]

Useability is what happens after security is cleared. Securitys whole point is to give useability to those that are authorized to have it. If security is interfering with useability, then you will find that even people with authorization will start looking for ways to subvert it. Thus, any security that interfers with useability is bad security.

Its kind of like welding car doors shut and calling it more secure. It is until people start entering through the windows on a daily basis.

Just look at CD copy security measures that get cracked in minutes because they interfere with useability.

Well, here's an experiment you can do at home...

[Weaselmancer]

Are Usability & Security Opposites in Computing?

I propose the following experiment. Yes, yes I know there are service packs and patches available, that's why I'm calling this an experiment.

Take a Windows XP CD and load it onto a system you're not using for anything important at the moment. Do not connect it to a network in any way, shape, or form. Load the PC up with applications. Roughly judge load times, mouse and keyboard times...mess around with it a while and see how responsive it is. Not too bad, right? Fairly useable.

Now, plug your netcard directly into your net. No firewall. I suggest plugging the box directly into a cablemodem. Wait 24 hours.

Notice any difference? This is exactly why Usability and Security are NOT opposites. Any box that's running 99% cpu with malware and viruses is damn near unusable.

Security vs convenience

[jacksonps4]

There is often a trade-off between security and convenience rather than usability. It is necessary to strike the right balance between the two. There is little point in adding layer upon layer of security for something which is not worth protecting. Equally, a little inconvenience can be justified for the protection of something valuable.