Security Theater i digitala applikationer

: En illusion för att förstärka känslan av säkerhet

Abstract

Computer power and speed have increased exponentially in recent years, but our expectations and mental models of what computer systems are capable of have not kept up. In cases where people do not believe that the system can perform the requested task as quickly as they do, an artificial wait can be applied to closer match the reality. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether security theater works in the context of banking applications and what happens with the users trust if the illusion of security fails. Through this paper we have found that security theater is a phenomenon that works and adds value to the user. However, the context in question must be carefully evaluated, as security theater in the wrong context can be seen as a disturbing element. We came to the conclusion that the majority of our test subjects are not negatively affected, and instead sees the value in security theater even after the illusion have been revealed.