This course examines the human dimension of cybersecurity as a core component of modern computing systems. Moving beyond purely technical defenses, students will analyze how human behavior shapes vulnerabilities, threat models, and security outcomes. The course introduces adversarial thinking as a foundational skill, enabling students to evaluate systems from the perspective of attackers and defenders alike. Through topics such as cognitive biases, trust, and decision-making under uncertainty, students will learn how human factors influence security failures, from phishing attacks and social engineering to insider threats and misuse of digital platforms.

Building on this foundation, the course situates individuals within broader cybersecurity ecosystems, including organizations, online communities, and state actors. Students will examine how different threat actors --- such as cybercriminal groups, ransomware organizations, and nation-states --- leverage human behavior to achieve their objectives. At the same time, the course explores how institutions design policies, governance frameworks, and technical controls to mitigate these risks. Case studies and challenge scenarios will expose students to real-world cybersecurity problems, including cybercrime, digital harassment, and cyberwarfare, emphasizing the interaction between technical systems and human actors.