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5 UX Steps to Increase the Security of Your Applications and Websites

Alex Namir
Alex Namir

October 16, 2024 · 4 min read

User experience (UX) is essential for the success of any website or app, but it also plays a vital role in enhancing cybersecurity. Users share significant data during account creation and transactions, making strong cybersecurity measures crucial to protect their information.

Understanding the intersection of UX design and cybersecurity allows you to use powerful and effective UX strategies to improve the security of your organization’s digital platforms.

Step 1: Researching User Behavior

Evaluate with users the effort involved in setting up security features like multi-factor authentication, as well as the regular effort required to use them (e.g., during login). Continuous testing and integrating user feedback are critical to maintaining a balance between usability and security.

Some of the same metrics used to assess UX effectiveness can also be applied to evaluate security performance. For example, unusual changes in bounce rate, time on page, or visitor behavior may indicate potential malicious activity.

Step 2: Setting Security Defaults

Most users keep the default settings of the tools that they are using and only change them when they add more effort than expected. Update the default configuration of your app for higher security settings, and let the users know how these settings can be changed. When possible, avoid adding effort to the initial onboarding experience, when users are still discovering the value that your app brings. By using familiar design patterns, you will build trust in the security configurations of your app.

Step 3: Reducing User Effort With MFA

Complex security protocols can discourage users. So, how can you streamline security features to reduce user effort? To make multi-factor authentication (MFA) more intuitive, consider using minimally intrusive but strong methods. Options like MFA, alongside trusted device recognition, can enhance security without overwhelming users. Biometrics, such as fingerprints and facial recognition, offer a seamless yet secure experience. These strategies help maintain robust protection while prioritizing ease of use.

Step 4: Facilitating Secured Routines

Drive users to adapt secured routines and make security conscious decisions. Routines are made of three parts: triggers, behaviors and rewards. When users see and understand the benefits of enhanced security, their actions will support it.

Consider how you can make security as transparent as possible for your users. This involves providing a privacy and data use policy that is easy to navigate and understand, with straightforward explanations of why user data is being collected—and how it will be used. Transparency is the first step towards a security policy that empowers the user. That’s because users will immediately understand how vulnerable information is protected, and how secured behavior rewards them.

Step 5: Automating Security Processes

Automate security processes to enhance both protection and user experience. Software updates and vulnerability scans can run automatically without manual intervention, and if scheduled correctly, it has a minimal impact on user experience. Scheduling recurring security scans in your app and automated vulnerabilities reporting will reduce the effort and keep your app secured.

Balancing UX Design with Cybersecurity

Long story short, if you want to create an enjoyable and secure digital experience for your users, consider balancing UX design with cybersecurity good practices, such as setting secure defaults, simplifying MFA, and automating security processes.

Not only will you be building a secure web application ecosystem, but you’ll also empower users to adopt safer habits online while enjoying their digital experience. At the end of the day, we’re talking about understanding user behaviors and making security features intuitive.

If you’re looking for an ally that can understand and adapt to your cybersecurity needs, reach out to our team at Probely. Our API and Web App Vulnerability Scanner might be what your organization needs to enhance its security.

UX Design
Cybersecurity
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