With the average UK household having more than 10 Internet of Things devices, more people are looking to find ways to connect apps and devices to create more complex systems in their homes. Trigger-action rules, such as those supported by IFTTT (If This Then That), are one way that this can be done.

However, the ease with which multiple applets can be created and simultaneously deployed presents several security and privacy issues. Users are often not able to anticipate or fully understand the security implications of these rules, especially when multiple rules create unpredictable knock-on effects – as they are often concentrating on their goal of automating a process or creating a convenient shortcut, safety can easily be pushed into the background. Finding ways to encourage users to consider security and privacy when choosing these rules is important in maintaining safety.

In this next lunchtime seminar organised by our Open Source Communications, Analytics Research team, Dr Emily Collins will outline research conducted across two studies. These explored how people make decisions when selecting IFTTT rules using a game-based experimental design, and whether priming them in different ways might promote greater consideration of the security and privacy implications of the rules they choose.

Speaker Biography

Dr Emily Collins is a lecturer at Cardiff university interested in Human Factors Psychology, with a particular focus on cyber security behaviour change, usable security, and how psychological principles can inform the design and outcomes associated with devices, interfaces and systems. Dr Collin’s other interests including looking at work-life-balance and how technology can be used to help promote well-being and post-work recovery.

When: 12pm-1pm, 3rd June June 2021

Where: This event will be held on Zoom. To register, follow this link. Once you have registered, you will be sent the link and passcode to access the call.

Contact: [email protected]