A STUDY ON THE SECURITY USABILITY PARADOX: DOES STRONGER CYBERSECURITY CREATE LESS SECURE USER BEHAVIOR
: https://doi.org/10.65725/JCISE/2/3/007
JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (JCISE) 
ISSN: 3107-8168
Volume 2 Issue 3, Jul-Sep 2026

Abstract: 
Security is supposed to protect people, but in everyday use it can also make life harder. This paper looks at the security–usability paradox: the idea that stronger security controls can sometimes lead users to take shortcuts that are less safe. Instead of treating this as a theory alone, the paper brings together selected usable-security studies and codes them along two simple scales: how much friction a control creates and how likely it is to encourage risky behavior. The synthesis points to a clear pattern. Controls such as repeated login prompts, complex password rules, and frequent interruptions tend to create frustration and workarounds, while controls like single sign-on, clearer authentication flows, and practical password support are linked with better behavior. Three visuals are used to show this: a bar chart of common awareness-program pain points, a scatter plot showing the coded friction-behavior relationship, and a heatmap that compares security controls with their usability impact. The main takeaway is simple: stronger cybersecurity is not automatically safer if people cannot use it comfortably and consistently.

Authors: Dr. S. Jayasri, Mahathi Balaji

Keywords: Cybersecurity, Usable Security, Security–Usability Paradox, Security Friction, User Behaviour, Human Factors, User Compliance, Security Controls, Risk Perception, Authentication Usability, Security Awareness, Behavioural Security, Security Effectiveness.