The Story and Magic of Social Engineering: Cybersecurity at the Intersection of Narrative and Psychology

Abstract

My MIS 599 Creative Component addresses cybersecurity and the effectiveness of phishing scams propagated online. It draws from the field of cybersecurity as well as from the fields of narrative and psychology. My goal is to demonstrate the dangers that expertise in the arts and sciences of storytelling and deception poses to cybersecurity and society when synthesized and used maliciously by a skilled social engineer.

This paper includes not only my recent research and coursework in the Master of Science in Information Systems program at Iowa State University but also distills many interests and elements of my life. These range from experiences I had as a child to those throughout my 40-year career in information technology. These efforts have led directly to understanding how I was drawn to ISU’s MSIS program, why I have an intrinsic interest in social engineering, and some personally important realizations about my career, life, and myself.