Margaret Cunningham: A people scientist with a technology focus. [Behavioral science} [Career Notes] - CyberWire Daily

Summary6 min read

CyberWire Daily Summary
Episode: Margaret Cunningham: A People Scientist with a Technology Focus
Host/Author: N2K Networks
Release Date: February 2, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of CyberWire Daily, host N2K Networks engages in a compelling conversation with Margaret Cunningham, a principal research scientist specializing in Human Behavior at Forcepoint. The discussion delves into Margaret's unique career trajectory, her integration of behavioral science within the technology sector, and the critical role of human factors in cybersecurity.

Guest Introduction: Margaret Cunningham

Background and Education

Margaret Cunningham begins by sharing her unconventional path into the field of behavioral science with a strong technological emphasis.

Quote [01:35]: "Strangely enough, I grew up wanting to be an English professor and pursued that through my undergraduate where I was a double major in English and psychology at George Washington University."

She pursued a master's degree in mental health counseling but soon realized that one-on-one therapy was not her forte due to the difficulty in separating work from personal life.

Transition to Applied Experimental Psychology

Recognizing her strengths and interests, Margaret transitioned into a PhD program in Applied Experimental Psychology, which transformed her career focus towards broader impact through research and technology.

Quote [02:15]: "I quickly figured out that I am not the best person to provide therapy on a one on one level primarily because I had a hard time leaving it at work."

Career Path and Professional Experiences

Early Career in Healthcare Human Factors

Margaret began her professional journey examining how technological systems, such as electronic health records, affect healthcare providers' performance and patient safety.

Quote [02:50]: "I originally started working in healthcare human factors looking at how different types of technology like electronic health records systems impacted care provider performance as well as patient safety factors."

Consulting with BMT Designers and Planners

She later took on a consulting role with BMT Designers and Planners (formerly British Maritime Technologies), contributing to projects for the Coast Guard and Navy.

Role at Homeland Security's Science and Technology Department

Margaret found her true calling while supporting the Human Systems Integration Branch at Homeland Security's Science and Technology Department. Her role involved evaluating new technologies to assess their impact on human behavior and performance.

Quote [04:10]: "I did some work for Coast Guard and Navy, but where I really found my footing was supporting the Human Systems Integration Branch at Homeland Security's Science and Technology Department."

Integration of Human Behavior in Technology

Human Factors in Technology Deployment

Margaret emphasizes the importance of incorporating human behavior considerations early in the technology deployment process to prevent unanticipated issues.

Quote [04:55]: "A lot of times we are leaving the human part till last and I think that's an enormous mistake once you put something out in the real world. People will do surprising things with your technology, and often these things are unanticipated and they can create problems."

Connections Across Industries

Throughout her career, Margaret observed significant parallels across different industries, highlighting the universal relevance of human behavior in technological contexts.

Key Insights and Recommendations

Building Connections and Networking

Margaret underscores the importance of networking and building connections within one's field of interest to create unexpected opportunities.

Quote [05:30]: "One of the most critical things that I have done is make connections. Find people who are working on things that you're interested in and show them that you're interested. Talk to people."

Continuous Learning and Staying Informed

She advocates for continuous learning and staying abreast of the latest developments in human factors and behavioral science.

Quote [05:50]: "Never underestimate the amount of reading that you can do. You know, I'm always trying to keep up with the current science behind human factors."

Quantitative Skills in Behavioral Science

Margaret highlights the advantage of strong quantitative skills in behavioral science, particularly in analyzing and interpreting behavioral data.

Quote [06:20]: "A lot of behavioral scientists, including myself, have a very strong background in statistical analysis. That's been a huge advantage for me, understanding how to make meaning out of behavioral data."

Finding the Right Fit

She advises behavioral scientists to seek out organizations that align with their skill sets and interests to effectively contribute to technological advancements.

Quote [06:40]: "You also have to find the organization that's a good match, where your skill set, what you're offering, benefits, what they're trying to build or sell."

Legacy and Impact

Championing Human Behavior in Technology

Margaret aspires to leave a lasting impact by advocating for the integration of human behavior insights within technology teams, ensuring that future projects continue to value and incorporate human factors.

Quote [07:10]: "I hope that I've created some champions for human behavior and performance in the world of technology."

She envisions a professional environment where her contributions inspire others to prioritize human behavior, fostering a culture that continuously seeks to enhance technological solutions through behavioral insights.

Conclusion

Margaret Cunningham's journey exemplifies the vital intersection of behavioral science and technology. Her insights underscore the necessity of integrating human factors early in the technological development process to anticipate and mitigate unforeseen challenges. By leveraging strong quantitative skills, fostering connections, and maintaining a commitment to continuous learning, behavioral scientists can significantly enhance the effectiveness and safety of technological systems. Margaret's work at Forcepoint and her advocacy for human behavior in technology serve as a blueprint for professionals aiming to bridge the gap between human science and cybersecurity.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Margaret Cunningham [01:35]:
"Strangely enough, I grew up wanting to be an English professor and pursued that through my undergraduate where I was a double major in English and psychology at George Washington University."
Margaret Cunningham [02:15]:
"I quickly figured out that I am not the best person to provide therapy on a one on one level primarily because I had a hard time leaving it at work."
Margaret Cunningham [02:50]:
"I originally started working in healthcare human factors looking at how different types of technology like electronic health records systems impacted care provider performance as well as patient safety factors."
Margaret Cunningham [04:10]:
"I did some work for Coast Guard and Navy, but where I really found my footing was supporting the Human Systems Integration Branch at Homeland Security's Science and Technology Department."
Margaret Cunningham [04:55]:
"A lot of times we are leaving the human part till last and I think that's an enormous mistake once you put something out in the real world. People will do surprising things with your technology, and often these things are unanticipated and they can create problems."
Margaret Cunningham [05:30]:
"One of the most critical things that I have done is make connections. Find people who are working on things that you're interested in and show them that you're interested. Talk to people."
Margaret Cunningham [05:50]:
"Never underestimate the amount of reading that you can do. You know, I'm always trying to keep up with the current science behind human factors."
Margaret Cunningham [06:20]:
"A lot of behavioral scientists, including myself, have a very strong background in statistical analysis. That's been a huge advantage for me, understanding how to make meaning out of behavioral data."
Margaret Cunningham [06:40]:
"You also have to find the organization that's a good match, where your skill set, what you're offering, benefits, what they're trying to build or sell."
Margaret Cunningham [07:10]:
"I hope that I've created some champions for human behavior and performance in the world of technology."

Note: Timestamps are based on the provided transcript and correspond to when each quote was spoken during the episode.

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Transcript4 lines

[00:02]
A
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[00:12]
B
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[01:30]
A
Hello, my name is Margaret Cunningham and I am a principal research scientist for Human Behavior at forcepoint. So strangely enough, I grew up wanting to be an English professor and pursued that through my undergraduate where I was a double major in English and psychology at George Washington University. I finished a master's degree in mental health counseling and quickly figured out that I am not the best person to provide therapy on a one on one level primarily because I had a hard time leaving it at work. I went into a PhD program and in Applied Experimental Psychology and you know that transformed my life because I realized that I could provide helping services and good work services at a broader scale. I originally started working in health care human factors looking at how different types of technology like electronic health records systems impacted care provider performance as well as patient safety factors. I took a role as a consultant for a company called BMT Designers and Planners, which was originally British Maritime Technologies. I did some work for Coast Guard and Navy, but where I really found my footing was supporting the Human Systems Integration Branch at Homeland Security's Science and Technology Department. And what my role there was, was to be the person who, you know, went out when we tested new technologies to figure out how to measure how these technologies impacted human There are a lot of parallels across the industries that I've worked in and I find it fascinating because so many things carry through. A lot of times we are leaving the human part till last and I think that's an enormous mistake once you put something out in the real world. People will do surprising things with your technology, and often these things are unanticipated and they can create problems. I think that one of the most critical things that I have done is make connections. Find people who are working on things that you're interested in and show them that you're interested. Talk to people. Never underestimate the amount of reading that you can do. You know, I'm always trying to keep up with the current science behind human factors. Cybersecurity, threat detection, behavioral anomaly detection, and being a voracious reader and someone who's willing to connect with others in the field really can create avenues and opportunities that are unexpected. I really consider myself generally a people scientist with a technology focus. A lot of behavioral scientists, including myself, have a very strong background in statistical analysis. That's been a huge advantage for me, understanding how to make meaning out of behavioral data. I wouldn't underestimate the power of having some quantitative skills. We have to almost make the space for ourselves. You've got to be creative in what you're looking for, but you also have to find the organization that's a good match, where your skill set, what you're offering, benefits, what they're trying to build or sell. I hope that I've created some champions for human behavior and performance in the world of technology. And what I mean by that is that I hope that by working in teams with people who don't expect to work with someone like me, I will have those people I've worked with when I'm gone, seeking another one, seeking someone else to fill that gap, because they find that what I've offered has made what they're working on better.
[06:43]
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