WEAKEST LINK, OR…
Endre Bihari · EDPACS · 2018
Metaphorizing is the principal means with which to conduct our thinking. We use metaphors to make meaning and sense about the world around us. We use them, furthermore, to form a view on the nature of the subject of the study. Thus, they play an important role in understanding a subject. Our point of view will determine what insights we will make and what inferences we draw. It is essential to understand the meaning of the metaphor and what mental pictures—including unintended ones—it conveys. Using an inappropriate mental picture can cause serious misconceptions. The focal point of this article is metaphors used to describe information security. The first one is a commonly used metaphor in the information security industry—the link metaphor. The meaning and the problems evident with using this metaphor are discussed first. An alternative is then provided—the Formula 1 (F1) car metaphor. A detailed rationale for using this metaphor instead of the first one completes the article.