Decision Hygiene in Cybersecurity
Dustin S. Sachs · 2025
Decision hygiene refers to systematic practices that reduce cognitive biases and improve decision-making in cybersecurity. This chapter outlines how flawed human judgment—driven by optimism bias, availability heuristics, and overconfidence—can lead to serious vulnerabilities. Drawing on behavioral economics and cognitive psychology, it introduces frameworks like dual-system thinking, structured decision models, and reflective practices. These tools help cybersecurity teams make more consistent, informed, and objective choices under uncertainty. This chapter also explores how decision hygiene improves operational resilience, particularly in remote work environments where distractions and digital fatigue amplify risk.