Usable Privacy and Security Research

This course introduces students to both the theory and practice of designing user-centered privacy and security systems, with an emphasis on empirical research. You will learn to plan and conduct behavioral studies — ranging from lab and field experiments to interviews and surveys — that shed light on how users interact with privacy and security features. As part of the class, you will complete IRB training, design and run pilot studies, read and present classic papers in the field, analyze qualitative and quantitative data, and apply evidence-based insights to improve system usability. By the end of this course, you will gain practical skills for building more secure and privacy-protective software.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Develop skills for reading research papers, evaluating their findings, and identifying their limitations.
• Identify human factors issues that impact the security and privacy of systems.
• Improve communication, collaboration, and leadership skills through multiple assignments and class presentations.
• Increase technical knowledge of various security domains through discussion and presentation of research findings in usable security and privacy.
• Learn multiple experimental approaches to evaluating human factors issues in security and privacy.

Previously listed as CYBER W215. Before Fall 2025, this course was titled “Usable Privacy and Security.”