{"id":13852,"date":"2021-02-25T10:32:59","date_gmt":"2021-02-25T09:32:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.codemotion.com\/magazine\/?p=13852"},"modified":"2022-03-19T09:53:35","modified_gmt":"2022-03-19T08:53:35","slug":"ux-design-enhance-data-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.codemotion.com\/magazine\/frontend\/design-ux\/ux-design-enhance-data-security\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Ways to Use UX Design to Enhance User Data Security"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

UX design and cybersecurity are not mutually exclusive. While data privacy and ensuring security <\/a>in each line of your code should be an ethical consideration for UX designers, it\u2019s also a matter of building trust among your customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Users trade their personal information with websites or mobile apps in exchange for a digital product. They expect this information to be handled with integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UX isn\u2019t just design and flow. A website with severe data security flaws will not be able to build the trust that\u2019s central to maintaining strong customer engagement. Security thus needs to be embedded in your web design<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data breaches exposed 36 billion records<\/a> in the first half of 2020, so data security is a real concern. One of the biggest challenges in interface design is to reconcile UX and security, but it is possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good UX design can make or break a brand, while failed data security strategies have led to the fall of many organizations. Using UX to design your security gateways will ensure your users have an experience that does not disappoint them in terms of either convenience or the safety of their data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the number of businesses migrating to cloud<\/a> increasing exponentially, data safety is now more important than ever before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The user is the one left wanting in the misperceived dichotomy of the two camps i.e. UX and data security. One strives for better design; the other, for security. But businesses and their customers shouldn\u2019t be forced to choose between a superior user experience or a secure one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While 88%<\/a> of users are less likely to return to a website after a bad user experience, 75%<\/a> of organizations don\u2019t have the technology or security procedures to prevent potential cyber-attacks. However, UX and security is not a zero-sum game. You can have a product that maximizes both. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are seven ways you can use a UX design to improve the data security picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t

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  1. 1.\u00a0 Encourage Safety Through UX<\/a>
  2. 2.\u00a0 Simplify Authentication<\/a>
  3. 3.\u00a0 Minimise Complexity<\/a>
  4. 5.\u00a0 Make Users Aware of Phishing Attacks<\/a>
  5. 6.\u00a0 Design for Transparency<\/a>
  6. 7.\u00a0 Collect Less Data and Reduce the Number of Cookies<\/a>
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    1.<\/strong>  Encourage Safety Through UX<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Users are typically both active and attentive. Even if they\u2019re lazily browsing, however, there\u2019s still plenty of reason to make sure they\u2019re alerted to security risks. You can do this through a well thought out UX design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tell users that security is in place and remind them that you use SSL encryption. This will increase trust in your product and services<\/a>. Implement features that encourage users to choose stronger passwords and remind them to give out as little personal information as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This micro-copy, visible when users create passwords, should encourage more secure selections. Rather than forcing users to create a strong password with one upper case letter, two special characters, and a number, tell them why it\u2019s important to have a carefully picked out password. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You need to trust your customers to know the importance of securing their data. If the risk is made clear, they\u2019ll be motivated to create a stronger password.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Make security notifications intuitive and meaningful. If the security measures require an extra step, tell your users why. Show your design expertise. Instead of a long security document, provide brief statements using copy and graphics to make the interaction enjoyable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If users complete the task, use pictures and text to applaud their commitment to security and tenacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2.<\/strong>  Simplify Authentication<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Security flows are the most disliked elements of UX. Logging in, remembering your passwords, two-step authentications, captcha etc. These are definitely not user friendly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Users want minimal fuss, and two-step authentications are time-consuming and downright annoying. They\u2019re a great cybersecurity measure, but they could be improved with an eye to UX.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A single sign-in is a great way to enhance the user experience. You can still use two-factor authentication when credit card or financial information is being inputted, but for regular sign-ins where minimal data is collected, a single sign-in may be better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Instead of a complex and time-consuming authentication, UX designers<\/a> can use links sent to the emails used to sign into the website. An example would be peer to peer video conferencing<\/a>. Once the link to the meeting is sent to your email, you don\u2019t need to sign in again to join. The link is authentication enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A complex CAPTCHA can ruin your UX. Trying to prove they\u2019re not a robot will quickly come to annoy your users, and they might decide not to return to your webpage. Instead, look into other options. CAPTCHA technology is evolving apace, and there are now less cumbersome but equally effective alternatives out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3.<\/strong>  Minimise Complexity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Technical jargon is a deal-breaker. A good UX designer knows that design revolves around the user understanding it and seamlessly cruising through. If at any point you must tell the user about a security risk, it\u2019s best to do so in the simplest language possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Provide a straightforward explanation of how a security measure works in layman\u2019s terms. Think of how technicalities might be interpreted by the user before you put them down. Don\u2019t use vague terms that may make users circumvent security features, but tell them simply what the problem is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    44%<\/a> of people think that easier security measures would make their organization more secure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A well-designed UX platform that embeds security and follows the UX standard is more likely to succeed compared to a poorly designed one. A usable interface inspires confidence and looks safer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Clearly pointing out features that offer security protection instead of just having them there will also make users feel safer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4.<\/strong>  Address Frequently Breached UX Areas To Build Trust<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To truly meet the security needs of users, designers and data security experts need to sit together and understand the users\u2019 intentions, behaviors, and expectations. Using collaboration tools for design teams<\/a>, they can navigate through the design aspects while anticipating the risks involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Ignoring stakeholders doubles the risk. Privacy needs to be built into your design by default.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Your product needs to be usable, desirable, accessible, and safe. You must test it for usability and security. The best tools for user research and user testing utilize screen sharing software<\/a> that captures in-site feedback. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Identify security holes and take action accordingly instead of having a product so secure it isn\u2019t usable. Security measures need to be embedded into the design in its initial stage and throughout the life cycle of the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To accomplish this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n