Security vs Usability: Keeping Balance and Choosing Provider

There's a lingering notion in some tech circles that upholding strong security standards comes at the cost of user satisfaction. Conversely, there's also a misconception that user-friendly products aren't as secure by default.

What's the actual state of affairs? Can security & usability coexist, and what are providers doing about it? Read on to explore this intriguing and divisive topic in more detail.

The modern, constantly evolving digital landscape puts the usability vs. security debate at the forefront of any software development project. On the one hand, there’s an objective increase in the need for strong cybersecurity measures, even for simple applications.

Most forms of cyberattack, from malware through data breaches to crypto-jacking, are setting new records year after year. The most spectacular among them exposes the accounts, personal, medical, or financial information of thousands of individuals.

Such a development doesn’t go unnoticed. Companies and the public are increasingly more aware of the need for vigilance. Accordingly, strong security features are a necessity and increasingly a selling point when marketing services & software to an informed, concerned audience.

On the other hand, users have become far more demanding when it comes to seamless interaction with technology. While always on developers' minds, usability wasn't as crucial a few decades ago when enthusiasts didn't mind typing in commands or tinkering with obscure settings.

Generally, modern technology strives to cater to the broadest possible audience. Therefore, usability has become a top metric in ensuring customer satisfaction. In this context, usability is a blend of how straightforward a program or service is to use and the experience it offers.

For example, if you have two streaming services with similarly user-friendly interfaces, the one with a larger catalog and better responsiveness will likely be more popular.

Unsurprisingly, these two contrasting philosophies (security & usability) create friction. The trick is to figure out how much hassle most users are willing to go through while ensuring the service doesn't pose a cybersecurity risk.

While each emphasizes different requirements, security and usability are neither opposites nor mutually exclusive. Accounting for both takes more forethought & planning. However, providers end up with more robust and competitive offerings.

Even before development starts, it’s crucial to understand whom the product is being made for. Should it cater to everyone or technologically savvy users? Will people mainly use it as an app on their phones or a cloud service from their desktop computers?

Adopting a user-centric approach from the get-go helps providers avoid preconceptions and design pitfalls. Conducting surveys and testing different iterations will provide the guidelines needed to make it more intuitive.

A common mistake developers make is to start addressing security features after having created everything else. This makes security feel like a perfunctory afterthought. Even worse, Users will respond negatively if security measures feel tacked on and require many steps.

Security by design is a principle that insists on integrating cybersecurity from the beginning of any development cycle. That way, security becomes a core part of the design. More facets of security can run in the background, keeping users safe without inconveniencing them.

A comprehensive access hierarchy is a must when creating enterprise software. It’s also an excellent example of how security and usability can coexist in harmony.

A stratified user base benefits everyone. On the one hand, users with fewer permissions have limited options, so the tasks they’re allowed to do are easier to accomplish. On the other, such a system promotes accountability and makes it easier to pinpoint insider attacks.

Authentication is a common pain point that makes users hesitant to try new solutions. Developers should never compromise account safety, but they can speed up the authentication process.

One way is to use multi-factor authentication apps where users don't have to wait for an SMS to get their verification code. Biometrics are a popular alternative.

An app development company can create customized multi-factor authentication solutions tailored to the specific needs of businesses and users alike.

Sometimes, there's no getting around features or UI elements that not everyone will grasp immediately. Rather than shy away from them, providers should give users opportunities to educate themselves.

This can be a help file, an online FAQ, or even a (series of) video tutorial(s) if the feature warrants a deeper explanation.

The finest examples of secure yet usable services come from the cybersecurity niche itself. They're interesting since they embody the principles discussed above while contributing to a net positive of users’ overall online security.

Asking for a username & password to create an account is the bare minimum. One or two wouldn't be annoying, but we juggle so many that people are fed up. Many don't bother creating unique logins anymore. This can be disastrous since a single data breach may compromise a slew of someone's high-priority accounts.

Password managers simplify the experience by design. They securely store hundreds of passwords, PINs, and other valuable bits of info. You can export all the passwords your browser saves and fill password fields in automatically. There are great password managers both for MacOS and Windows, and most have desktop & mobile apps, so you retain access to all accounts wherever you are.

Most importantly, managers deal with password burnout by generating strong and unique alternatives. Initial setup & password changes might take a while, depending on the size of your vault, but it’s smooth sailing from then on.

VPNs tackle one of the most damaging threats to online security – compromised internet connections. Public Wi-Fi is the worst offender, given how easy it is to hijack and use to get to one's data. Home & business networks are more secure but lack anonymity.

The encrypted tunnel a VPN creates between the initial internet connection and your online destination guarantees privacy while protecting your activities from snooping or attacks. A VPN may even block sites known to contain malware and other dangers.

Given how many vital services VPNs perform, you'd think they'd be complicated. In reality, once you choose the most suitable option of the ones you can explore on Reddit’s VPN comparison table, you just pick a server and hit connect. The VPN works in the background from then on, leaving most users to forget it's on in the first place.

Digital solutions don’t need to have lax security to be usable and vice versa. Now that you know the hallmarks of good security & user-centric design, you can start choosing more providers & services that compromise on neither.