Grok Hackspeak? Communicating Cybersecurity With Figurative Language

Abstract

This paper investigates how non-experts understand figurative language created by computer scientists to describe cybersecurity incidents. Its method is informed by applied linguistics, crisis communication, and cybersecurity research. Using a set of cyberattack stories composed with figurative words and a set composed with more literal versions, and an online survey, the study examines whether the use of metaphor and neologism clarifies or obfuscates the technical aspects of cybersecurity for non-experts. The results showed participants in the literal set scored significantly better in comprehension. However, participants made important errors in both literal and figurative versions. This underlines the need for organizations to employ language strategically and provide more effective explanations of cybersecurity situations.