Job analysis and cognitive task analysis in national security environments

Abstract

The critical cyber-infrastructure of the United States is under a constant barrage of attacks. Adversaries (foreign and domestic) attack the nation’s systems in order to test their design and limits; to steal information (spy); to damage the system; and embed malware which can be deployed at a later time. The ability of the United States’ military and federal civilian departments to detect, delay, and respond to these attacks is essential to our national security. Identifying the best personnel to place in these critical occupations requires understanding the knowledge, skills, abilities and other factors (KSAOs) necessary to successfully complete important job tasks. It is also beneficial to understand the cognitive aspects of the job and when cognitive load is too high; when cognitive fatigue is setting in; and how these affect job performance. These factors are identified and measured by Industrial-Organizational (I-O) psychologists using the methods of job analysis and cognitive task analysis.