Background

I’m Ashlyn Van Gorkom, a second-year psychology student with a minor in computer science at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. I focus on the behavioral side of cybersecurity and fraud prevention, emphasizing how human decision-making, risk communication, and education shape people’s perceptions, processing, and responses to scams.

Why Behavioral Cybersecurity

I approach cybersecurity from a behavioral perspective, as many cybercrimes succeed by manipulating human decision-making. Strategies such as increasing cognitive load and leveraging urgency, trust, and social influence contribute to the widespread impact of scams each year. Understanding these psychological mechanisms is essential for informing prevention efforts, investigative approaches, and policy development.

Current Work

I currently volunteer with the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, supporting IT efforts for public-facing tools and contributing to the County’s Cyber Lab at a high level. Alongside this, I serve as the Community Outreach Lead for Cal Poly’s Security Education Club, where I connect the club with community partners such as Crime Stoppers and lead scam-prevention education for students.

Approach

I approach this work with an emphasis on ethical responsibility, discretion, and evidence-based practice. I’m especially interested in translating research into practical tools that reduce harm while respecting privacy, legal boundaries, and the human impact of cybercrime.

Future Directions

Long-term, I’m interested in research-driven roles at the federal level that integrate behavioral science into cybersecurity and public service. I’m particularly drawn to work focused on designing prevention and education tools informed by human decision-making, while also supporting investigative efforts through a behavioral lens.