A Novel Approach to Training on Human Errors Underlying Security Incidents
Abstract Human errors and their safety- or security- consequences often result from unsuitable systems- and personnel- characteristics. Only by identifying the conditions that make errors more likely can we develop effective strategies to eliminate errors and their adverse impacts. The US Department of Energy (DOE) initiated a program to determine if system-induced human errors could also be contributing factors to security incidents. As a foundation for this work, the Enhanced Security Through Human Error Reduction (ESTHER) program at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) produced a contributing factors data set and systems categorization for security related incidents attributed to human error. This material supports the development and delivery of training for security incident inquiry officials. While LANL’s initial work focused on classroom training, a collaborative effort between LANL and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has focused on delivering an interactive web-based training application that provides instruction on and practice in employing ESTHER principles. The ESTHER e-Learning application uses cognitive-based instructional design principles to engage the learner in interactive, realistic, problem-centered activity implemented within a guided-discovery framework. Through this novel approach to computer-based instruction, the DOE will enhance the ability of its inquiry officials to meet their performance and reporting responsibilities. Ultimately, it is hoped, this program will lead to areduction in the number of security incidents across the DOE complex. This paper reviews the human error background for this research program and describes the guided-discovery computer-based training approach.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 965618
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-46308; RH0508040; TRN: US200920%%363
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Human Performance Improvement Workshop; the First Steps to Excellence in Performance, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, September 14-15, 2005, 9 pages
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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