“Technology wasn’t at fault - the human use of it was” – Cyber security expert explains how easily human mistakes can undermine even the best technical safeguards
The security leak involving some of America’s most senior officials and their military plans, shocked the world earlier this week.
Atlantic magazine editor-in-chief Jeffery Goldberg had been inadvertently added to a group chat that reportedly exposed him to classified military plans, including weapons packages and targets.
The incident, which is being played down by those involved, but described by others as a major breech of security, has raised many questions about the appropriateness of the technology being used. Professor Oli Buckley, an expert in cyber security whose research has a strong focus on the human aspects of security, explains how even the most secure technology can’t protect against user error.
“The recent leak involving senior U.S. officials accidentally including a journalist in a Signal group chat highlights a critical issue in cyber security - the technology wasn’t at fault, the human use of it was. Signal remains one of the most secure encrypted messaging apps available and is widely used by journalists, diplomats and activists for precisely that reason. However, even the most secure tool can’t protect against user error, like adding the wrong participant to a sensitive conversation.
“The real risk here is not about Signal’s encryption, but about how easily human mistakes can undermine even the best technical safeguards. This kind of misstep, especially at such a high level, raises concerns about operational security culture and whether similar errors could occur elsewhere.
“Now that the story is public, there’s an increased risk of adversaries attempting to exploit such informal communication channels or using social engineering to gain access. It’s a powerful reminder that security isn’t just technical, it’s procedural, cultural, and deeply human.”
To arrange an interview with Professor Buckley, email publicrelations@lboro.ac.uk.
Notes for editors
Press release reference number: 25/47
About Loughborough University
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme and named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2025 QS World University Rankings – the ninth year running.
Loughborough is ranked 6th in The UK Complete University Guide 2025, 10th in the Guardian University League Table 2025 and 10th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
Loughborough was also named University of the Year for Sport in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 - the fourth time it has been awarded the prestigious title.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’, and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
“Technology wasn’t at fault - the human use of it was” – Cyber security expert explains how easily human mistakes can undermine even the best technical safeguards
The security leak involving some of America’s most senior officials and their military plans, shocked the world earlier this week.
Atlantic magazine editor-in-chief Jeffery Goldberg had been inadvertently added to a group chat that reportedly exposed him to classified military plans, including weapons packages and targets.
The incident, which is being played down by those involved, but described by others as a major breech of security, has raised many questions about the appropriateness of the technology being used. Professor Oli Buckley, an expert in cyber security whose research has a strong focus on the human aspects of security, explains how even the most secure technology can’t protect against user error.
“The recent leak involving senior U.S. officials accidentally including a journalist in a Signal group chat highlights a critical issue in cyber security - the technology wasn’t at fault, the human use of it was. Signal remains one of the most secure encrypted messaging apps available and is widely used by journalists, diplomats and activists for precisely that reason. However, even the most secure tool can’t protect against user error, like adding the wrong participant to a sensitive conversation.
“The real risk here is not about Signal’s encryption, but about how easily human mistakes can undermine even the best technical safeguards. This kind of misstep, especially at such a high level, raises concerns about operational security culture and whether similar errors could occur elsewhere.
“Now that the story is public, there’s an increased risk of adversaries attempting to exploit such informal communication channels or using social engineering to gain access. It’s a powerful reminder that security isn’t just technical, it’s procedural, cultural, and deeply human.”
To arrange an interview with Professor Buckley, email publicrelations@lboro.ac.uk.
Notes for editors
Press release reference number: 25/47
About Loughborough University
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme and named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2025 QS World University Rankings – the ninth year running.
Loughborough is ranked 6th in The UK Complete University Guide 2025, 10th in the Guardian University League Table 2025 and 10th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
Loughborough was also named University of the Year for Sport in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 - the fourth time it has been awarded the prestigious title.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’, and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
