PERSONAS

Charles Isenhour

Demographics

Male

31 years old

Single

Atlanta, GA

Employment

IT at CNN

Education

B.S. in Computer Science from Georgia Tech

Computer Competence

Technical, crypto expert. Very comfortable with the idea of encryption and the process behind it. Works with large computer systems at work and runs linux on his personal machine.

Concerns

Very conscious of security at all times. Already uses PGP and other similar methods to communicate, but would prefer something easier to use if it offered equal or greater security. Primarily concerned with the strength of the security provided and needs proof of said strength.

Linda Beal

Demographics

Female

23 years old

Single

Norwalk, CT

Employment

Human Resources Recruiter at Maxaprofit

Education

Bachelor degree in business from NYU

Computer Competence

Technical, but not a crypto expert.

Uses computers and various programs regularly as part of her job and socially. Needs to transmit sensitive data related to recruiting job candidates.

Concerns

Understands the need for security and is willing to do a little extra work, but is not willing to expend a huge amount of effort to achieve it. Primarily concerned with ease of use.

Kathryn Whitley

Demographics

Female

Married

Boca Raton, FL

Employment

Stay at home mom

Education

B.A. in English from University of Mississippi

Computer Competence

Non-technical, motivated to security. Uses computers for little more than social media and her gmail account. Often requires help from her children to do more advanced things. She has become concerned about security from recent news stories, and wants to keep her emails about her children private.

Concerns

Wants security, but doesn’t know how to get it and will be confused by any user facing encryption. Has the motivation to attempt to overcome confusion, but likely doesn’t have the technical ability to overcome it.

Susan McDonald

Demographics

Female

31 years old

married

Dallas, TX

Employment

Secretary at GE Capital

Education

Highschool

Computer Competence

Non-technical, unmotivated. Comfortable using email, browsers, and MS Office, but not much more. Required to use grdme when communicating with others at work, but is resistant to the new requirement

Concerns

Ease of use and simplicity. If it is not intuitive and simple, she will not be happy.