A General Framework of Human Trust in Networks

In order to achieve the Army’s vision of network centric warfare (NCW), Soldiers must effectively and efficiently interact with tactical networks to maintain information dominance and complete mission objectives. Soldiers must possess a sufficient amount of trust in networks for adequate mission performance. We are investigating human trust in tactical networks by establishing a theoretical framework for analysis and an approach for validation of the framework. We identify reliability and availability as network parameters that define the relationship between quality of service performance and human trust in networks. A general framework is being developed for human trust in networks, which combines singular elements of trust that results in a composite measure of trust. We also present experiments simulating mission scenarios that require situational awareness that will test the validity of the human trust framework. First, we examine the effect that the variation of a single network parameter has on the behavior of human trust in network. Second, we propose similar experiments to determine human trust in network behavior to verify the composite network parameter concept. With proper modeling of such relationships between humans and tactical networks, optimal network design with respect to network utility to the Soldier is possible.