What is the layer 8 issue?

The ‘layer 8 issue’ is a funny way to describe user error when dealing with tech­no­logy. However, these errors can have serious con­sequences and IT pro­fes­sion­als should take them seriously.

The layer 8 issue and the OSI model

The OSI model (Open Systems In­ter­con­nec­tion Model) is a layer model which regulates and stand­ard­ises network com­mu­nic­a­tion. The model was developed in 1984 by the In­ter­na­tion­al Or­gan­iz­a­tion for Stand­ard­iz­a­tion (ISO) and consists of seven layers:

1. Physical layer: Describes the mech­an­ic­al, elec­tric­al, or func­tion­al interface where data trans­mis­sion occurs.
2. Data link layer: Ensures a protected con­nec­tion is es­tab­lished between the trans­mis­sion medium and the end device.
3. Network layer: Fa­cil­it­ates data transfer between networks and forwards packets to nodes one by one if needed.
4. Transport layer: Re­spons­ible for avoiding con­ges­tion and breaks data down into smaller units to make it easier to send.
5. Session layer: Organises the con­nec­tion and com­mu­nic­a­tion between two terminals and opens or closes the trans­mis­sion.
6. Present­a­tion layer: Prepares data so it can be used by the ap­plic­a­tion layer.
7. Ap­plic­a­tion layer: Describes services and ap­plic­a­tions and connects to lower layers.

Problems can arise at every level. This can lead to errors during trans­mis­sion or im­me­di­ately af­ter­wards. However, errors are more commonly found on the user end, as opposed to in the model. IT experts like to jokingly refer to faulty trans­mis­sion or other com­plic­a­tions due to incorrect use as a ‘layer 8 issue’.

What exactly is the layer 8 issue?

The layer 8 issue describes problems with the software where the user is the problem. Sometimes the term is meant in a polite way, or it is also used as an in-joke to express frus­tra­tion with the user. However, the layer 8 issue has a very serious back­ground. This is because using it in­cor­rectly can open the door to scams such as social en­gin­eer­ing, phishing, smishing, vishing or spear phishing. Criminals can take advantage of human errors to fin­an­cially damage companies, au­thor­it­ies and private in­di­vidu­als or paralyse important in­fra­struc­tures.

The layer 8 issue is not part of the OSI model. It tech­nic­ally exists outside the seven layers, but it should still be taken seriously when it comes to computer and network security. It is up to in­di­vidu­als whether they want to describe errors as ‘human error’ or as a ‘layer 8 issue’.

What can prevent a layer 8 issue?

However, the layer 8 issue is not just for IT experts to worry about. Companies and private users should inform them­selves on how to increase their systems’ security. For example, this might include optimal password pro­tec­tion, being cautious when opening unknown emails or handling sensitive data con­fid­en­tially. Human error can be sig­ni­fic­antly reduced if devices are kept up to date and users are trained in how to use new tech­no­logy.