لقِّحوا أطفالكم لا ينفع الندم
Do you remember this quote? This is what I call a strong awareness title that effectively reached its target audience, and this is how we should all address Cyber Security.
But why is it not the case?
- Because we don't know what we don't know
- Because if things are working doesn't mean they are working securely
- Because if things are working securely doesn't mean they will always work securely
- Because most internauts see cyber security only through their narrow Facebook and Gmail eyepiece
- Because we waste our time reading useless articles and clickbaits that drag us away from the important topics
- Because we think that no one knows us, therefore no one will hack us ("Know your enemies and know yourself" - The Art of War, Sun Tzu)
Away from social media pollution, Human Security and Cyber Security are two conjoint concepts where messing up with one can cause devastating repercussions over the whole system. An online misstep is able to dive us into the darkness of:
- accidently disclosing secret information to the public
- losing important data
- or simply not having them upon need.
When we walk down the street, we are always aware of our expensive belongings in our pockets, this is how surfing the internet must be. Understanding the risks associated with being online can always help secure personal information and prevent identity theft and fraud.
It is always harder for Non-IT people, at the same time they are the most targeted people. How many times have you neglected e-mails from that "Nigerian Prince"? believe it or not, many people out there are still falling for this, and it might happen to your parents and kids too. Non-IT users (who are the most needing for security perception) are not usually captured by Traditional IT security awareness.
Nobody cares about your personal Cyber Security
Most Cyber Security firms have modeled their businesses based on the banking sector, because that sector has the money, because money has a tangible monetary value, but no one cares about your personal Cyber Security because you bring them no money, you actually bring them more money when you are less aware and you will bring them even more money when you pay them to enlighten you.
Even though millions of dollars are budgeted every year for security in banks, at least one breach occurs every month, yet always undisclosed and unreported. Most banks' shareholders are oldschool business gurus who still rely on technology to reach security, they totally overlook that an effective security awareness for their employees with few thousands of bucks can save them millions.
Are you scared? ...and now?
This post is not intended to scare you, but you should be aware and spread awareness, you should look over your wallet while walking down the street with the same psyche you surf the net. Security Awareness should be taught in schools and universities. Everybody is responsible, bring awareness to your entourage including family, kids and friends, because a breach from their side can affect you, they might actually be used to (b)reach you. Everybody might get hacked with no exception including hackers themselves, and I will be doing my part using this platform by tackling many aspects of security from our daily cyber life. Stay tuned!
While not all diseases can be prevented, لقِّحوا أطفالكم لا ينفع الندم
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