Investing 99 Cents May Save Your Business
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” – Albert Einstein.
Clarity
Organizations have been concerned about human error and mistakes that lead to security breaches for a long time. Surveys often reveal that business leaders are discouraged by the complexity of cybersecurity. The feeling of hopelessness in fighting the hackers has been exacerbated by artificial intelligence and machine learning.
We are seeing scenarios that raise questions about AI for Good versus AI for Evil. This is not Star Wars, this is real life. In password cracking, cybercriminals use Large Language Models (LLMs), a type of generative AI, to speed up and level up the time-intensive guessing game. Bad actors use machine learning algorithms, particularly generative adversarial networks (GANs) to create video deepfakes that mimic our faces and use AI to mimic someone’s voice by training on recordings of their speech patterns in voice cloning.
During a recent webinar, one participant asked me about the meaning of cybersecurity. According to Merriam-Webster, cybersecurity (noun) means protecting a computer or computer system (as on the Internet) against unauthorized access or attack.
Then, he asked me if we could take action to protect our security apart from technology. Indeed, you can. Here is a simple, relatable scenario. When you leave your home, do you leave your doors and windows open or unlocked? If not, you are taking control of your security by acting responsibly. Are you functioning with the same level of security and responsibility when working online?
Human Error
CISO Magazine reported on a joint study in 2022 from Stanford University Professor Jeff Hancock and security firm Tessian, Psychology of Human Error, revealing that employees’ mistakes cause nine in ten (88%) data breach incidents.
As I mentioned in my book, 33 Ways Not To Screw Up Cybersecurity, #1 Way: Human Error – the Wake-Up Call, “Business leaders need to embrace a cyber-secure culture encouraging the entire staff to learn, practice, and improve.”
Here is the problem: Hackers are winning.
Here are some solutions (i.e., Ways addressed in my book):
• Use strong, unique passwords — #4 Way
• Use multi-factor authentication — #5 Way
• Patch and update your software — #14 Way
• Increase Cybersecurity Awareness Training (e.g., think before you click) — #33 Way
If this sounds familiar, or simple, that’s good — you are aware of and hopefully follow basic cyber hygiene.
Book Promotion
Today is your last chance to purchase my book, 33 Ways No To Screw Up Cybersecurity, for 99 cents to kick off Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 (until 11:59 pm PT October 3rd).
I appreciate book reviews to spread the word. Here is a Five-Star Review by Carmen Marsh, President & CEO at United Cybersecurity Alliance (Europe, US, Middle East & Japan) | Global Council for Responsible AI:
“Fantastic Handbook – Comprehensive, yet simple to follow!
Dawn has found a way to make her book a true guide – a handy book of advice anyone can benefit from. There are many books on the market about the cyber threats we all face in this digitally connected world, but most of them are simply too complicated to be useful.
I give this book five stars because of the language that is easily consumable by people at the different knowledge levels. It is comprehensive yet very helpful and simple to implement – full of tips and tricks to think of the cybersecurity in every way.
I highly recommend this book – you won’t regret it!”
Thank you, Carmen! Be sure to follow Carmen Marsh on LinkedIn to learn about her outstanding contributions to the global cybersecurity community.
Every day, the cybersecurity community makes the effort, with top experts and individuals, working to make our digital world safer and more secure. Every step you take toward cybersecurity awareness and action is appreciated. There is hope in action!
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