Cyber security is a collective effort

02-04-2024

Cybersecurity

In today's world, cybersecurity has become a booming topic among large companies. As you walk through the office corridors, it's common to hear terms like "ISO 27001," "CSO," and "secured systems," and with good reason. As our work becomes more digital, the risks associated with it are becoming clearer, prompting businesses to take action. Many companies are focusing on "locking down" their systems to prevent hackers from accessing them. While this is one important step in safeguarding corporate information, another crucial aspect is often overlooked: the human, more "soft" side of cybersecurity. You can secure your systems as much as possible, but if individuals handle information carelessly, progress remains limited. In this article, we delve deeper into the human aspect of cybersecurity and explore how to ensure that both people and technology can work harmoniously together.

Cybersecurity as Something New

For many, cybersecurity is a relatively new concept. Security used to be something needed only in the physical world, right? While you'd think people are beginning to realize that cybersecurity is truly important, we often hear the opposite. A common statement is:

"The way I’ve been doing things has never caused any problems, so why should I take those extra steps to secure a document?"

This attitude toward cybersecurity isn’t entirely surprising, given that for many, it’s still unfamiliar territory. The risks and importance of cybersecurity are not yet fully understood by many, which results in a lack of intrinsic motivation to take that extra step. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the importance of cybersecurity is clearly communicated. Once people grasp its significance, the shift toward better cybersecurity becomes easier, and they are more motivated to go the extra mile.

Cybersecurity in the Physical World

Once employees understand its importance, we must also recognize that cybersecurity is not confined to the digital realm. We need to think carefully about the intersection of the digital and physical worlds, where human curiosity often poses a risk. Some of the greatest dangers lie in practices like looking over someone’s shoulder at their screen, leaving notes out in the open, or leaving sensitive documents lying around. It’s not enough to simply encrypt your files; you also need to be mindful of the information you have in physical form. No one wants sensitive data—like new product designs or employee payslips—to be leaked because they were accidentally left by the printer, right? One relatively simple but impactful measure is the use of a print portal and authentication system. This requires users to log in on-site, making it less likely for documents to be left behind unintentionally.