Positive Paths To Safety

It’s really important to discuss cybersecurity risks and threats, but we must also accompany that discussion with a clear and positive path to resolution.

If we only present the negative side, the problem can seem too complex, too expensive, and too difficult to resolve. It can feel overwhelming for the business involved so the threat and the resolution often get pushed down the line and never addressed. As and industry we often forget just how many hats business owners wear, and that cybersecurity is just one of ninety-nine problems.

We can learn a bit from an alternative discipline like whitewater kayaking. It’s extremely dangerous but also thrilling and enjoyable. It can be safely managed through training, safety equipment, and clear communication. In practice, we learn to read the river and respond accordingly. We also learn to detect issues and dangers and respond to those as well. Some basic hazards, like rocks and trees, are always going to be there, no matter what. To address this, we have standard safety equipment that we always wear.

In a high-adrenaline situation, where it’s noisy and busy, we rely on simple and powerful communication, such as hand signals. The default shifts from talking about dangers to focusing on safety. Among all paddlers, it’s agreed that all hand signals will be positive, always pointing to safety.

For example, when a kayaker rounds a bend and spots a tree down, they don’t discuss the tree, the threat, or the danger. Instead, they give a clear signal to everyone else that points the way to safety.

That example might seem simple, but in a dangerous situation, it is incredibly reassuring to have a competent person pointing you to safety. This principle is something we can bring into cybersecurity. Yes, we need to discuss threats and risks, but we should always accompany that discussion with a clear path to safety.

If you’d like to discuss cybersecurity in a practical and positive manner, contact me John at cybersmart.ie