“Making cybersecurity more approachable is our work.”
“Making cybersecurity more approachable is our work.”
23.8.2024
Overcoming intimidation: Making cybersecurity approachable
Cybersecurity plays an important role in making our everyday life secure, yet many people perceive it as an overwhelmingly complex, distant, and irrelevant field. This perception creates a seemingly impenetrable barrier to understanding and implementing even basic security measures that could protect individuals and their data. The Cyber Citizen project was initiated to address this challenge by making cybersecurity more accessible and engaging for everyone. Our goal is to demystify cybersecurity and empower individuals to take control of their daily lives.
Cybersecurity is often shrouded in technical terms and concepts that can be confusing to the uninitiated. Terms like “encryption,” “firewalls,” “phishing,” and “zero-day exploits” can sound like a foreign language to those not in the tech field. This complexity makes it seem inaccessible and daunting. Movies and TV shows also often depict cybersecurity as the realm of elite hackers or secretive government agencies, reinforcing the idea that it’s something only a few brilliant minds can handle.
Many people also believe that cybersecurity issues only affect large organisations or tech companies. This misconception leads to a false sense of security, where individuals think their personal data or small businesses are not targets for cyberattacks.
Bringing cybersecurity closer
Changing the perception of cybersecurity from something distant and difficult to an accessible and relevant part of everyday life is crucial. Cybersecurity should feel like a natural extension of our daily routines, much like locking our doors or wearing seatbelts. Many of the above problems can be addressed by following a few key approaches:
- Simplify the language
Breaking down complex cybersecurity concepts into simple, everyday language can help demystify the subject. Using analogies that relate to physical security, such as comparing a firewall to a locked door, can make these concepts more relatable.
Example: Explaining encryption as a method of locking and unlocking data with a special key, similar to how a padlock works, can make it easier to understand.
- Real-world examples
Sharing stories of real-life cyber incidents that have affected ordinary people can highlight the importance of cybersecurity. When individuals see that cyber threats can impact anyone, they are more likely to act to protect themselves.
Example: A small business owner might be motivated to improve their cybersecurity after learning about another small business that suffered a data breach due to weak passwords.
- Interactive learning
Interactive workshops, webinars, and online courses can make learning about cybersecurity more engaging. Hands-on activities where participants can practice securing their devices or recognising phishing attempts can reinforce the learning experience.
Example: Hosting a webinar where participants simulate identifying phishing emails and securing their home Wi-Fi networks can provide practical experience.
- Promote simple practices
Encouraging simple, actionable steps such as using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and regularly updating software can empower individuals to take control of their cybersecurity.
Example: Providing a checklist of daily cybersecurity habits, such as checking for software updates and using password managers, can help integrate these practices into daily routines.
Moving forward
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right approach, everyone can understand and implement basic security measures to protect themselves and their data. We want to provide a tool, such as the SecPort portal, which offers guidance and relevant information, and the Cyber City Tycoon mobile game, to help individuals make cybersecurity an integral and manageable part of their daily lives.
Stay updated by following our blog or the project’s LinkedIn account @Cyber Citizen to learn when the portal will be available.
Follow our project’s progress on LinkedIn @Cyber Citizen. The next blog will be out next week.
Kati Korhola, Communication Specialist
“It would be so much more difficult for me to make a living if people spent a bit of time learning about internet security.”
“It would be so much more difficult for me to make a living if people spent a bit of time learning about internet security.”
“It would be so much more difficult for me to make a living if people spent a bit of time learning about internet security.”