Positive Thinking and Cybersecurity

Let's give it a chance!

As part of my own personal growth, I have been listening to “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale. I kinda wish I had read it long ago if we are being honest. Anyway, to that end, I am using the concepts to build a little side business to continue blending my passions of education and cybersecurity (you can learn more if you wish at goldshieldcyber.com.) It also started me thinking about trying to deploy a more regular approach to looking at cybersecurity from a more positive perspective.

Most of us in this realm realize that cyber threats continue to grow in sophistication, and businesses of all sizes are grappling with how to protect sensitive data (and sadly too many refuse to grapple with it - but that is a different post.) However, through the lens of positive thinking, maybe we can shift from a mindset of fear and reaction to one of empowerment, preparation, and confidence. Let’s discuss how to get there…

The Power of Positive Thinking in Cybersecurity

• Shifting the Mindset from Fear to Opportunity
  Rather than approaching cybersecurity from a place of fear, I hope to encourage potential clients (I prefer to call them partners) to see it as an opportunity. This is an opportunity to demonstrate leadership in protecting their critical information, building trust with their customers, employees, and associates, and staying ahead of the curve in this current cyber environment. My hope is positive thinking can help businesses transform their cybersecurity challenges (or ignored deficiencies) into an asset that can help them feel more secure against the cyber threats they face and the cyber risks they are currently dealing with (or perhaps ignoring.)

• Empowering Action Instead of Worrying about Threats
  With the constant onslaught of cyber threats, it’s easy for many to feel overwhelmed. But maybe, through positive thinking, we can focus on what we can do rather than what might happen. This mindset could translate into actionable steps: risk assessments, cyber education, and proactive monitoring of digital spaces like the dark web. I am hoping my little venture can help businesses take charge of their digital defenses and feel empowered to tackle the threats head-on.

Creating A Solution Built on Optimism

I am working on a mission statement (this post is kind of the first step) by blending decades of investigative expertise, education, and social media posts (hey, it is the 2020s) with a forward-thinking and positive spinning approach to cybersecurity. But it’s not just about solving problems—it’s about creating lasting solutions that inspire confidence. Here’s how I hope help our potential partners move from anxiety to support:

• Proactive Cyber Risk Assessments
  Rather than waiting for a breach to occur, let’s assess your vulnerabilities now and put systems in place to mitigate risk. This stance, driven by the belief that every business can be cyber-secure, can empower potential partners to operate with peace of mind.

• Education and Training
  Positive thinking also translates into positive action. Through training programs, businesses and individuals can adopt a mindset of readiness and resilience (ok, I know that is a cyber buzzword, but thesaurus.com didn’t give me a viable option.) Cyber education isn’t just about defense; it’s about understanding the threats targeting you!

• Risk Mitigation: Identifying vulnerabilities within a partner’s digital infrastructure can help prevent breaches before they occur, safeguarding sensitive information and minimizing the financial loss due to a data breach ($4 million on average.)

Case Study: The Power of Positivity in Cyber Investigations

I recently helped my local church assess its current cyber threat posture. I created my own baseline cyber risk assessment that blended concepts from NIST and CIS into 10 controls that I argue help a partner understand some basics. Because if they aren’t doing these, they aren’t likely doing the more complex stuff (and we gotta start somewhere.) I think they were shocked at how much they had to fix (well, their IT guy wasn’t but I helped leadership understand kind of what he had been saying for some time.) I then developed a 2-3 month road map for basic risk mitigation items they needed to pursue to start down the road to a more positive cyber posture. They hope to include additional items in 2025. They will be the most cyber smart Church in Huntsville. All the while we approached this from a more positive perspective, and they are better now for it.

Building a Cyber-Secure Future with Optimism

The combination of a positive outlook and a robust cybersecurity strategy provides more than just protection—it builds a future where businesses and individuals can feel more secure in their digital environemt. As threats continue to evolve, those who are prepared and confident, I hope, will lead the way. Positive thinking empowers businesses and individuals to make informed decisions, proactively invest in cybersecurity (because this initial investment is a heck of a lot cheaper than waiting for a breach to occur) and prepare an environment where cybersecurity becomes a driver of success, not a potential for failure.

Conclusion: Choosing a Positive Path Forward

I know for many businesses and individuals cybersecurity doesn’t have to be daunting. By combining a positive mindset with proactive cybersecurity partnerships (either mine or someone else) partners can turn challenges into opportunities. As we navigate this cyber future, remember that staying secure is as much about your mindset as it is about the tools you use. Choose optimism. Choose action. Choose to build a future where your business and clients can thrive securely.

Call to Action:
I would love to hear your thoughts on this, good, bad, or otherwise.

If you are interested in combining cybersecurity with positive thinking, feel free to reach out to me for a discussion. Perhaps together, we can develop a positive cyber mindset for your family, your business, or yourself.

darren@goldshieldcyber.com