Technology Guide

IT risks, costs of data breach, and the cyber attackers – these words are feared, not because they are known, but because they bring with them uncertainties. In business, such uncertainties are uncomfortable.

The lay-persons will naturally attempt to defy this uncomfortable thing but flinging it away to an IT expert. Of course, why let it bother you? Putting an IT or security-related issue at the hands of an expert solves everything, right?

Not so. The act of flinging the issue straight to an expert is a convenient solution, but not necessarily the best.

So, where goes the best way?

The best manner of coming across IT and security issues is through education. Educate yourself by trying to grab the basics of a systems integrated technology, tool, or process. Do not content yourself with knowing how to use it; rather, know what makes it tick.

This is achieved by attending those seminars that serve to induct prospective users about these technologies. You can also have the usual chat with your in-site IT folks. Ask questions and know what matters to you as a user, and to your IT professionals.

Such education will never be complete without tackling those aforementioned terms – IT risks, costs of data breach, and the cyber attackers. Instead of shying away from these topics, try to conquer that overwhelming feeling of incompetence. Rather, take that you can understand such concepts – but maybe, in a different and probably, incomplete way.

The point of taking yourself close to these feared IT terms is an understanding of the fact that IT and security – though designed to flawlessly work – is imperfect. Always, somewhere around its system, a risk stands proudly present.

Be wary of the malicious tinker

The ideal result of such point is the awareness that malicious people exist. They may be termed as cyber attackers; but that doesn’t mean that other sorts of people can’t do the same ill effects on your business’ IT and security section.

The clumsy employee besides your cube does have the potential. Even those ex-employees who wish to seek retribution can be a potential infiltrator. Taking stock that technologies and people present risks have a number of benefits, some of which are proffered below:
It helps you avoid the usual pitfalls (e.g., losing files, compromising data).
It could aid you in making well-informed decisions relevant to IT and security.
It shows you the bigger picture apart from your very own part (how data you’ve inputted is used and how other people from other departments use it, and how the IT folks treat it).

These benefits do not only serve to illustrate you as an IT-conscious employee; these can also positively influence your behaviour, particularly, your IT and security issues at home.

Don’t have to be alone

Finally, don’t ever think that you are alone in this campaign. Your IT folks will appreciate your “IT investments” and so will your peers (as they might not have to take every IT and security-related issue to the IT; they may consult you).

Instead of thinking that you’re in this alone, hang around peers whose also concern with the big elephant you collectively call, IT and security. Perhaps, not long – every single employee and manager will come receptive of these risk issues. And that culture of openness will thrive in peace and readiness.