Cybersecurity—my perspective as an IT specialist

As an IT specialist who works with complex systems every day, cybersecurity is not just a topic for me—it is a mindset. In this article I want to share my view of IT security—beyond technical jargon and fear-mongering.

Cybersecurity is more than technology

When people talk cybersecurity, they think firewalls, encryption, antivirus. Those tools matter, but they are only part of the puzzle.

Cybersecurity is fifty percent technology and fifty percent people.

Most incidents do not come from genius hackers but from human mistakes: a wrong click on a phishing link, a weak password, an unencrypted USB stick. The best technology helps nothing if people are not trained.

The balance between security and usability

One of the biggest dilemmas in cybersecurity is balancing security and usability. A system that is one hundred percent secure but unusable is useless. A system that is trivial to use but insecure is dangerous.

The answer is appropriate security:

Not every application needs two-factor authentication
Not every document must be encrypted
But critical systems and data must be protected

As an IT specialist I have to find that balance—for every system, every use case.

The illusion of absolute security

Something many people do not understand: there is no absolute security. Every system can be hacked; every encryption can be broken—it is a question of time and resources.

That does not mean we should give up. It means we should:

Assess risk: what is truly critical?
Layer defenses: not one security layer but several
Monitor: detect attacks early
Respond: be able to react quickly to incidents

The human component

As mentioned: most security issues come from human error. So training and awareness matter as much as technical controls.

Phishing

Phishing attacks keep getting smarter. It used to be obvious emails full of typos. Today phishing can look like real business mail.

What helps:

Regular training
Simulated phishing exercises
Building awareness without spreading panic

Passwords

Weak passwords are still a huge problem. “123456” and “password” are still on top-10 lists of common passwords.

What helps:

Use a password manager
Enable two-factor authentication
Rotate passwords when it makes sense (but not so often that people cheat)

Social engineering

Social engineering—manipulating people—is often more effective than technical attacks. A phone call pretending to be IT support can do more damage than a sophisticated hack.

What helps:

Awareness of social engineering
Clear processes for IT requests
Caution with unexpected requests

Technical measures

Technical controls matter too. Here are my priorities:

1. Updates and patches

Most attacks exploit known vulnerabilities that already have patches. Regular updates are critical.

Best practices:

Automatic updates where possible
Regular maintenance windows
Patch management systems

2. Encryption

Sensitive data should be encrypted—in transit (TLS) and at rest.

Best practices:

Encryption for all external connections
Encryption for mobile devices
Encryption for backups

3. Access control

Not everyone needs access to everything. Least privilege—only the rights people truly need—is fundamental.

Best practices:

Regular access reviews
Automatic deactivation of unused accounts
Role-based access control

4. Monitoring and logging

You can only protect what you can see. Monitoring and logging are essential for early detection.

Best practices:

Centralized log collection
Automated alerts for suspicious activity
Regular log review

5. Backups

Backups matter not only for data loss but for security. After a ransomware attack, backups are often the only way out.

Best practices:

Regular automated backups
Segregated backup storage (not on the same network)
Regular restore tests

The role of AI in cybersecurity

Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in cybersecurity:

Threat detection: AI spots anomalies faster than humans
Automated response: AI can react to threats automatically
Pattern recognition: AI recognizes attack patterns

But AI is not a silver bullet. It can help—and it can be abused. Attackers use AI too.

The future of cybersecurity

Cybersecurity will only grow in importance. With more digitalization, Internet of Things, and cloud, the attack surface expands.

Trends I see:

Zero Trust: no system is trusted by default anymore
Security by Design: security is built in from day one
Automation: more automated security controls
Regulation: more legal requirements (GDPR, etc.)

My personal approach

As an IT specialist I take a pragmatic approach to cybersecurity:

Assess risk: not everything is equally critical
Layer defenses: multiple security levels
Train people: technology alone is not enough
Monitor: early detection matters
Respond: fast reaction to incidents

I try not to panic, but not to be careless either. Appropriate security is the goal—not paranoia, but not recklessness either.

Tips for individuals

Even as a private person you can do a lot:

Use a password manager: simple and effective
Enable two-factor authentication: wherever possible
Install updates: regularly and promptly
Be careful with email: when in doubt, do not click
Back up: regularly and test restores

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is a complex challenge with both technical and human dimensions. There is no absolute security, but we can reduce risk through:

Appropriate technical measures
Training and awareness
Monitoring and fast response
A balanced mindset

As an IT specialist I see cybersecurity not as a blocker but as a necessary foundation for modern IT. Only if we take security seriously can we fully use the benefits of digitalization.

Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility—of IT specialists, organizations, and every individual user.