What is the difference between #cybersecurity and #cybersafety, and why should individuals and businesses care about both?

The human (or social) side of cyber is increasingly seen as a critical solution to tackling the problems of cybersecurity and #onlineharms – along with the technical, policy, and legal solutions. This is good for social scientists like me, who train, teach and research on critical thinking, psychological, and behavioural aspects of cyber.

In an engaging and energising conversation, Chirag D Joshi and I delved into different aspects of these issues. I pointed out that “soft” skills are hard to master, and need to be included as part of regular organisational #trainings on cybersecurity. The bad guys innovate everyday (especially due to ai), so we need to upgrade our #softskills and knowledge regularly too.

Thank you for having me on the podcast Chirag, and for making it such an engaging conversation! We need more dialogues and actions combining the technical and social sides of cybersecurity, and glad to be part of that journey with you.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/chiragdjoshi_mastering-the-cyber-mind-game-safety-psychology-activity-7153170889973354496-V_DR?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

The defining issue of our times – our ability to think critically and safely harness technology. Cyber Safety – protecting our kids and families online. Cyber Security – protecting our information, systems and organisations. Cyber Psychology and SMEs.

As a lot of you know, the human factor in cyber security and safety has always been close to my heart. It has featured prominently in my work, best selling books and courses. The latest episode of my 7 Rules Cyber podcast goes deeper into these areas and features prominent academic and practitioner in this space – Dr. Anuradha (Anu) Rao. Anu is Singapore-based adding an international perspective on these vital issues.

Our discussion covers wide ranging topics with an aim to address these foundational questions:
– How do we keep our families safe online?
– How do we make our awareness efforts more effective to influence secure behaviours in the age of AI?
– How can we apply psychology principles for effective cyber security postures?
– What are practical considerations for SMEs in these areas?

We share practical, actionable insights including but not limited to the following areas:

1. Prioritising Cyber Security for Future Generations: Stress the urgent need for educating young people on online safety to protect them from the increasing threats of cyberbullying and fraud.
2. The Essence of Critical Thinking : Underscore the critical importance of questioning the credibility of online information and its repercussions, highlighting the necessity of personal awareness and critical thinking in today’s digital world.
3. Addressing Scams in the Age of AI: Spotlight the escalating challenge of scams associated with emerging technologies like AI, emphasising the imperative for organisations to bolster their cyber awareness and training programs.
4. Integrating Human Skills into Cyber Security: Bring to light the unexpected yet vital role of soft skills, such as empathy and storytelling, in enhancing effective digital communication and bolstering online security measures.
5. Innovating Cybersecurity Training: Advocate for a transformation in cybersecurity training within organisations by making it more engaging and relevant, using gamification and role-specific scenarios for better learning outcomes.
6. Fostering a Culture of Cybersecurity Awareness: Highlight the need for developing a holistic cybersecurity culture in organisations that effectively integrates both technical know-how and social understanding.
7. Strategic Collaboration for Robust Security: Emphasize the critical importance of synergy between safety and security departments, advocating for all-around support for comprehensive security strategies in organisations.
8. Investing in Awareness as a Security Strategy: Make a compelling case for the essential role of training and awareness in cybersecurity, pointing out its significance even for businesses with constrained budgets.