Cybersecurity and privacy best practices are not just technical issues because they rely a lot on people. You can have strong security systems in place, but if employees are careless or don’t follow procedures, security can still be weakened or compromised. Allowing those who shouldn’t have access to see information they otherwise would not be able to.

One example I’ve seen from working as a school security officer is how staff handle student information and building access. Schools use digital systems for attendance, student records, and emergency contacts, but those systems are only secure if employees follow the rules. Sometimes people leave computers unlocked, share passwords, or let people into areas they shouldn’t have access to. Even small mistakes like that can create security or privacy issues.

An example would be when staff do not lock their computers when they step away or clock out for the day. This is more than a simple mistake, as it allows anyone to walk up to their computer and access sensitive student data, such as enrollment history, addresses, emergency contacts, etc. Security and privacy rely heavily on people doing what they’re supposed to do consistently. This proves that cybersecurity and privacy are not just about technology, but it’s about people being aware and responsible every day. A hacker or someone who wants to cause harm only has to be lucky once; we have to be aware and ready one hundred percent of the time.