Consumer apps, such as Facebook, Apple, and Twitter use authentication to increase their security when you’re logging in from a new location. Users aren’t annoyed when Gmail wants to confirm that they’re in Nigeria or when Instagram asks if they’re in Thailand. It’s designed so they never see an unnecessary obstacle, making it acceptable when an alert appears for a legitimate reason.
The thought of cyber security is perceived as complex and confusing; an alien part of technology meant to instill fear in them. Because consumer cyber security has a higher focus on usability and does most of the (magic) work in the background, most people are unaware of the depth of protection they’re seamlessly provided.
The complexity of how we talk about cyber security has made everyone, except the security experts, indifferent to securing their personal and business devices.
The enterprise cyber security industry uses scare tactics and war analogies to create fear, uncertainty, and doubt. Once you know why cyber security is important, there’s no need to talk about the sky falling. The industry victimizes people by saying, “you will be next without product X” and “turn the table on your enemies with product Y.” Being a victim of endless attacks isn’t something most people can relate to.
Few people know how to protect their digital lives themselves, both at home and at work, leaving most feeling unsafe—in the end, pushing the problems away by ignoring them.