• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Commonwealth Sentinel Cyber Security Consulting

Cyber Security for local government, non-profits and small business

MENUMENU
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Sheri Donahue
    • Leo Haggerty
    • Careers
  • Services
    • Vulnerability and Threat Evaluation
    • Transformation Management
    • CISO Management Services
    • Incident Response Management
  • News
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Newsletter
  • Shop
  • Contact Us

commonsent / April 29, 2021

APRIL OFFICE HOURS: Security Sense is Common Sense

If you take a look at the many podcasts available on the topic of cyber security, it may be overwhelming.  Not only are there a lot, but they are often very technical.  The intended audience is the cyber experts who do pen testing, vulnerability assessments, end point protection, network scanning…

Hold on.  Did I lose you?

That’s the whole point.  What is needed is a common sense, practical, easy to understand cyber security broadcast for those who don’t speak geek.  (It’s ok for me to say it.  I’m a nerd at heart.)

If you feel intimidated by those highly technical conversations, then the Commonwealth Sentinel monthly “Office Hours” is for you.  On the last Wednesday of the month, from 1:30-2:30 pm EDT on Facebook Live, we host a conversation about cyber security “for the rest of us”.

Cyber security is not just for the experts.  It’s for everyone.  That’s why we have conversations that are about the cyber security issues that everyone should know about.  And we encourage our viewers to submit their questions – whatever they are.

On the April “Office Hours”, in addition to talking about the current issues in cyber security, we were joined by Dr. Kathleen Kiernan.  A 29-year veteran of Federal Law Enforcement, Dr. Kiernan retired as Assistant Director for ATF.  With over 40-years-experience in law enforcement, intelligence and the defense industry, Dr. Kiernan is first and foremost an educator.

In 2019, Dr. Kiernan founded Preparedness without Paranoia (PwP), a 501 (c) (3) established “to help empower parents and children to invest in their own safety and security through education and community engagement”.  Especially in today’s world of remote learning and online everything, cyber threats are at an all-time high for our families, our businesses and our communities.

Much like the basic tenet of our “Office Hours”, PwP is based on a philosophy that “security sense is common sense”.  Additionally, if we teach our children preparedness skills early, they will last a lifetime.  As Aristotle once said, “We are what we habitually do.  Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.”  And cyber security is not a destination but a journey.    

We do our families and our co-workers a disservice by not providing information that is uncomfortable or scary.  The same is true with cyber security.  Denial will not keep you safe from harm.  As Dr. Kiernan said during our conversation, most people are at the intersection of fear and fact where too much of one or too little of the other freezes people in place.  If they have too little information, they can’t decide what to do.  Conversely, if they have too much information, they can’t decide what to do.  Therefore, if we give people the right information and take away the fear of indecision, they will be able to react more quickly and appropriately.

We must develop a culture of community and engagement.  In simplest terms, if you see something, say something.  We must engage our employees, our community and our families as part of the security around us all.

For more information about Preparedness without Paranoia, visit www.pwporg.org and check out the Parents with Preparedness magazine for great articles to help families be more prepared.

Be sure to join us on our next “Office Hours” on Wednesday, May 26, at 1:30 pm EDT on Facebook Live.  You can also see the recording from this week’s episode on our Facebook page.

Filed Under: Blog

Footer

CONTACT US

COMMONWEALTH SENTINEL

1230 US Highway 127 S
Suite #5
Frankfort KY 40601
(502) 320-9885

EMAIL US

ABOUT US

Cyber security consulting for local governments, non-profit organizations, and small businesses facing the threats of the cyber world.  At Commonwealth Sentinel, we are passionate about helping people be cyber-safe!

FOLLOW US

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Phone
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2022 Commonwealth Sentinel

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT