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Well Aware: Master the Nine Cybersecurity Habits to Protect Your Future
Key Strategies to Safeguard Your Future
Well Aware offers a timely take on the leadership issues that businesses face when it comes to the threat of hacking. Finney argues that cybersecurity is not a technology problem; it’s a people problem. Cybersecurity should be understood as a series of nine habits that should be mastered—literacy, skepticism, vigilance, secrecy, culture, diligence, community, mirroring, and deception—drawn from knowledge the author has acquired during two decades of experience in cybersecurity. By implementing these habits and changing our behaviors, we can combat most security problems.
This book examines our security challenges using lessons learned from psychology, neuroscience, history, and economics. Business leaders will learn to harness effective cybersecurity techniques in their businesses as well as their everyday lives.
Well Aware offers a timely take on the leadership issues that businesses face when it comes to the threat of hacking. Finney argues that cybersecurity is not a technology problem; it’s a people problem. Cybersecurity should be understood as a series of nine habits that should be mastered—literacy, skepticism, vigilance, secrecy, culture, diligence, community, mirroring, and deception—drawn from knowledge the author has acquired during two decades of experience in cybersecurity. By implementing these habits and changing our behaviors, we can combat most security problems.
This book examines our security challenges using lessons learned from psychology, neuroscience, history, and economics. Business leaders will learn to harness effective cybersecurity techniques in their businesses as well as their everyday lives.
- GenresNonfictionHow ToBusiness
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 20, 2020
33 people are currently reading
793 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 31, 2020
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A cyber-security expert gives us tips and advice for improving cyber-security. There was some valuable information, but more than once I found myself growing impatient when he was telling us what he was going to tell us.
Still, well worth reading.
A cyber-security expert gives us tips and advice for improving cyber-security. There was some valuable information, but more than once I found myself growing impatient when he was telling us what he was going to tell us.
Still, well worth reading.
January 4, 2021
Interesting book, to say the least. This is a niche book written for cybersecurity instructors, but I found it fascinating as a method to think about cybersecurity without getting bogged down in the fine details of computer network bits and bytes. At age 84 (almost 85), I have probably made every mistake that there is to make, beginning with my first computer a used Texas Instruments 994A running the pre-DOS CPM operating system. Wonderful little computer with a great sound system.
I've probably forgotten all the brands of computers that I've had, but I do remember watching a virus racing across the screen eating up my programs on a Zenith once long ago. Viruses and malware are way more sophisticated these days, and it really helps to understand what we're up against. I use Trend Micro as my computer virus/malware shield, and recommend that every user subscribe to some protection. As Finney tells us, these companies have gotten smart and share information, so whichever program you prefer, you'll get protection up to a point. The rest is up to us to stay safe.
I've probably forgotten all the brands of computers that I've had, but I do remember watching a virus racing across the screen eating up my programs on a Zenith once long ago. Viruses and malware are way more sophisticated these days, and it really helps to understand what we're up against. I use Trend Micro as my computer virus/malware shield, and recommend that every user subscribe to some protection. As Finney tells us, these companies have gotten smart and share information, so whichever program you prefer, you'll get protection up to a point. The rest is up to us to stay safe.
July 26, 2020
Highly approachable for non technical audience yet detail oriented and practical about what you can do to help make security better for your organization and the people around you. This is a very hard balance to strike normally and Mr Finney (who clearly has lived this balance and challenge for many years and through many organizations) does it while also weaving in great non security stories and metaphors to make the content more enjoyable and relatable. Kudos to George and def recommend this one for those looking to learn more about the challenges and solutions to the information security problem we're all a part of.
October 12, 2020
Cybersecurity expertise comes in a dizzying array of shapes and sizes, from those who simply seek to create public awareness ("look, over there - a fire!") to those who are prepared to consume every available budget dollar to render one's fortress unassailable (for now). Finney strikes the right chord by underscoring the many facets (and importance) of awareness while also taking the crucial next step: addressing the forward-thinking practices that sensible decisionmakers must use to protect their businesses.
November 5, 2020
This book expands on the 9 cybersecurity habits. The author uses many real-world stories that brings the info security points to life. It discusses cybersecurity topics in a very engaging manner, while also being informative. The author has done a great job of discussing the cybersecurity issues in a manner that even folks with non-security background would find this interesting. It starts out with basic information security concepts and builds on that very well. Overall, this is a book I would recommend to someone interested in reading about cybersecurity issues.
January 18, 2021
Disclaimer: I received this book from Good Reads as part of the First Reads program.
Well Aware is a book everyone should read. Topics covered are Literacy, Skepticism, Vigilance, Secrecy, Culture, Diligence, Community, Mirroring and Deception. The author describes how to use all of these tools to secure yourself and your organization, protecting against those who would steal your information for whatever purpose they desire. The information in the book is excellent, and I can't stress enough how important it is for every computer user, which means everyone today, to read this book.
Well Aware is a book everyone should read. Topics covered are Literacy, Skepticism, Vigilance, Secrecy, Culture, Diligence, Community, Mirroring and Deception. The author describes how to use all of these tools to secure yourself and your organization, protecting against those who would steal your information for whatever purpose they desire. The information in the book is excellent, and I can't stress enough how important it is for every computer user, which means everyone today, to read this book.
September 24, 2020
This book made "cybersecurity" easy, and not something that only tech savy people mulled over and I liked that.
I use the internet and with covid-19 and staying home, most of both work and socialization is now online so getting to understand how to go about sharing, posting and ideally protecting everything I post- is key.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC, and what's so amazing about this was just how the author draws from human behavior to help us best understand how to stay safe.
I use the internet and with covid-19 and staying home, most of both work and socialization is now online so getting to understand how to go about sharing, posting and ideally protecting everything I post- is key.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC, and what's so amazing about this was just how the author draws from human behavior to help us best understand how to stay safe.
February 13, 2021
I won a copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a pretty easy to follow guide to upping your cyber security by changing your habits. As the author is a cybersecurity officer at a large university and has worked for other corporations in the capacity, the book does have a focus for that type of role. However, there are pretty good tips in here for anyone, even just to increase your own personal security.
This was a pretty easy to follow guide to upping your cyber security by changing your habits. As the author is a cybersecurity officer at a large university and has worked for other corporations in the capacity, the book does have a focus for that type of role. However, there are pretty good tips in here for anyone, even just to increase your own personal security.
October 20, 2020
This book is a must-read for anyone involved in cyber security - which means all of us. Forget checklists and technology stacks, cyber security is about people. Understanding the human element is crucial in executing a successful cyber security program. This book is written to be read by individuals of all backgrounds from managers to frontline cyber security professionals.
November 21, 2020
This is a good, basic approach to the human element of cyber security. Not at all technical, but focused on nine habits that can be learned and coached; this is a must-read for executives and managers who have even the slightest concern about cyber security.
December 20, 2020
Well Aware: Master the Nine Cybersecurity Habits to Protect Your Future by George Finney reveals the nine habits and concerns one should develop in facing cyber security issues which can be a people problem in addition to a technology risk. Finney is a wonderful writer who explores the nine habits: skepticism, vigilance, secrecy, culture, diligence, community, mirroring, and deception in an interesting, approachable way making Well Aware a worthwhile read. #GoodreadsGiveaway.
November 13, 2020
Informative, in a surprisingly pleasant tone that makes for an enjoyable read.
December 30, 2023
Good info, but dry.
Bits and pieces is the way to absorb this book. May, no, will add it to my read again list to squeeze out a bit more.
Bits and pieces is the way to absorb this book. May, no, will add it to my read again list to squeeze out a bit more.
November 12, 2020
Security of me and my family is so important and nowadays that includes anything going on in cyberspace. This should be a must read for everyone.
December 24, 2020
Lot of very interesting information.
April 10, 2021
[Disclaimer: I would like to thank NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for allowing me to read this book. This will not affect my opinion nor influence my review.]
Have you ever ask yourself “What does cybersecurity means?” or “Are you safe using the internet nowadays?”
With so many emails we received every day, out of 10 emails we received, there will be one email that is phishing. I know how it feels that gnawing feeling every time I open my e-mail making sure I read every detail of the message. Let me tell you a story from my experience, one time, I accidentally opened and clicked one specific e-mail where it says “there’s a problem with my payment details” when I opened the mail, there was a very alarming notice and immediately clicked the link. Upon going to the website it was completely different like an AD, and it sinks to me that it was a scam. I’m so afraid and asked myself “what if hackers have my information now?”
Nowadays, cybersecurity is one of the top priorities in life and business. A lot of resources and books were published to inform us and to teach us, one of these is George Finney. George has worked in cybersecurity for nearly twenty years and was recognized as a top cybersecurity leader in 2018. Well Aware is a book about how cybersecurity is a behavior and not a skill. Are you ready to find out what are those behavior?
Literacy – you wouldn’t know how beneficial cybersecurity without building awareness, and to be literate about why it matters.
Skepticism – not everything you read is true. With that in mind, you will be on the lookout for hackers or social engineers and not sharing information about your organizations.
Vigilance – When you become literate about how important cybersecurity is and developed skepticism, it will be a foundation to protect yourself.
Secrecy – is the natural barrier between what is public and what should be private. When this behavior is developed, it will protect the data for your company or organizations.
Culture – cybersecurity culture is only one facet of an organization’s overall culture. It must be considered as part of a larger whole before it can change.
Diligence – is the habit of taking time to think. We plan for what to do when something goes wrong.
Community – one of the natural functions of a group of individuals, is providing safety and security. The stronger and larger the herd, the greater the protection.
Mirroring – the way we need to coach one another such as using social media and searching how your profile looks in public.
Deception – helps you know your adversary and allows you, assuming you’ve mastered all nine cybersecurity habits to engage them in terrain where you have the advantage.
What I liked about this book is that the writing is clear and easy to understand. This what scares me the most about reading books about technology because of the jargon words, and luckily there are no jargon words were found.
Overall, this book provides a different example that will give readers an idea of “how and why important cybersecurity in all aspects of life”.
Have you ever ask yourself “What does cybersecurity means?” or “Are you safe using the internet nowadays?”
With so many emails we received every day, out of 10 emails we received, there will be one email that is phishing. I know how it feels that gnawing feeling every time I open my e-mail making sure I read every detail of the message. Let me tell you a story from my experience, one time, I accidentally opened and clicked one specific e-mail where it says “there’s a problem with my payment details” when I opened the mail, there was a very alarming notice and immediately clicked the link. Upon going to the website it was completely different like an AD, and it sinks to me that it was a scam. I’m so afraid and asked myself “what if hackers have my information now?”
Nowadays, cybersecurity is one of the top priorities in life and business. A lot of resources and books were published to inform us and to teach us, one of these is George Finney. George has worked in cybersecurity for nearly twenty years and was recognized as a top cybersecurity leader in 2018. Well Aware is a book about how cybersecurity is a behavior and not a skill. Are you ready to find out what are those behavior?
Literacy – you wouldn’t know how beneficial cybersecurity without building awareness, and to be literate about why it matters.
Skepticism – not everything you read is true. With that in mind, you will be on the lookout for hackers or social engineers and not sharing information about your organizations.
Vigilance – When you become literate about how important cybersecurity is and developed skepticism, it will be a foundation to protect yourself.
Secrecy – is the natural barrier between what is public and what should be private. When this behavior is developed, it will protect the data for your company or organizations.
Culture – cybersecurity culture is only one facet of an organization’s overall culture. It must be considered as part of a larger whole before it can change.
Diligence – is the habit of taking time to think. We plan for what to do when something goes wrong.
Community – one of the natural functions of a group of individuals, is providing safety and security. The stronger and larger the herd, the greater the protection.
Mirroring – the way we need to coach one another such as using social media and searching how your profile looks in public.
Deception – helps you know your adversary and allows you, assuming you’ve mastered all nine cybersecurity habits to engage them in terrain where you have the advantage.
What I liked about this book is that the writing is clear and easy to understand. This what scares me the most about reading books about technology because of the jargon words, and luckily there are no jargon words were found.
Overall, this book provides a different example that will give readers an idea of “how and why important cybersecurity in all aspects of life”.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews