Growing up, I vividly remember sitting in the rear-facing back seat of our station wagon, looking out the back window, making faces at drivers going by, and giving my mom answers to her questions like, “Is anyone behind us?” or “Can I get over?” This experience would later help shape my understanding of cybersecurity. Just like in a station wagon, where the rear window provides a view of our past journey in a clear context, cybersecurity requires us to look back to understand where we’ve been. The lessons from those nostalgic rides still apply to our cyber defense strategies today.

1. Learn from the past:

When I sat in the back of that station wagon, my job was to be on the lookout. Every time we moved on the highway, my Mom needed to know what was coming from behind. In cybersecurity, it’s the same. Looking back at past incidents and analyzing them provides critical lessons. Every breach, every anomaly, tells a story of a weakness that was exploited. By studying these events, we can piece together patterns of attack vectors, vulnerabilities, and emerging threats. Just as rear-view mirrors help us avoid hazards, threat intelligence and incident response lessons help organizations fortify their defenses against future threats.

2. Continuously monitor:

Much like my Mom frequently asked me to check if it was safe to change lanes, cybersecurity teams need to monitor their attack surface constantly. Just because you’ve patched a vulnerability or mitigated a threat doesn’t mean you can let your guard down. Cyber threats are evolving faster than ever, with malicious actors finding new ways to bypass even the most sophisticated defenses. Continuous monitoring ensures that anomalies and suspicious activities are caught early, reducing the likelihood of a catastrophic breach. Think of it like always having someone in the rear seat — vigilant, ready to call out the risks before they become issues.

3. Be proactive:

While the rearview gives us a snapshot of what’s behind us, we must also keep our eyes on the road ahead. In cybersecurity, being proactive is crucial. You can’t just react to threats after they’ve materialized; you need a strategy that anticipates them. Using tools like extended detection and response (XDR) and managed detection and response systems (MDR) allows organizations to be ahead of the curve. These systems work in tandem to gather data, analyze it, and alert teams to potential threats before they can do damage.

4. Being prepared:

Imagine if, while driving, my Mom had to wait until she was in the middle of an accident to start figuring out how to handle it. In cybersecurity, it’s no different. Incident response plans must be tested and rehearsed before the breach happens. Knowing who to call, how to isolate affected systems, and how to communicate internally and externally can make the difference between a minor incident and a significant crisis. Like a well-oiled car, your incident response should be ready to go at a moment’s notice.

5. Embracing change:

As much as I loved that old station wagon, cars have come a long way since then. Newer models offer safety features we couldn’t have imagined back then, like lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. Similarly, cybersecurity requires continuous improvement and investment in modern defenses. It’s not enough to rely on outdated firewalls or traditional antivirus programs; we must incorporate advanced technologies like AI-driven threat detection, machine learning models, and automated responses to mitigate today’s sophisticated attacks.

6. Collaborate for safety:

Finally, I wasn’t the only one in the car; it was a family journey, and we all had a role in making sure we reached our destination safely. The same holds in cybersecurity. Collaboration between IT, security teams, and even non-technical staff is essential for maintaining a secure environment. Everyone plays a part in recognizing suspicious activity and adhering to security best practices. Creating a culture where cybersecurity is a shared responsibility is the best defense against the ever-evolving threat landscape.

Cybersecurity is a long road trip. It’s not just about having the fastest or the fanciest technology; it’s about working together, learning from the past, and staying vigilant to ensure a safe ride. Sometimes, like in the station wagon, it’s the clear view from the back that gives us the best insights into what’s ahead. And if we keep learning, adapting, and preparing, we’ll all reach our destination more securely.