The Parallels Between Physical Health and Cyber Health: The Psychology of Resistance to Positive Change

It’s human nature to resist change, particularly when it requires effort, discipline, or facing uncomfortable truths. The fields of psychology and behavioral science have long documented this phenomenon. When we’re confronted with the need to improve, whether it’s in terms of our physical health or cyber security, many of us instinctively pull back. But why?

At the core of resistance is a mix of fear, avoidance, and an underestimation of the consequences. In physical health, we may fear discovering that we’re at risk for conditions like diabetes or heart disease, so we avoid the doctor’s office, telling ourselves it’s not a priority.?

Similarly, in cyber security, business owners often fear that implementing new protocols will be costly, complex, or disruptive to operations, so they push it aside. There’s also the simple fact that change requires effort, and without a pressing need, it’s easy to justify inaction.

The Comfort Zone: Why We Stay Stuck in Our Ways

One key psychological factor is the comfort zone. In both physical health and cyber health, making positive changes pushes us out of what’s familiar and comfortable. The "comfort zone" is a mental state where activities and behaviors fit into a routine that minimizes stress. The downside? Staying in this zone can prevent personal or professional growth.

When it comes to physical health, many people stick with sedentary lifestyles or unhealthy eating habits simply because it's easier than adopting new habits. Even though we know the benefits of exercise and balanced diets, the immediate discomfort associated with making changes—sore muscles, restrictive diets, time management—can make sticking to old routines more appealing.

In the cyber world, businesses may resist implementing better cyber security measures for similar reasons. Changing how data is stored, encrypted, or protected often requires altering long-standing practices, training employees, and investing in new technologies. For many business owners, it feels safer to maintain the status quo, even though doing so puts them at risk.

The comfort zone is deceptively dangerous. While it feels safe, it’s really just a breeding ground for complacency, leading to greater vulnerability in both personal and business realms.

Cognitive Dissonance: We Know It’s Important,?So Why Don’t We Act?

Cognitive dissonance is a psychological theory that explains the mental discomfort we experience when we hold two conflicting beliefs or attitudes. In this case, people know they should take steps to improve their physical health or bolster their cyber security, but they fail to take action. This creates a mental tension that we resolve in various ways—often through rationalization.

For physical health, someone might say, "I don’t have time to exercise" or "I’ll eat better next month," even though they understand the long-term consequences of neglect. Similarly, business leaders may rationalize their lack of cyber security improvements with excuses like "We’re too small to be a target" or "We don’t have the budget for cyber defense right now." The more we rationalize inaction, the more entrenched we become in dangerous habits.

This dissonance becomes problematic because it blinds us to emerging risks. When we continually justify why we aren’t taking action, we inadvertently make ourselves more vulnerable to the very dangers we’re avoiding.

The Illusion of Control: Why We Think We’re Safer Than We Are

Many people suffer from the illusion of control, where they overestimate their ability to prevent negative outcomes through personal agency. In physical health, this manifests when people believe that because they haven’t gotten sick yet, they’re inherently healthier than others, even if they maintain poor health habits. They think, "I’ll know when I need to make a change." The reality is, serious health conditions often develop slowly and without obvious warning signs.

In cyber security, business owners may also believe they have things under control simply because they haven’t experienced a breach yet. They assume their current systems, however outdated, will be good enough to fend off attacks, or that they can ‘wing it’ when a cyber incident arises. This false sense of security prevents proactive measures, leaving both individuals and businesses exposed.

What’s worse is that by the time symptoms appear—whether in the form of illness or a cyber breach—the damage is often severe and harder to reverse. The illusion of control makes it easier to delay action, all the while making the fallout more costly.

The Role of Fear and Avoidance in Resistance

Fear plays a significant role in why people resist positive change. In physical health, there’s often a fear of discovering bad news. People might avoid getting regular check-ups or screenings because they fear being diagnosed with a condition they’ll then have to manage. Similarly, many business owners avoid digging into their cyber security vulnerabilities because they fear the investment it will require in terms of time, money, and training.

Avoidance serves as a defense mechanism. It allows people to continue as they are without confronting uncomfortable truths. However, in both cases—whether avoiding a health scare or a cyber vulnerability—the longer one avoids addressing the issue, the more likely it is to worsen.

What Happens If We Don’t Start Making Changes?

Inaction can lead to a gradual deterioration of health, whether it’s physical or cyber. When we neglect our physical health, we might not feel the consequences immediately. But over time, this can lead to chronic health issues like high blood pressure, obesity, or diabetes. In severe cases, this lack of attention can lead to life-threatening conditions that could have been managed or prevented with early intervention.

Similarly, in cyber health, ignoring the need for better security doesn’t result in an immediate breach. But vulnerabilities stack up—outdated software, weak passwords, and untrained staff make it easier for cybercriminals to exploit your system. When a breach does occur, it can lead to significant financial losses, legal liabilities, and irreparable harm to your business’s reputation.

The Psychological Toll of Inaction

Failing to take positive action can also have a psychological cost. For individuals, there’s often a lingering sense of guilt or stress when neglecting physical health. We know we should be eating better, exercising more, or visiting the doctor, but procrastination compounds those feelings, leading to a cycle of anxiety and further avoidance.?

In a business context, leaders often feel mounting pressure when they realize their cyber security measures are outdated but haven’t made the necessary changes. This stress can affect decision-making, productivity, and even personal health.

Over time, these issues take a toll on emotional well-being, and the longer we delay action, the harder it becomes to break out of this cycle.

The Power of Incremental Changes: Why Small Steps Matter

Psychologically, we are wired to respond better to small, manageable changes rather than drastic overhauls. When we set the bar too high, we risk becoming overwhelmed, which can lead to abandoning the effort altogether. In physical health, small changes—like committing to walk 15 minutes a day or choosing a healthier snack—can lead to bigger lifestyle shifts over time.?

We like to call it the “Consistency Compound Effect.”? Maintaining a habit of consistent action each day will build the momentum you need to change your life or business. It is a million small actions compounded over time that have the greatest effect. Consistency means you're making progress even when you're not “feeling it."

The same holds true for cyber security. Instead of overhauling your entire system overnight, start with the basics: regularly update your software, implement two-factor authentication, and train your employees on basic cyber hygiene. These small steps can make a significant impact in safeguarding your business against cyber threats, just as incremental changes can improve your physical well-being over time.

What Could Happen If We Don’t Make Incremental Changes?

Failure to act in both realms has long-term consequences. A sedentary lifestyle or poor dietary choices won’t lead to a heart attack tomorrow, but over the course of years, the risk of serious illness increases significantly. Similarly, a business that doesn’t take proactive cyber security measures may function smoothly today, but without incremental improvements, the likelihood of a catastrophic breach becomes almost inevitable.

A Business Model Change

Years ago, Adaptive Office Solutions changed its business model from a traditional Managed Service Provider (MSP) to a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP). The former is essentially a break-and-fix IT provider; the latter focuses exclusively on cyber security.?

Honestly, it was a hard pill for some customers to swallow, but in the best interest of the businesses in Atlantic Canada, we pressed on. We had to. The increase in cyber threats surged with the onset of COVID and have multiplied exponentially ever since then.

In time, most of our customers switched to the new model, but for those who resisted, we heard every excuse in the book… We can’t afford it. We’re too small to be attacked, It’s not in the budget. Maybe next year.

We were patient - sometimes to a fault - with clients who’d been with us from the start, but the threat landscape in 2024 can’t be denied. It’s not a matter of IF you’ll be attacked, but WHEN. And in the current environment… how many times??

?A Recent Attack in New Brunswick

Bearing that in mind, we consulted with one of our former customers? - for the 12th time - and practically begged them to at least have a code word for large financial transactions. That’s all; just establish a simple code word that the owner could say so that the controller would know it was really him authorizing the transaction.

They didn’t do it.

Three days later, the bank called the controller to say they had the owner on the line (they used his correct first and last name), and he (the owner) needed the key fob information so the owner could make some important financial decisions.?

She gave the information to the caller. It was just key fob information, not the owner's bank account number, after all.?

Three days later, $245,000 had been taken from the company’s bank account.

What the controller didn’t know was that the malicious actor already had the owner's bank account information. The key fob unlocked it.?

This is a SMB in New Brunswick Canada. Nobody would ever target them, right?? Wrong!?

Taking Action: Steps for Improving Physical and Cyber Health

Understanding the psychological barriers to change is only part of the equation. To truly improve both our physical and cyber health, we need to start taking action. The key is to begin with simple steps that don’t feel overwhelming and gradually build momentum toward larger, more impactful changes. Here are some easy, incremental actions you can take, side by side, for both physical and cyber health.

Final Thoughts: Embracing Change for a Healthier Future

The parallels between physical health and cyber health highlight a common human struggle: the resistance to change. Whether we're facing the prospect of a healthier lifestyle or upgrading our cyber security measures, the psychological barriers we encounter—fear, discomfort, cognitive dissonance, and the illusion of control—can be daunting. Yet, the cost of inaction in both areas can be severe, leading to significant physical ailments or devastating cyber breaches.

By acknowledging these psychological factors, we can begin to break free from the inertia that holds us back. Embracing incremental changes allows us to foster a healthier mindset in both our personal lives and professional practices. Small, manageable steps pave the way for greater progress, transforming daunting challenges into achievable goals.

Ultimately, the key to overcoming resistance lies in understanding our motivations and fears. By addressing this head-on and committing to gradual improvements, we empower ourselves to take control of our health—both physical and digital. In doing so, we not only safeguard our well-being but also enhance our resilience against the evolving challenges of the modern world. It’s time to take that first step toward a healthier future, embracing change as a catalyst for growth rather than a barrier to it.

At Adaptive Office Solutions , cybersecurity is our specialty. We keep cybercrimes at bay by using analysis, forensics, and reverse engineering to prevent malware attempts and patch vulnerability issues. By investing in multilayered cybersecurity, you can leverage our expertise to boost your defenses, mitigate risks, and protect your data with next-gen IT security solutions.

Every device connecting to the internet poses a cyber security threat, including that innocent-looking smartwatch you’re wearing. Adaptive’s wide range of experience and tools fills the gaps in your business's IT infrastructure and dramatically increases the effectiveness of your cybersecurity posture.

To schedule a Cyber Security Risk Review, call the Adaptive Office Solutions’ hotline at 506-624-9480 or email us at [email protected]