Unlocking Insights: How My Locksmith Days Informed My Cybersecurity Career

20 seconds.

That’s all it takes.?

20 seconds to unlock a door, a cabinet, a jewelry box.?

Years ago, I was a locksmith. And, yes, I can open most locks in 20 seconds or less. A locksmith (or someone who is as familiar with locks as a locksmith) can unlock most locks in those brief seconds.?

You'd be surprised how many folks, unless they’re wealthy art or jewelry collectors, think, "Who'd want my stuff?" But burglars often target victims in their own neighborhoods. Teenagers showing off to friends or hoping to get free alcohol look for nearby targets too.?

Another truth I learned on that job was that, in office buildings, being friendly can work wonders.

I recall this one time when I walked up to a building's front gate at 6 pm. With a smile and a friendly tone, I greeted the security guard while sporting my company's name on my shirt and cap. "I need to go to Suite 816," I said, giving him the name of the head guy in that company. He recognized my costume and let me through, no sign-in required.?

It was that simple.

And, if I was a bad guy, it only takes 20 seconds....

Now, in the world of cybersecurity, I see similar attitudes prevailing. Even IT professionals may be complacent, thinking they're not worth targeting. But cyber threats are everywhere.?

Software may be outdated and easily hacked. People open emails and click on links they shouldn't. They use simple passwords they can remember-but which a bad actor can break.

Just as it takes 20 seconds to open a locked door, it only takes one wrong click to compromise your entire system. Many IT professionals may overlook these risks, but they're as critical as a locksmith's work. Companies and their employees need to be aware, educated, and proactive in their cybersecurity practices.

Back in my locksmith days, being friendly helped me gain access to places. Today, in cybersecurity, building trust and relationships with clients is just as vital. I help them understand the risks they face and provide the right solutions to protect their data.

Whether it's a physical lock or a digital firewall, the principles remain the same: security matters. So, next time you think you're not a target, remember, it only takes 20 seconds for someone to get in. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and keep your digital doors locked tight.

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Wolf Halton is the CEO/CISO at Atlanta Cloud Technology in Loganville, GA. He is an accomplished Senior Executive with over 40 years of success across the technology, finance, travel, tourism, entertainment, education, and IT security industries. He is a valuable advisor for an organization developing software, an app, or an appliance. His broad areas of expertise include streamlining security procedures, creating strategic approaches, business process optimization, compliance, security analysis, and PCI frameworks.

If interested, you can call him at 943-212-1379. You can also email him here or get on his calendar here.