Why Balance Shouldn't Be the Goal in Cybersecurity – Lessons from the Water ??

How many times have you heard advice about achieving balance in life or at work? We often strive for it, but in reality, balance is a fleeting concept. Even when you manage to achieve it, it's only temporary, and the effort to maintain it might not serve your best interests in the long run.

In fact, research suggests that aiming for harmony, rather than balance, might be the better approach — whether in work-life dynamics or in complex fields like cybersecurity. This shift in mindset is reflected in the evolution of risk management methodologies that are better equipped to handle the ever-changing threat landscape. Rather than rigidly trying to keep all things in balance, the focus is on staying agile, adaptive, and ready to pivot as new challenges emerge.

For me, this philosophy became clear through my favorite form of active meditation: paddleboarding. Over the past few years, I've spent countless hours paddling on the Hudson River, and it's taught me some powerful lessons. While it's essential to have a plan or strategy, staying afloat—both on the water and in life—requires something much more fluid: the ability to dynamically adjust based on real-time challenges.

On the water, this means recognizing that you won't be applying equal effort all the time. Sometimes you need to paddle more on the right or left side or shift your weight on the board to keep yourself steady. The same is true in life: sometimes your work demands more of your attention, while other times, it's your family. In cybersecurity, you might find yourself focusing more on detection and response programs, while at other times, your vulnerability management strategy needs more attention.

The bottom line? It's not about balance—it's about harmony. Understanding when and where to direct your energy is what will keep you grounded.

Just as you can’t stop the ebb and flow of the waves, you can’t stop the cycle of cyber threats from evolving. But you can learn to ride those waves effectively. By staying agile, responsive, and willing to adjust your focus, you'll be better equipped to handle whatever comes your way — whether that's in life, business, or cybersecurity.

Further reading:

• Work–Life Interventions: Differences Between Work–Life Balance and Work–Life Harmony and Its Impact on Creativity at Work
• What Is Work-Life Balance vs. Work-Life Harmony?
• Jeff Bezos doesn’t like the idea of ‘work-life balance’ — here’s what he swears by instead
• The evolution of risk management
• Adaptability is the key to an effective cybersecurity culture