Cybersecurity leader Marissa Arbour has released a free Digital Safety Quick-Start Checklist designed to help everyday individuals reduce online risk without requiring technical expertise. The checklist, which can be completed in 15 minutes, reflects Arbour's philosophy that cybersecurity should be clear, human, and practical rather than driven by fear. "Security isn't about fear," Arbour stated. "It's about confidence."
The release addresses significant risks facing individuals today. According to data cited by Arbour, one in five Americans has experienced identity theft at least once, while the average individual victim of cybercrime loses $1,300 per incident. More critically, 74% of breaches involve human behavior rather than system failures, and over 60% of people reuse passwords across multiple accounts. "These numbers tell us the problem isn't technology," Arbour explained. "It's habits. And habits can be changed."
The checklist draws from Arbour's experience across fintech, banking, healthcare, and education sectors, focusing on actions that matter most for personal security. It avoids technical language and emphasizes everyday decisions, with Arbour noting that "clarity is a security tool" and that people are more likely to take action when they understand what to do. The resource includes a personal password and account review, a simple device and update check, a phishing awareness self-test, a guide to setting up multi-factor authentication, and a one-page "digital reset" routine for monthly use.
Arbour identifies common mistakes that increase vulnerability, including waiting until something goes wrong to take action, reusing passwords for convenience, ignoring updates and notifications, assuming cybersecurity is only for businesses, and trying to fix everything at once instead of starting small. "Most mistakes happen when people rush or avoid the issue entirely," Arbour noted. "Slowing down changes outcomes." The checklist is available for download at https://24-7pressrelease.com.
The importance of this resource extends beyond individual protection to broader digital literacy. With human behavior being the primary factor in most security breaches, practical tools that address habit formation can significantly reduce collective vulnerability. Arbour's approach emphasizes that "small, consistent actions create the most lasting progress" and that security training doesn't have to be boring or intimidating. By making cybersecurity accessible and actionable, the checklist represents a shift toward empowering individuals with the knowledge and routines needed to navigate an increasingly digital world with greater confidence and reduced risk.
