# What is Cybersecurity? (An anecdote about a doorknob)

Cybersecurity, in its essence, is pretty simple: identify risks and mitigate them. Identifying risks is finding weaknesses that leave you vulnerable. This anecdote will explain what I mean.

## Replacing a doorknob.

I needed to replace a doorknob. We had been living in our home with the original locks. I was concerned the previous owner may have kept a copy of the key and might want to enter our premises uninvited.

*I performed a risk assessment.*

I bought a new doorknob manufactured from a reputable brand, and that looked pretty. I trusted this brand to provide more than adequate protection. I felt that paying extra was worth the extra security.

*I identified the mitigation.*

It was time to improve my home's security. I removed the old doorknob and installed the new one.

*I implemented the mitigation.*

I felt pretty good until...

My gut performed an unconscious risk assessment. I started to feel uneasy. I began to think, "Did I do it correctly?"

*My conscious mind realized I needed to update my risk assessment.*

You might think this is a ridiculous question. Of course, a new doorknob would prevent the previous owner from entering uninvited.
This might be the logical conclusion, so why bother with another risk assessment?

I decided to stand outside, close the door, and kick the door.
To my surprise, the door opened wide. Huh?!

I installed the doorknob backward!!

*The mitigation was unsatisfactory.*

I fixed the doorknob, closed the door, and kicked hard (several times). The door remained closed.

*I addressed the findings from both the old and new risk assessments.*

## So what is Cybersecurity?

Think about what could go wrong, find ways to address them, make the changes, and repeat the process.

When you implement a fix, make sure to test that it works too.

## Before you go

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### About the author

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*Originally published on [Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/posts/50037219)*

*Photo by [Dima Pechurin](https://unsplash.com/@pechka) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com)*