It’s February already – it feels like January just flew by. How are you doing with your new year’s goals? Perhaps you’re like me and slacking slightly… no judgement! So, I’ve been working on ways to stay on track and motivated simultaneously, and I’ve created my own cyber security vision board!
We always hear about creating vision boards to help visualize our goals for the next year, next 5 years, or anytime in the future really. But what about creating a cyber security vision board to perfectly inspire us and help us to visualize our cyber goals for the year? Not only does it make it easier to view our goals, but it also assists with keeping us on track to achieve those goals. Let’s go!
Traditional Cyber Security Training vs Vision Board
The normal cyber security training is often mundane. Yes, understanding how to protect yourself online is important, but it’s not always interesting. That’s where a vision board comes in.
A cyber security vision board is a visual representation of your goals but focused on cyber security or online safety. Instead of boards emphasizing your financial goals, future home, or travel destinations, this vision board will show your online goals. For example, protecting your personal photos, email, bank account, and so on.
In a nutshell, it’s your own personal cyber safety road map. No more long, boring technical documents, just inspiring images, words and graphics to keep you motivated and on track.
How to Create Your Cyber Security Vision Board
You’ll start with your personal list of cyber security goals for the year. If you haven’t yet created one, you can use our Cyber Security New Year Guide to help you define your goals.
Let’s imagine that your list contains the following 5 goals:
- Secure my email
- Protect my social media accounts
- Keep my devices safe
- Learn to avoid scams
- Less doom scrolling
For each of these goals, you will gather images, words or graphics that relate to the goals and inspire you to achieve them. So, if you want to secure your email, use an image of an email, a shield graphic, an image of a person smiling, and the words “SAFE EMAIL = HAPPY ME”, as an example. The idea is to keep it simple, fun and easy to remember.
Step-by-step Guide
1. Define your goals
Start off with defining your cyber security goals for the year. Keep your goals minimal and focused. You don’t have to achieve everything in one go – as long as you start, you’re already on your way to becoming safer online.
2. Gather your materials
Firstly, decide if you want a physical or digital vision board:
- If you decide to have a physical vision board, you’d need a large poster, prints, photos, scissors, glue, coloured pens, stickers, etc.
- If you decide on a digital vision board, you’d need a blank canvas (PowerPoint, Pinterest, etc.), digital images, photos, clipart, or any other resources.
Remember to use images and words that are meaningful to you. If you’re looking to calm your mind, look for images that are peaceful. If you want to achieve a certificate or complete a training course, look for positive words or phrases like “achieve” or “do it!” or “you got this”.
3. Organize your content by goal
Create spaces for the images related to the goal and add them to the board. For example, if you want to secure your social media accounts, group pictures like the social media app logo, an account image, and a secure lock icon. This will provide a visual depiction of the overall goal.
4. Make it personal
Vision boards are even more successful if you can relate to it. Include personal elements like:
- Selfies to remind yourself of who you’re doing this for.
- Pics of your family or friends that you’re protecting.
- Images of your business or career security.
- Security tools you’re planning to implement.
- Dates to remind you of your milestones.
5. Don’t hide your vision
You know the saying “out of sight, out of mind”, so don’t hide your vision board. Instead, place it somewhere you see regularly so you can see it as much as possible. For example, near your desk, as a screensaver, or even on your smartphone. This will help remind you of your goals and keep you on track.
Maximize Your Vision Board’s Impact
You’ve created your vision board, but you need to get the most value out of it. Let’s look at a few ways to increase its impact.
1. Check in
Schedule time to check your vision board either daily, weekly, or monthly – whichever suits you best:
- Spend 5 minutes to review your goals.
- Check if there’s a small security action you can do that day.
- Update any images as you achieve your milestones.
2. Measure your progress
Reflect on your progress using simple measurements like:
- Have you changed all your passwords to be unique and complex?
- Have you completed your software updates?
- Do you perform regular backups?
- Have you followed willowbesecure? Just kidding… 😉
3. Avoid common pitfalls
It’s easy to become overwhelmed or forget what or why you’re doing something. These tips will help you stay focused and motivated:
- Don’t make it too complex. Keep your board simple and easy to understand.
- Don’t focus only on tools. Balance is important – align the tools with personal motivations like keeping your social media account safe.
- Don’t set and forget. Schedule time to check your vision board and stay on track.
- Vision is not enough. Include easy action items that align with your security vision and brings you closer to your goals.
How to Know Your Vision Board is Working
You’ve created your vision board, you’re doing small actions almost daily, but how do you know it’s working? Here are a few things to take note of to measure your success:
- You’re creating stronger passwords without much thought.
- You’re more aware of potential threats.
- Your MFA app is one of your most used apps.
- Security updates are done regularly.
- Phishing or dodgy emails are more noticeable.
- You think before clicking links.
- You feel more confident using tech.
And of course, you’re beginning to achieve your cyber security goals!
Perhaps you want to level up? Let’s look at a few ways to up your game:
- Share your progress with friend or family.
- Join online communities focused on personal online safety.
- Include cyber security certifications as goals.
- Add a theme to your board based on something you like, such as your favourite movie, book, anime – anything to make it even more fun to achieve.
Remember to celebrate your achievement, no matter how small they may be. Be proud of improving your cyber security awareness and take it one step at a time. Be secure!
