Java Printz,LLC

“I’m Not a Tech Person”

You don’t need to be “good with technology” to stay safe online.

Most online scams don’t rely on technology at all.
They rely on human behavior — urgency, trust, distraction.

Simple habit:
Question urgency, not yourself.
If something rushes you, pause.

This is explained in my book Cyber Safe, Not Cyber Scared. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GK1FLHHC

Phones Make Everything Feel Urgent

Messages feel more urgent on phones.
Smaller screens.
Notifications.
Quick taps.

That’s not a flaw — it’s how phones are designed.

Simple habit:
If a message feels urgent, physically pause before acting.
Looking up helps your brain slow down.

This is explained in my book Cyber Safe, Not Cyber Scared. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GK1FLHHC

The Fake “Helpful” Alert

Some of the most convincing scam messages don’t sound threatening.
The Fake “Helpful” Alert

They sound helpful.

“Unusual activity detected.”
“Confirm to secure your account.”

They work because they feel responsible for responding.

Simple habit:
Never trust a message to fix the problem it creates.
Verify on your own.

This is explained in my book Cyber Safe, Not Cyber Scared.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GK1FLHHC

“I Was Just Busy.”
Most online mistakes don’t happen because people are careless.
They happen because people are busy.

When we’re rushing or multitasking, we react instead of think — and that’s when bad messages slip through.

Simple habit:
If you’re tired, stressed, or distracted, delay decisions.
Real issues can wait.

This is explained in my book Cyber Safe, Not Cyber Scared. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GK1FLHHC

5 cybersecurity mistakes that are costing your career:
I've spent 20+ years watching talented professionals stall in their careers.
Here's why it happens:

1. Focusing solely on technical skills
The technical part will come, but "communication is 90% of everything" in cybersecurity. Master that first.

2. Rigid presentation of findings
I used to be very rigid in my findings presentation. Now I know better - calmness creates receptiveness.

3. Overwhelming stakeholders with jargon
When you present complex technical details without translation, you lose your audience immediately.

4. Ignoring the business context
Security doesn't exist in a vacuum. Understanding the business group you're auditing is essential for effective solutions.

5. Setting unrealistic remediation plans
Work collaboratively to create timelines that businesses can actually implement. Unrealistic demands get ignored.

The biggest career accelerator?
Learning to be "buttoned up and covered up in what you present" while maintaining a calm, helpful approach.
Are you making any of these mistakes?

The untold truth about cybersecurity guidance:
Every day I see brilliant security professionals with 20+ years experience losing opportunities to "technical-only experts."

These veterans spent decades mastering their craft:
• Building secure enterprises
• Solving complex vulnerabilities
• Delivering real protection

Yet they're getting sidelined by complex jargon and fear-mongering.
And are struggling to get the implementation they deserve.

Here's what's happening:
These technical-focused practitioners are SO good at identifying threats because they spent years learning vulnerabilities.
But there's a huge problem.

They did it at the expense of learning how to communicate effectively.
Most recommendations never get implemented.

Meanwhile, the real experts (often with 20+ years) in fields like:
• GRC Analysis
• IT Audit
• Risk Management
• Security Implementation
• Incident Response
• Remediation Planning
Feel frustrated by the lack of practical implementation.

And feel they are losing impact despite having deeper knowledge.
But it's actually easy to change this approach.
I've helped SO many security professionals do it.

So much so,
I'm committed to sharing the skills that truly matter.
What do you think of this approach?

Is communication in cybersecurity a 'thing'?
Feedback welcome.

The dark side of cybersecurity certifications for new professionals:
I spoke to a new cybersecurity analyst last week.
And I was shocked at what I heard;

He'd done a 'certification bootcamp' (5k+ investment)

Where they'd set him up with a stack of certifications:
• CompTIA Security+
• CISSP
• CEH
• CISA
and trained him to pass the exams

Now while there is nothing inherently wrong with these certifications
And in fact, they are great, I recommend 3 of them now

The problem is that they are useless without something in place
Think of it like this
You learn all the firewall configurations, encryption protocols, compliance frameworks

And then you can't apply any of them because you forgot to learn how to communicate effectively

That's EXACTLY the problem with these certifications and these programs pushing them

They are not a complete system
They are limited if you don't have strong communication skills, practical experience, and stakeholder management abilities

Don't believe me?
• Look at who's getting promoted in cybersecurity
• Look at who's effectively implementing security changes
• Look at who stakeholders actually listen to
The general rule here is to master communication first, then build your technical expertise