Cybersecurity leader Marissa Arbour has released a free Digital Safety Quick-Start Checklist designed for everyday individuals who want to reduce online risk without becoming security experts. The checklist reflects Arbour's belief that cybersecurity should be clear, human, and practical, turning that philosophy into action with a short, step-by-step self-audit anyone can complete in 15 minutes.
This resource addresses critical statistics showing cyber risk is no longer abstract but appears in daily life. One in five Americans has experienced identity theft at least once, while the average individual victim of cybercrime loses $1,300 per incident. Most significantly, 74% of breaches involve human behavior rather than system failures, with over 60% of people reusing passwords across multiple accounts. "These numbers tell us the problem isn't technology," Arbour said. "It's habits. And habits can be changed."
The checklist draws directly from Arbour's work across fintech, banking, healthcare, and education, focusing on the actions that matter most while avoiding technical language. "Clarity is a security tool," she explained. "If people understand what to do, they're far more likely to do it." The guide includes a personal password and account review, a simple device and update check, a phishing awareness self-test, a short guide to setting up multi-factor authentication, and a one-page "digital reset" routine for monthly use.
For business and technology leaders, this development highlights the growing importance of addressing human factors in cybersecurity strategies. As organizations increasingly rely on digital infrastructure, employee and consumer security habits become critical vulnerabilities. Arbour's approach of making security training approachable and practical—"People learn better when it feels human and practical"—offers a model for organizations seeking to improve their security posture through better user education.
The checklist addresses common mistakes people make, including waiting until something goes wrong to take action, reusing passwords because it feels convenient, 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."
For individuals, the resource provides a manageable entry point to digital safety that requires only 15 minutes and focuses on small, consistent actions. Users are instructed to set a timer for 15 minutes, open the checklist on their phone or laptop, work through each section once without requiring perfection, and pick one habit to improve immediately. "Small, consistent actions create the most lasting progress," Arbour said.
The release of this free resource comes at a time when digital literacy has become increasingly essential for both personal and professional security. As more business operations move online and remote work continues, the boundaries between personal and organizational security have blurred, making individual security habits directly relevant to business leaders concerned about organizational risk. The checklist is available for download at https://24-7pressrelease.com.
