AQ'S Corner

Photo Credit: AQ’S Corner LLC WordPress Generative AI

Let me tell you something we don’t hear enough: most of the technology we use every day, apps, websites, devices, are not made with your security in mind.

Let that sit for a second.

A lot of the software that powers our hospitals, our schools, and even our homes is “vulnerable by design.” That means it wasn’t built to keep out cyber attackers from the start, it was built to work fast, look pretty, or roll out quickly, with security sprinkled on after the fact like powdered sugar on a burned cake.

But a powerful global shift is happening, and it’s led by some of the biggest names in cybersecurity: the Cybersecurity Infrastructure & Security Agency (CISA), the National Security Agency (NSA), the FBI, and partners around the world. They’ve come together with one simple, revolutionary message: Let’s flip the script and start designing software to be safe and secure from the beginning. No more duct-tape fixes. No more blaming users for not being “tech savvy enough.” This approach is called Secure by Design.

What Does “Secure by Design” Really Mean?

Think of it like building a house with a solid lock already installed on the front door not tossing you the screws and instructions later. “Secure by Design” means software developers take your security seriously from day one. Not just so you feel better, but so the software itself resists attacks automatically.

And there’s a sibling to that term: Secure by Default. That means a product should be safe to use right out of the box. You shouldn’t have to dig through 37 settings just to turn on security. Imagine getting in a car and the seatbelt already being fastened; that’s secure by default.

Why Should You Care?

Because when software isn’t secure from the start, you are the one left doing the cleanup. Whether it’s:

• Your hospital canceling surgeries because of a cyberattack,
  
• Your child’s school getting hit with ransomware,
  
• Or your business scrambling to patch yet another software hole
  

The cost of unsafe technology always lands in the lap of regular people.

The Three Principles of Secure by Design

The Secure by Design report and whitepaper from CISA lays out three big ideas that developers and companies should follow. And honestly, they apply to more than just tech; they’re solid life advice, too.

1. Take Ownership of Your Customer’s Security

Software makers shouldn’t leave all the heavy lifting to you. They should make tools that are secure from the start and do the work to keep them that way.

No more “just read the hardening guide” nonsense. No more blaming users for not enabling multi-factor authentication. Do the work upfront.

2. Be Radically Transparent

If something breaks, say it. If a vulnerability is found, own it. If you’re improving your systems, show your receipts. Transparency isn’t weakness, it’s leadership.

3. Lead from the Top

CEOs, founders, and leaders can’t pass the buck to the IT team anymore. Security has to be a business goal, not an afterthought. If you’re leading a company, you’re responsible for protecting your users.

What This Means for Everyday People

If you’re a parent, educator, small business owner, or just someone trying to live their life safely online, here’s what you should take away:

• You have the right to expect safe software. Don’t let any company make you feel like it’s your fault when their product fails to protect you.
  
• Start asking better questions. When you’re choosing software for your school, business, or household, ask: Is this secure by default? Does this vendor publish security updates?
  
• Push for change. If enough of us start demanding better, the industry will listen.
  

I Didn’t Know Until I Knew

I’ll keep it real, this whole “Secure by Design” idea wasn’t on my radar at first.

When I started getting serious about protecting my business, I did what I thought was right: I bought cyber insurance, and spent extra money on tools to plug the gaps I assumed were normal. I even built out a full Incident Response Plan that factored in risks I shouldn’t have had to carry alone.

But here’s what hit me after reading this report: I was overcompensating for tech that wasn’t built with my safety in mind to begin with.

I did the work, and I’m proud of that. And yes, we all need to be proactive and understand the tech we bring into our lives and businesses. But I also now see that security shouldn’t feel like a luxury or an expensive add-on; it should come standard.

So I’m staying curious, staying tuned in, and following this conversation closely. Because “Secure by Design” isn’t just a cybersecurity buzzword, it’s a shift in power, and I want to be on the side that’s asking better questions, demanding better tech, and helping others do the same.

🔐

“As a cybersecurity professional, I built out an Incident Response Plan and invested in cyber insurance, only to realize I was overcompensating for software that wasn’t secure by design. Security should never feel like a luxury. It should come standard.”
Cybersecurity Analyst & Founder of AQ’s Corner