February 2026
The Absurdity of Cybersecurity Complacency
The digital world is more dangerous than ever. Cyber threats are no longer rare or isolated incidents: threats are constant, organised, and increasingly destructive. Organisations of every size and sector are under attack every day.
And yet, many IT Managers still take a passive, “wait-and-see” approach.
That approach is no longer just outdated. It is dangerous.
Cybersecurity is no longer a niche IT concern. It is a core business responsibility. Hackers, malware, and especially ransomware are now part of daily operational risk. Thousands of organisations are compromised every single day. Data is stolen. Systems are shut down. Reputations are damaged, sometimes beyond repair.
Hoping for the best is not a strategy.
It is negligence.
Ransomware Has Changed the Game
Ransomware today is far more destructive than it once was. It no longer simply encrypts files and demands payment.
Modern attacks:
Steal sensitive data and publish it online or on the Dark Web
Destroy backups to prevent recovery
Launch denial-of-service attacks to increase pressure and disruption
The impact goes far beyond money. These attacks cause operational shutdowns, long-term reputational harm, and in some cases, threaten an organisation’s very survival.
The Expanding Threat Landscape
Cyber risk is growing on every front.
IoT devices are spreading rapidly, often with little or no security
Artificial Intelligence can be weaponised to automate attacks and bypass defences
Social engineering (phishing, voice spoofing, and impersonation) continues to fool even experienced professionals
Critical infrastructure is also under attack. Power grids, water systems, transport networks, and healthcare providers are increasingly targeted. The Colonial Pipeline attack in the US was a warning, but many of the same weaknesses still exist worldwide.
Financial institutions, schools, and government agencies are all in attackers’ sights.
The Risks Keep Growing
The list of threats continues to expand:
Supply-chain attacks that exploit trusted vendors
Cloud misconfigurations exposing sensitive data
Insider threats, both accidental and malicious
Mobile devices acting as unprotected gateways
Legacy systems unable to withstand modern attacks
Despite all this, many organisations still underinvest in security.
Budget limitations are often blamed. Others believe they are “too small” to be targeted.
Both assumptions are wrong and dangerous.
Attackers do not look for prestige. They look for opportunity. Smaller organisations are often easier targets precisely because their defences are weaker.
Ignoring the Problem Is Irrational
Albert Einstein famously described insanity as doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting different results. That definition fits cybersecurity complacency perfectly.
Delaying upgrades, ignoring known risks, and underfunding security guarantees only one outcome: a breach.
Winston Churchill warned that those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it. Cyber history is full of lessons. It’s time to start paying attention.
What Must Change
Proactive cybersecurity is no longer optional.
Every organisation should treat the following as standard practice:
Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
Ongoing employee training
Robust backup and recovery strategies
Clear incident response plans
Multi-factor authentication, encryption, and network segmentation
Threat intelligence must be part of daily operations. Vulnerability management must be continuous, not occasional.
Most importantly, boards and executives must support IT Managers. Cybersecurity is not just a technical issue. It is a strategic one.
The cost of prevention is always lower than the cost of recovery. Insurance may soften financial losses, but it cannot restore trust or repair reputational damage. Customers, partners, and regulators expect better.
The Time for Complacency Is Over
The risks are real.
The stakes are high.
The time to act is now.
IT Managers must lead, not react. They must anticipate threats, not gamble on luck. Cybersecurity is not a one-time fix, but an ongoing commitment that requires vigilance, adaptability, and resolve.
The digital battlefield is unforgiving. Those who prepare will survive. Those who don’t will become statistics in the next breach report.
Ignoring cyber threats is no longer just poor judgement: it is a failure of responsibility.
The tools to defend organisations already exist. What’s missing is the will to use them.
Let 2026 be the year that changes.
Let it be the year logic replaces complacency.
Let it be the year cybersecurity is finally taken seriously.
