I’m here to amplify the energy from last week’s AI and Cybersecurity Conference in Memphis and spotlight how our city is leading the charge in building a resilient, cyber-aware culture. One team, one family, one community at a time. I want to share my takeaways in two parts. The first is, how do teams build a culture of cybersecurity awareness?
📸 Keep scrolling for Scenes from the Cyber Frontlines.
🛡️ Building a Cybersecurity Culture—The Memphis Way
Let’s be clear: cybersecurity isn’t just a tech issue, it’s a people issue. And Memphis is proving that when you empower your people, you fortify your business. The conference made one thing crystal clear: employees can be your weakest link or your strongest firewall. The difference? Culture.
🔑 Keys to Building a Cyber-Aware Team Culture
Make Cybersecurity Relatable. Memphis leaders are showing that cybersecurity isn’t just for the IT crowd. It’s for HR, marketing, finance, basically everyone. By using real-world anecdotes and relatable examples, teams can connect the dots between their daily work and digital safety.
Create a Cybersecurity Plan Together. Collaboration is king. Build your defense strategy as a team. When everyone contributes, everyone commits. Memphis businesses are embracing this by making cybersecurity part of onboarding and job expectations.
Train Until You’re Overconfident. Yes, you read that right. Confidence in spotting threats like phishing emails or suspicious QR codes comes from continuous training. Memphis is learning from platforms like KnowBe4 to simulate threats and sharpen instincts.
Build the Human Wall. Wendy Harris nailed it: “Cybersecurity is about verify, verify, verify.” Memphis teams are learning that when in doubt, you don’t click, you call. This simple habit is saving businesses from costly breaches.
👨👩👧👦 From Office to Home
What stood out most is how cybersecurity culture doesn’t stop at the office door. Memphis leaders reminded us that the same habits, verifying messages, using safe words, and sharing digital estate plans, are being taught at home. When families practice cyber-safety, employees bring that mindset back to the workplace. That’s how culture takes root.
🌟 Why Local Events Matter
The AI and Cybersecurity Conference was a win for small businesses. Memphis is building a tech ecosystem rooted in education, collaboration, and resilience. Events like this connect our startups, schools, and seasoned pros to share knowledge and spark innovation.
Shout out to the Black Chamber of Memphis and the Greater IT Council of Memphis for hosting an extraordinary event. Read Part 2 below, where I share cybersecurity takeaways for business operations.
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Scenes from the Cyber Frontlines
