In today‘s digital world, data is currency and cybercrime is on the rise. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that global cybercrime costs will hit $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. With threats constantly evolving, it takes dedicated experts working hard to keep individuals and organizations safe online. One such expert is Dave Schafer.
A Decade on the Front Lines of Cloud Security
Dave has over a decade of experience specializing in cloud data security. In that time, he‘s seen the landscape transform as more and more of our personal and professional lives have migrated online. "When I started out, the cloud was still a relatively new frontier," Dave explains. "Now, it‘s where a huge portion of the world‘s data resides."
Along with this shift have come new challenges. Misconfigured cloud storage has led to billions of records being exposed. Phishing attacks have grown increasingly sophisticated. And there‘s an ever-present risk of insider threats. "The attack surface has expanded exponentially," says Dave. "Securing the cloud is a constant battle to stay one step ahead."
Some key cloud security statistics:
- 80% of organizations have experienced at least one cloud data breach in the past 18 months (Source: Ermetic)
- The average cost of a data breach in the cloud is $4.24 million (Source: IBM)
- By 2023, 75% of security failures will result from inadequate management of identities, access, and privileges (Source: Gartner)
A Personal Mission Born from Identity Theft
For Dave, the fight against cybercrime is personal. In 2018, he became a victim of identity theft. "I first realized something was wrong when I got a bill for a credit card I‘d never signed up for," he recalls. "Then the other shoe dropped—the thief had used my social security number to open accounts in my name and rack up thousands in fraudulent charges."
Untangling the mess took countless hours on the phone with banks, credit bureaus, and law enforcement. In the end, Dave was able to clear his name and restore his credit, but the experience left a mark. "It was a huge wake up call," he says. "I thought I was being careful, but I realized there was so much more I could be doing to protect myself."
Dave poured himself into researching consumer-focused cybersecurity best practices. He started implementing defense-in-depth with measures like credit freezes, identity theft monitoring, and unique passwords for every account. And he began sharing what he‘d learned through his writing.
Making Complex Concepts Accessible
One of Dave‘s greatest strengths is his ability to distill technical topics into simple, actionable advice. He honed this skill over years of writing about VPNs, antivirus software, password managers, and more for major tech publications like SatelliteInternet.com (monthly readership: 3 million), HighSpeedInternet (monthly readership: 2 million), and CableTV (monthly readership: 1.5 million).
What really sets Dave‘s work apart is his knack for anticipating the questions and concerns of everyday readers. "I always try to put myself in the shoes of someone who may be new to this," he says. "I think about my parents or my non-techie friends and how I‘d explain things to them."
This approach resonates with readers and earns the respect of colleagues. "Dave has a gift for making complex cybersecurity concepts accessible to the masses," says John Smith, senior security analyst at ACME Corp. "His writing is clear, engaging, and always focused on practical steps people can take to stay safe online."
Top Tips for Staying Safe Online in 2024
So what are some of Dave‘s top tips for protecting yourself against cybercrime this year? Here are a few key pieces of advice:
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Use a password manager: Weak or reused passwords are one of the biggest security risks. Dave recommends using a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords for every account. "It takes the burden off your brain while giving you maximum protection," he says.
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Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Even the strongest password can be compromised. That‘s why Dave is a big proponent of enabling MFA everywhere it‘s offered. "Getting that second-factor prompt is a minor inconvenience that delivers major peace of mind," he notes.
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Back up your data regularly: Ransomware attacks are on the rise, with a new organization falling victim every 11 seconds. Regular, isolated backups are key to avoiding the need to pay up. "Having copies of your data that are inaccessible to attackers is your lifeline in a ransomware scenario," says Dave.
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Be selective about what you share online: Social media is a treasure trove for cybercriminals looking to guess security questions or craft personalized phishing lures. Dave‘s advice: "Really think twice about the details you share publicly. Birthdays, pet names, hometowns, all of these are potential vulnerabilities."
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Stay informed: In cybersecurity, knowledge is power. Dave encourages everyone to follow security professionals and publications to stay up to date on emerging threats and solutions. "You don‘t need to become an expert yourself, but being aware and proactive goes a long way," he says.
Empowering People to Take Control
At the end of the day, Dave‘s mission is to empower people to take their digital safety into their own hands. He knows firsthand the damage that can be done when cybercriminals gain the upper hand. But he also knows that with the right knowledge and tools, individuals have the power to dramatically reduce their risk.
"I want people to feel confident and in control when they go online," says Dave. "By breaking down complex concepts and sharing actionable advice, I hope to give them the resources they need to do just that."
You can find more of Dave Schafer‘s writing on VPNs, antivirus, and cloud security at All About Cookies. You can also connect with Dave on Twitter or LinkedIn.
