Cybersecurity Expert Releases Free 15-Minute Digital Safety Checklist for Everyday Users

Cybersecurity leader Marissa Arbour, Principal Cybersecurity Analyst and longtime advocate for digital literacy, 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. "Security isn't about fear," Arbour shared in a recent interview. "It's about confidence." The new resource turns that philosophy into action with a short, step-by-step self-audit anyone can complete in 15 minutes.

Cyber risk is no longer abstract. It shows up in daily life: 1 in 5 Americans has experienced identity theft at least once. The average individual victim of cybercrime loses $1,300 per incident. 74% of breaches involve human behavior, not system failures. Over 60% of people reuse 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. It focuses on the actions that matter most. "You don't need a giant idea to start," Arbour said. "You just need to follow the ones that won't leave you alone." The guide avoids technical language and focuses on everyday decisions. "Clarity is a security tool," she explained. "If people understand what to do, they're far more likely to do it." It also reflects her long-held view that learning should feel approachable. "Security training doesn't have to be boring," Arbour said. "People learn better when it feels human and practical."

The Digital Safety Quick-Start Checklist 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. Users are encouraged to set a timer for 15 minutes, open the checklist on their phone or laptop, work through each section once—no perfection required—and pick one habit to improve today. "Small, consistent actions create the most lasting progress," Arbour said.

Common mistakes people make include 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." The resource is available for download at https://24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/506123/marissa-arbour-launches-free-15-minute-digital-safety-checklist, providing a practical tool that addresses the human factors behind most security breaches.