Five resolutions that will make your digital life leaner, safer and easier.
With 2026 now underway, many South Africans would have made resolutions, which, let’s face it, most of the time, do not make it to the second month of the new year.
While many would elaborate on the phrase “a new year, new me”, some resolutions are not about the usual commitments to exercise more, doomscroll less or eat better.
Get cyber-fit
This year, there is a lot of emphasis on the goal to finally get “cyber-fit” and you don’t even have to drive to a gym for this exercise.
With that in mind, here are five resolutions that will make your digital life leaner, safer and easier to manage in the year ahead.
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Pause before you click
Verifying messages before reacting helps prevent impulsive mistakes and reduces the risk of data breaches, particularly when the message seems urgent or emotionally triggering. This should be seen as a warning sign to slow down.
A few seconds of mindfulness can really prevent a major data breach – for you or your organisation.
Passwords
Using strong, unique passwords through a password manager improves security without sacrificing convenience.
Human sensor
Reporting phishing emails protects the entire organisation, not just the individual. Many employees delete phishing emails but fail to report them. While deletion protects the individual, it leaves the rest of the organisation exposed to the same attack.
Digital vaccination
Keeping software up to date closes vulnerabilities and strengthens device security.
Installing updates can seem like a nuisance, especially when it interrupts a workflow. However, these updates are the digital equivalent of a flu shot. Software patches fix vulnerabilities and make your devices more resilient against emerging threats.
Declutter
Reducing digital clutter and separating work and personal accounts lowers exposure to cyber risk. Digital hygiene is all about keeping things tidy across all your devices. Just as a cluttered home causes stress, a cluttered digital life creates risk.
This is in terms of uninstalling unnecessary apps, to reviewing app permissions and social media settings, it is a good idea to start the year with a leaner, safer online presence.
Digital habits
Anna Collard, SVP of content strategy and CISO advisor at KnowBe4 Africa, argues that building better digital habits is actually an act of self-care
“Effective human risk management rests on three interconnected pillars: people, process and technology,” explains Collard.
“When we align our personal behaviours with these organisational cybersecurity pillars, we don’t just secure where we work; we reduce our own personal cognitive load, stress levels and exposure to mounting risks.”
Collard adds that having less exposure means fewer attack surfaces. “A tidy digital life is a safer one – both for you and your organisation.”
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