Why Waiting Until You’re Hacked Is a Fatal Strategy

Cybersecurity Strategy Revised

When people think of cybersecurity, their minds often jump to firewalls, antivirus software, or complex technical jargon. But beneath all the tools and technologies lies a fundamental problem that affects organisations large and small. It is a dangerous misunderstanding of what cybersecurity is supposed to achieve. Too many believe that if they pay for cybersecurity, their organisation will never be hacked. Others think they can afford to delay investment because they will just deal with it when disaster strikes. Both of these mindsets are misguided. Both of these mindsets set businesses up for catastrophic failure.

Let’s break this down clearly and practically so that you can see why cybersecurity is not a one-time purchase or a magic shield. It is a continuous discipline, a culture, and a responsibility. Whether you run a business, manage a charity, or simply own a digital asset like a website or an online store, you are part of the cybersecurity race. Ignoring this reality does not protect you. It simply makes you an easier target.

Cybersecurity is not about creating an impenetrable fortress. No system is ever 100 percent secure. There is no lock that cannot be picked, no door that cannot be forced open, no network that cannot be breached. What cybersecurity really offers is resilience. It is about reducing the likelihood of attacks succeeding. It is about limiting the damage when they do. It is about preparing your business to recover quickly and decisively so that a bad day does not turn into the end of the road.

Think of it like this. You lock your doors and install alarms at home. You know that these measures do not make you immune to burglary, but they certainly make your home less appealing to opportunistic thieves. They buy you time. They provide warnings. They give you a chance to respond. If you leave your doors wide open and your valuables in plain sight, can you really complain when something is stolen? Yet that is what many businesses do in the digital world when they delay or downplay cybersecurity.

Let’s look at this through examples we all understand. Do you exercise, eat well, and go for regular check-ups because you believe this will make you immortal? Of course not. You do it because it reduces your risk of illness. It strengthens your body so that if you do fall sick, you recover faster and suffer less. You take care of yourself because prevention is better than cure. The same goes for your car. Do you wait until it breaks down on the motorway before changing the oil or checking the brakes? No. You perform regular maintenance because you know it keeps the car running smoothly and avoids dangerous, costly breakdowns.

In many countries, this mindset is backed by law. You are legally required to maintain your vehicle. You are legally required to meet health and safety standards in your workplace. Why? Because without these rules, some people would neglect these responsibilities, putting themselves and others at risk. When it comes to cybersecurity, only certain businesses are forced by regulation to meet minimum standards. Financial institutions, healthcare providers, critical infrastructure operators, these organisations must comply with specific security frameworks. But the vast majority of businesses are left to decide for themselves. And too many decide to do nothing or the bare minimum. They see cybersecurity as optional because no one is forcing their hand. This is a mistake.

Make no mistake. Whether or not you are regulated, you are still a target. Criminals do not check whether you are bound by cybersecurity laws before they attack you. They check whether you are vulnerable. They look for businesses that are easy to compromise. They look for weak passwords, outdated software, unsecured systems, and untrained staff. And when they find them, they strike.

Let’s talk about the hidden cost of waiting until after you have been hacked to take cybersecurity seriously. First, there is the financial cost. A cyber attack can cost tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of pounds. You could face fines, legal fees, ransom demands, and the cost of emergency recovery. You might have to pay for credit monitoring for affected customers or deal with lawsuits. The financial damage often exceeds the cost of prevention many times over. Then there is the reputational cost. Customers lose trust. Partners walk away. Winning back confidence takes years, and some businesses never fully recover. There is the operational cost. Downtime means lost revenue. Lost data means lost opportunities. Your team is distracted, overwhelmed, and forced into firefighting mode. And finally, there is the emotional cost. Dealing with the aftermath of a cyber attack is stressful, exhausting, and demoralising. It takes a toll on you, your team, and your business.

Cybersecurity is not about fear. It is about responsibility. It is about care. It is about building a culture where digital assets are treated with the same seriousness as physical ones. It means creating habits and processes that make your business resilient. It means training your team so that security becomes part of your daily operations. It means investing in tools that provide meaningful protection, not just ticking a box. It means planning for recovery so that when the worst happens, you know what to do and can act quickly.

Whether you like it or not, by owning or interacting with any digital asset, you are already in the cybersecurity race. You can either participate actively and responsibly or you can wait until an incident forces you to react. But by then, the damage will have been done. The choice is yours. But if you want your business to thrive in today’s world, you must take cybersecurity seriously now, not later.

What can you do today? Start with a review of your current security setup. Identify gaps and risks. Book a professional security health check if you are unsure where to start. Talk to your team about cyber hygiene. Are they aware of phishing risks? Do they use strong, unique passwords? Do they know how to report suspicious activity? Prioritise backups and test your recovery process. Make sure you can restore data if it is lost or encrypted. Use sensible technology like multi-factor authentication, encryption, and endpoint protection. Focus on what matters most. Protect your most valuable data and systems first. And most importantly, build cybersecurity into your business culture. Make it part of how you operate every single day.

If you take away one message from this article, let it be this. Cybersecurity is not about making sure nothing bad ever happens. It is about making sure you are ready when it does. Just like you brush your teeth, service your car, and lock your doors, you must care for your digital assets before disaster strikes. Waiting is a fatal strategy. Acting now is your best defence.