The Hidden Risks of “Check-the-Box” Cybersecurity
Why Policies Alone Aren’t Protection and How to Build Real-World Security Into Your Work
By J’son Walcott, Information Systems Security Manager, Preferred Technologies, PSA Cybersecurity Committee Member
What “Check-the-Box” Looks Like on the Job
You’ve seen it before. A required training gets skimmed, a policy gets signed without being read, a setup checklist is marked complete but one or two steps get skipped in the rush to meet a deadline.
That’s check-the-box cybersecurity; it checks the formality but misses the function. While it might meet the minimum requirement, it rarely prevents real threats.
In our industry where we’re installing access control systems, configuring networks and supporting sensitive environments, security can’t just be an afterthought, it has to be part of how we work every day.
Why the Bare Minimum Isn't Enough
When policies are just paperwork and training doesn’t connect to the job, teams end up guessing or bypassing security altogether.
That creates real risks such as:
Devices left exposed because no one applied the latest update.
Credentials reused or stored in shared notes.
Customer trust lost when something avoidable goes wrong.
Minimal compliance may help meet a contract, but it doesn’t build a reputation. Customers trust us with their systems, and our job isn’t just to install them but to make sure they’re secure from day one.
Minimal compliance may help pass a regulatory audit, but it creates blind spots that can lead to real-world damage. Here’s why this approach is riskier than it seems:
Lack of ownership. Policies quickly become outdated when no one is accountable for maintaining or communicating them.
No follow-through. Users may be unaware of expectations if they’re never trained on how policies apply to their day-to-day responsibilities.
Audit vs. reality. Just because a policy exists doesn’t mean it’s followed or even understood.
Insider risk increases. Employees who don’t understand “why” a control is important are more likely to bypass it, either intentionally or out of frustration.
Credibility loss. If a breach occurs and the root cause is linked to an ignored or misaligned policy, trust takes a hit with customers and internal stakeholders alike.
Check-the-box culture doesn’t reduce risk, it just hides it.
So, What Actually Works?
Good security doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does have to be consistent. Here's how to turn policy into protection:
1. Make Policies Practical
A policy that says “use a password manager” doesn’t help if it’s not installed or doesn’t work on mobile. Before you roll your eyes at another update, ask: is this helping me do my job securely or just adding steps?
2. Keep Trainings Real
Training isn’t about memorizing policy, it’s about knowing what to do when you get a phishing email, lose a device or get asked for remote access. Focus on what applies to your role and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
3. Speak Up if it Doesn’t Make Sense
Security works best when it's built with the people doing the work. If something in a policy doesn’t match how things happen in the field, say so. Feedback helps improve tools, rules and expectations for everyone.
4. Know What “Done Right” Looks Like
It’s not just about marking a task as complete, it’s about knowing that what you installed, configured or approved is actually secure. That means checking the settings not just checking the box.
From Checked to Protected
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a reminder that protecting people, systems and businesses isn’t just an IT function, it’s everyone’s job, especially for those of us designing and deploying the systems customers trust every day.
For our teams in the field, security isn't about checking a box or passing an audit, it's about understanding the why behind the requirements—and taking that extra step to make sure the job is done right.
Because when a customer asks, “Can I trust this system?” they’re not just asking about the hardware or the software, they’re asking about our judgment, our diligence and our commitment to their safety.
So, let’s keep moving:
From quick fixes to quality installs.
From checkbox compliance to practical protection.
From minimum effort to maximum trust.
We’re not here just to meet the standard. We’re here to set it.
J’son Walcott is a member of PSA’s Cybersecurity Committee. This article was written to raise awareness about cybersecurity risks for Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025.
To learn more about PSA Committees and how to join, click here.