Alla has always championed resilience and self-reliance. While still in college, she supplemented her stipend by interpreting for international organizations entering the former Soviet bloc after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Her work took her to the most remote corners of the newly independent states, where she witnessed the uphill struggle of nations trying to build democracy from scratch. What stayed with her wasn’t just the hardship—it was the grit and determination of people rebuilding their futures, and the growing role of technology in both opening borders and securing national data. That mindset drew her to tech, and eventually, cybersecurity.

Today, she leads Verizon’s cybersecurity efforts for Small Business customers, where she and her team help entrepreneurs protect their data and stay one step ahead of online threats.

And in this edition of One Expert, One Topic, she talks about why personal responsibility is at the heart of protecting against cyber threats.

About The Series

This is the twenty-fifth installment in the One Expert, One Topic series, where field experts select a topic and share essential insights using Matt Abrahams’ What/So-What/Now-What format. Delivered in written form, it gives you time to absorb the topic at your own pace—and guides you on where to go next. We’re grateful to our contributors for sharing their expertise in this way.

What

Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology—it’s about knowing who’s walking through your digital front door. Verizon, positioned at the epicenter of global voice and data traffic, spots and stops cyber threats long before they hit your inbox or your router. Verizon’s cybersecurity team analyzes traffic patterns, blocks known malicious attempts, and alerts users to suspicious activity.

But protecting your network doesn’t stop there. Verizon also advises businesses on building stronger defenses, and preventing breaches. If a breach does occur, minimizing “dwell time” is critical. Alla vividly compares dwell time to an intruder hanging out undetected in your home for a shocking 32 days, casually raiding your fridge and lounging on your couch.

So What

Here’s the reality check: cybersecurity attacks aren’t just annoying—they’re financially devastating. Nearly half of small businesses targeted by successful ransomware attacks shut down permanently. And with 60% of breaches caused by someone clicking the wrong link, human awareness is critical.

As AI makes scams more convincing, attackers can exploit personal details from social media and previous breaches to trick even cautious users. Alla makes this real: scammers used a stolen customer list from a separate breach to impersonate trusted businesses and con users into revealing sensitive information. Today’s cybercriminals are faster, more targeted, and frighteningly personal.

Now What

First, practice Alla’s easy-to-remember “Rule of Nine”: pause nine seconds before clicking on any link—just enough time to question its authenticity. Next, don’t go it alone. You don’t have to become a cybersecurity expert overnight; instead, partner with a trusted cybersecurity advisor who can help you set defenses, run regular phishing drills, and rapidly detect intrusions—significantly cutting down dangerous dwell time. Finally, get involved and stay informed. Aided by AI and social engineering tactics, cyber threats are evolving faster than ever. The good news is that there are essential tools for staying ahead in the fight against cybercrime, as long as you stay informed and know who to trust.

In short, cybersecurity is everyone’s business—and it starts by knowing exactly who’s walking through your digital front door.