7 Cybersecurity Wins to Be Proud of This Thanksgiving

“Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” – Vince Lombardi

Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey, stuffing, and sidestepping awkward political debates. For CISOs, CEOs, and IT leaders, it’s also a moment to reflect on a year that felt like four tough quarters on the cybersecurity field—a year full of ransomware blitzes, supply chain interceptions, and relentless threat actors who never take a timeout, even during the holidays.

And yet, here we are: bruised but unbroken, standing guard over the digital ecosystems that power businesses forward. In a game as relentless as cybersecurity, staying in the fight and holding the line is a victory worth celebrating. So, before you dive into that second helping of pie, let’s take a moment to recognize seven hard-earned wins the cybersecurity community can be proud of.

1. Cybersecurity Finally Made It to the Grown-Up Table
   Cybersecurity isn’t the weird cousin at the kids’ table anymore. It’s now a top boardroom priority, with CEOs and investors grilling their IT teams on ransomware defenses, incident response plans, and regulatory compliance. If you’re a CISO, you’ve probably spent more time with the board this year than with your family. Exhausting? Yes. But it’s proof that the message is finally landing: cybersecurity equals business survival.
   
   
2. The Death of “It Won’t Happen to Us” Thinking
   After seeing ransomware dismantle major companies like a Thanksgiving turkey, even the most skeptical execs have stopped pretending they’re immune. Zero Trust Architecture, incident response playbooks, and cyber insurance have gone from “nice-to-have” to non-negotiable. It’s hard to be thankful for fear, but at least denial is no longer in the playbook.
   
   
3. Attackers Are Smarter—But So Are We
   Hackers are using AI to launch sneakier phishing attacks and find vulnerabilities faster than ever. But the good news? We’ve got AI too. Predictive threat hunting and automated incident response are helping defenders stay one step ahead. The game isn’t over, but at least we’re putting some solid points on the board.
   
   
4. Supply Chain Risks Are Finally Front and Center
   Remember when supply chain security was an afterthought? Not anymore. SolarWinds and Log4j forced organizations to confront a harsh reality: you’re only as strong as your weakest vendor. The result? Greater accountability, better transparency, and a renewed focus on managing third-party risk.
   
   
5. Cybersecurity Pros Are Getting the Recognition They Deserve
   If you’re in cybersecurity, you’re no stranger to working overtime, staying calm in the chaos, and keeping things running while others sleep. This year, more people noticed. Whether it’s mitigating ransomware attacks or saving millions by preventing breaches, cybersecurity teams are finally getting their time in the spotlight.
   
   
6. Zero Trust Is More Than Just Hype
   “Never trust, always verify” used to sound like paranoid nonsense. Now, it’s saving companies millions. Zero Trust Architecture is no longer optional—it’s a standard for businesses that want to survive. If your company is already adopting it, you’re ahead of the curve.
   
   
7. The Cybersecurity Community Is Stronger Than Ever
   Hackers might work in isolation, but defenders don’t. The cybersecurity community continues to thrive on collaboration, sharing threat intelligence, and building open-source tools to help organizations stay ahead. That collective brainpower is something we should all be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

What’s Next? Prepare for 2025
As we reflect on these victories, we also need to brace for what’s ahead. The next year will bring more AI-powered threats, stricter compliance requirements, and a growing need to secure hybrid work environments. The game isn’t getting easier, but we’re ready for the next quarter.

At Cyber Defense Advisors, we’re here to help you stay in the game. Whether it’s implementing Zero Trust, securing your supply chain, or developing proactive defenses, we’ve got your back.

Let’s work together to make 2025 your most secure year yet. Contact us today to learn how we can help.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Cyber Defense Advisors. Stay strong, stay resilient, and save us a slice of pie!