The Americas Information Security Leadership Awards has announced its winners for the fourth time. The great thing about is that the American in its title does not refer only to the North America, but also to the Central and South America. So, when you say the American Award it includes both continents.

This is exactly what we need. We need something traditional, encouraging and inspirational at the same time. On the other hand, this something should include the word international in its title. As long as we have American or European prefixes, we cannot expect a major improvement in this field.

For what is worth, we are appreciating and we are grateful for these types of rare IT security awards. We just wish for more of these awards with the wider scope. The hackers themselves seem to be less nationalistic oriented and more open to the idea of an international cooperation. We should follow.

This is how we should do it. A little bit of awarding here and there. Then, a little bit of bug bounty programs, as well. If we appreciate enough our efforts and time invested for the IT security, then we can be rewarded with something more valuable that the awards themselves. The fully functional IT Security, for a change.

How many times we have to repeat it? How many evidences we have to submit in order to convince you? About what exactly? Our main point is quite a simple one, and apparently extremely difficult to accept. The human factor is the worst cyber menace you have ever witnessed and heard about.

In the absolute and surprising majority of cases you can easily ensure the remarkable level of the proper IT security. How? With the regular updates and use of patched systems. Yet, we keep missing to update and continue to use the unpatched systems. Why? Either we are totally reckless or lazy.

Either way we are in trouble. On the other hand, your friendly neighbor hacker only needs one vulnerability to pay an unexpected and unforgettable visit. We could have easily avoided or at least decreased the chances of facing this cyber trouble. All what we needed to do was to invest a little bit of our time.

No one can make you to comply with these simple and effective IT security rules, but also there is no one you can complain once you get hurt. The cyber doctors have given you a fair warning including a vaccine. It is your fault, if you think that you have something else more important to do.