SEATTLE, WA / ACCESS Newswire / July 1, 2025 / As automation accelerates across industries and artificial intelligence becomes embedded in everything from banking apps to health records, cybersecurity faces an identity crisis. It is no longer enough to protect data with technical defenses alone. According to Jared Tam, a veteran tech strategist based in Seattle, what we need now is a human-centered approach to cybersecurity that goes beyond code and firewalls.

Jared Tam has spent more than two decades advising organizations on digital transformation, AI systems, and cybersecurity strategy. With degrees in Computer Science from the University of Washington and Artificial Intelligence from Stanford, he brings both technical depth and strategic insight. But what makes Jared stand out is his insistence on putting people at the center of every security conversation.

"Automation introduces efficiency, but it also introduces new risks," Jared says. "We can't automate trust, empathy, or accountability. That's why cybersecurity needs to evolve-not just as a technical discipline, but as a human one."

From Reactive to Proactive: A Shift in Mindset

For years, cybersecurity remained reactive. Companies built digital moats and waited for threats to appear. But as systems grew more complex and automation introduced new vulnerabilities, that model became unsustainable.

Jared works with clients to shift from a reactive to a proactive security posture. He encourages organizations to think of cybersecurity as an ecosystem that touches every part of the business. That includes employee behavior, customer expectations, and even company culture.

"It's not just about encrypting data or securing endpoints," he says. "It's about building awareness, responsibility, and resilience into the organization's DNA."

He helps teams design security policies that are understandable and implementable, not buried in jargon. His belief is simple: when people understand the ‘why' behind security practices, they become active participants instead of passive risks.

The Human Cost of Ignoring People

Jared argues that cybersecurity often fails because it overlooks the human element. Breaches often result from miscommunication, poor training, or misplaced trust. Automation can amplify those failures by removing the human checkpoint altogether.

"When you design systems that prioritize automation without considering human behavior, you leave gaps," Jared explains. "Security is not just a technical challenge. It's a human one. People click links. People make decisions under pressure. People override warnings. If we don't design for that reality, we're designing for failure."

He tells the story of a client who suffered a data leak due to a perfectly designed automated workflow that accidentally published sensitive internal documents. The system did exactly what it was told to do, but nobody considered the real-world context of the people using it. Jared helped the company rebuild its system with checks that included not just code, but human review points, decision trees, and alerts tailored to actual behavior.

Building Cultures of Cyber Awareness

Jared believes cybersecurity begins with culture. That's why he integrates education and communication into every engagement. He leads workshops that explain concepts like phishing, endpoint protection, and zero-trust architecture in plain language. He engages staff at all levels-from C-suite to interns-and tailors content to their role and responsibility.

"Everyone in an organization is a stakeholder in cybersecurity," he says. "The best tools in the world won't matter if people don't understand them or feel empowered to use them correctly."

One of Jared's key strategies involves designing what he calls "cyber rituals." These are simple, repeatable behaviors embedded in the daily rhythm of a company. That might include a 10-second verification pause during financial approvals or routine team discussions about suspicious activity. These small habits create an environment where security becomes second nature.

He also helps organizations avoid the pitfall of fear-based messaging. Instead of framing users as the problem, Jared encourages companies to treat their people as part of the solution.

"If you blame users, you build silence and shame," he says. "If you educate and engage them, you build a culture of vigilance."

Automation Without Dehumanization

Jared supports automation when used thoughtfully. He understands the power of AI and machine learning to detect threats at scale and improve response times. But he warns against overreliance on automated systems without human oversight.

"Automation should assist humans, not replace them," he says. "We still need people to interpret context, understand intent, and make ethical decisions."

He often advises clients to implement hybrid systems where automation handles repetitive tasks, but human experts manage exceptions and make high-stakes judgments. For example, automated monitoring might flag an unusual login attempt, but a trained team member decides whether to escalate or dismiss the alert.

He also works on improving the design of security tools so they are more user-friendly. Complex dashboards, unclear alerts, and clunky interfaces can cause even experienced users to make mistakes.

"Good design is good security," Jared notes. "When people can navigate systems easily and intuitively, they're more likely to follow best practices."

A Focus on Ethical Security

As artificial intelligence becomes more powerful, Jared is increasingly focused on the ethical dimensions of cybersecurity. He asks questions that go beyond compliance: Who decides what data is protected? How do we ensure transparency in algorithmic decisions? What does consent look like in an automated world?

"Ethics and security go hand in hand," he says. "We need to protect data, but we also need to protect dignity."

He works with clients to build ethical guidelines into their cybersecurity frameworks. This includes limiting data collection, being transparent with users, and considering the long-term societal impacts of surveillance tools.

Jared is currently contributing to a white paper on ethical cybersecurity practices in AI-powered organizations. He is also collaborating with a group of researchers to develop an open-source framework for inclusive threat modeling.

Mentorship and the Next Generation

Beyond corporate consulting, Jared is deeply committed to building a more diverse and inclusive cybersecurity workforce. He mentors students, early-career professionals, and community members who are underrepresented in tech.

Through local nonprofits and national mentorship programs, he teaches foundational security concepts, career navigation, and the importance of ethical responsibility in digital professions. He believes that broadening participation in cybersecurity is essential for resilience.

"We need more perspectives in the room," he says. "Diversity makes security stronger. It helps us identify blind spots and build systems that actually work for everyone."

Jared also volunteers with schools and community centers to introduce teenagers to cybersecurity through interactive challenges, role-playing scenarios, and real-world case studies.

"If we want ethical, human-centered security in the future, we have to start by showing young people they belong in this field," he says.

Looking Forward

As cybersecurity continues to evolve in the age of automation, Jared Tam remains focused on making sure the field doesn't lose its human core. His message is clear: security must protect not just data, but people. It must reflect not just efficiency, but empathy.

He is currently developing a public resource hub for small businesses to build simple, human-friendly cybersecurity strategies without requiring massive IT budgets. He also plans to release a series of open-access training videos focused on building inclusive security practices across different industries.

"Cybersecurity should not be a gate kept field," Jared says. "Everyone deserves to understand how to protect themselves and their communities. We all have a role to play."

In a time when automation seems to be taking over every function, Jared Tam's work serves as a powerful reminder that security must still start-and end-with people.

About Jared Tam

Jared Tam is a Seattle-based cybersecurity consultant and technology strategist with over 20 years of experience in enterprise IT, AI ethics, and digital security. He holds degrees from the University of Washington and Stanford University. Jared advises organizations on human-centered cybersecurity, mentors the next generation of professionals, and advocates for ethical innovation across the tech industry.

Contact: Jared Tam

Email: tam@jared-tam.com

SOURCE: Jared Tam