You may have heard us talk about “cyber hygiene.” This phrase usually refers to the technical details of maintaining a clean, healthy network: strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, timely updates, firewalls, backups, and all the rest.  

And make no mistake: lack of cyber hygiene is and will be a massive personal and business liability. One careless click, an outdated password, or an unpatched device can cascade into weeks of downtime, lost data, and expensive remediation. 

But here’s the truth most people don’t realize: technical cyber hygiene is only half the battle. 

Even the cleanest, most secure network can’t protect you or your business if you’re not thoughtful about HOW and WHY you use technology. And your personal digital habits (the ethics, decisions, and routines that govern your interactions with screens) follow you everywhere: at home, at work, and yes, into your business systems. 

Two Rules for Business: Tool Use Isn’t Free 

Most companies chase shiny new tools: AI software, collaboration platforms, task managers, analytics dashboards. But adding a tool isn’t just a technical decision. It’s a strategic one which requires careful consideration. 

  1. Don’t shoot first and ask questions later

Before incorporating a tool, ask: 

  • What problem am I trying to solve? 
  • Does this tool truly meet that need? 
  • Can it integrate with existing processes without causing friction? 

A tool can be perfectly functional, secure, and up-to-date….and still be useless if it doesn’t address a real problem. Adding it “just because it’s cool” is like buying a Ferrari to haul mulch: you’ll have a shiny car, but the process suffers.  You’ll meet a number of AI prophets and tool aficionados who will try to convince you that tool X is an absolute necessity for your business.  

But business owners must be ruthlessly astute in assessing whether or not they NEED a particular tool – whether that tool solves an actual problem OR will present an opportunity. 

Think “adding a useless tool” is a rare occurrence?  Who would do such a thing?  Well, consider that there are popular softwares now being advertised to collate all an individual’s subscriptions. That is, we have SO MANY subscriptions that people are paying a service to simply organize those subscriptions in one place.  This does not happen just in personal lives – it happens all the time in the life of a business, as well. 

  1. More tools = more complexity

Adding more software can increase capabilities, but it almost always increases confusion. Complexity introduces inefficiency, errors, and frustration. 

Sometimes this is simply a training issue: employees simply aren’t familiar with the new platform. Sometimes it’s more fundamental: the tool can’t perform the task in a way that fits your process. Either way, more tools can mean more headaches, not more productivity. 

Again, this is a common occurrence. A business may purchase a new, robust tool which seems bright and shiny but throws a wrench into an established process. Sometimes a business will purchase a redundant tool which provides a service which is already present in some other tool the business uses.  

A Personal Digital Ethic: Beyond Cyber Hygiene 

Now let’s zoom out. Cyber hygiene focuses on devices, networks, and firewalls. But what about how you personally interact with technology? 

A personal digital ethic is a set of habits, principles, and boundaries that guide your relationship with screens. It applies to everyone: parents and families, employees, and business owners. 

Evidence from Research 

  • Sleep matters. Folks who use screens late at night are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Sleep deprivation reduces focus, decision-making, and vigilance. 
  • Compulsive use is risky. People who use screens compulsively (whether social media, messaging apps, or games) often experience higher stress levels and reduced productivity. 
  • Offline anchors are essential. Regular physical activity, face-to-face interaction, and device-free periods aren’t optional; they’re protective factors for mental health. 

A personal digital ethic is about asking yourself: 

  • Do I really need this tool, app, or notification? 
  • Am I using it intentionally, or just reacting to it? 
  • How is my screen use affecting my sleep and focus? 

For families, an ethical framework is required for kids and teens to learn productivity in a digital age – that is, how to use tools as tools, and not get used by them.   For business leaders, a digital ethic ensures that employees are attentive, productive, and less likely to create cyber risk through distraction or poor judgment. 

Why This Matters for Your Business 

Think your personal screen habits are separate from work? Think again. Lack of sleep, mental health struggles, and poor focus don’t stay at home.  They follow everyone to the office. 

Here’s what research and experience show: 

  • Tired employees make more mistakes, click phishing emails, and miss critical alerts. 
  • Disengaged employees adopt new tools incorrectly or inconsistently, reducing ROI. 
  • Poor personal habits ripple across teams, creating hidden risk and operational friction. 

Your business’s cyber hygiene can be perfect, but if your people are sleep-deprived, distracted, or compulsively scrolling, your network is still vulnerable, and your productivity still suffers. 

And One More Reason Why This Matters 

As we’ve said elsewhere, in an increasingly digital world, face-to-face interactions, personal relationships, and local reputation will be increasingly important trump cards in business.  Social trust generally will decrease; skepticism and cynicism will increase.  Business leaders who are able to effectively leverage personal interaction and local reputation will be better positioned for success. 

So, part of a business owner’s “digital ethic” needs to involve local reputation building in order to be seen as a trusted source. 

How to Build a Personal Digital Ethic 

  1. Be intentional with tools – Only adopt what solves a real problem, and define clear goals for its use. 
  2. Limit multitasking and distraction – Set boundaries for notifications, social media, and messaging apps. 
  3. Protect sleep and focus – Establish screen curfews and offline periods. 
  4. Model good habits – Leaders, show your team and your family how you want technology to be used. 
  5. Teach critical thinking – Ask yourself and your team: “Why am I using this? What am I achieving?” 

The Bottom Line 

Technical cyber hygiene is necessary, but it’s not sufficient. Businesses, parents, and employees all need a broader approach: a thoughtful, ethical, intentional relationship with technology. 

Invest in clean networks. Invest in secure devices. Then invest in your habits, your decisions, and your family’s approach to technology. 

The tools we choose (and HOW we use them) don’t just affect our productivity or security. They affect our judgment, and ultimately, our business success.