Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to reflect on lessons I learned from an unlikely source: a class I took on Plant Pathology. As part of my academic journey, the class explored how plants thrive in challenging environments, defend themselves against threats, and adapt to changing conditions. The parallels to cybersecurity were hard to ignore.

In my recent column for the @ISACA Newsletter, Growing Cyber Defenses: From Seed to System, I drew on these lessons to discuss how organizations can cultivate strong, resilient cyber defenses. Just as healthy crops depend on rich soil, proper care, and early intervention against disease, effective cybersecurity strategies require nurturing at every stage—from initial planning to fully operational systems.

Plant Pathology taught me that sustainable growth is rarely accidental; it’s the result of thoughtful preparation and continuous attention. Cybersecurity is no different. Building defenses that can withstand persistent threats and unforeseen challenges demands a systems-level approach, where every decision contributes to the overall health of the enterprise.

I hope the column offers fresh insights to help practitioners think about their cybersecurity programs in new ways—starting with the “seeds” we plant today.

If you’d like to read more about this perspective, the column is available here: Growing Cyber Defenses: From Seed to System.