Locks and Doors

Every system is a house. Some have open doors for ease of access. Others are so locked down, even the owners struggle to get in.

In software, this is the constant tug-of-war between security and usability. The more secure you make something, the more you risk frustrating your users. But make it too easy, and you’re inviting problems you won’t spot until it’s too late.

So, how do we build systems that are both secure and usable—without compromising either?

Tech Insight: Security vs. Usability – Designing for Both

It’s a false dichotomy to think security and usability can’t coexist. The problem usually comes down to poor design rather than inherent incompatibility.

Consider password policies. For years, users were forced to create complex passwords with arbitrary rules—uppercase letters, symbols, no repeats. The result? Most people just reused the same complex password across platforms or wrote it down.

A better approach? Multi-factor authentication and passwordless logins. They’re secure, but also easier to use once set up properly.

Security shouldn’t be a tax on the user—it should be invisible when things go right, and obvious only when something goes wrong.

Startups often delay security in favor of speed. Enterprises sometimes do the opposite—locking things down so tightly that innovation stalls.

The goal is not to pick a side, but to understand the trade-offs and make informed choices at each stage of growth.

Leadership Lesson: Build a Culture of Safe Convenience

Security shouldn’t just be a checklist—it’s a mindset. And it starts at the top.

Leaders must ensure that security isn’t siloed to infosec teams. Everyone—developers, designers, product managers—must be part of the equation.

But here’s the nuance: this isn’t about creating fear. It’s about designing safe defaults.

A security-aware culture isn’t paranoid—it’s proactive.

Life Tip: Boundaries Are the Best UX

The same trade-off shows up in everyday life. If you make everything in your life “open by default”—no schedule, no filters, no limits—you end up exhausted, distracted, and vulnerable.

Boundaries are not a restriction. They’re a way of designing your life to be more intentional.

Give yourself permission to say no. Put up healthy limits. Secure your time and attention like you would your most valuable data.