From Fear to Confidence Online: Inside ADENTITI

In an exclusive interview with Black Business Magazine, Makafui Bokor, Founder of ADENTITI, shares a fresh and practical approach to cybersecurity that puts people, not just technology, at the centre of the conversation. This discussion explores how digital safety can be simplified, humanized, and made accessible for everyday users, families, and entrepreneurs.

Makafui Bokor is the Founder of ADENTITI, a human-centred cybersecurity company focused on helping individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and organizations stay safer online through practical education, awareness, and support. Based in Toronto, he is building a mission-driven brand that makes digital safety more relatable, understandable, and actionable for everyday people navigating an increasingly connected world.

Through ADENTITI, Makafui combines cybersecurity awareness, public speaking, workshops, storytelling, and educational content to bridge the gap between technology and human behaviour. His work extends beyond traditional cybersecurity services by creating learning experiences, conversations, and initiatives that help people build confidence and resilience in the digital age.

As a founder, speaker, and advocate for practical digital safety, he is committed to making cybersecurity less intimidating, more human, and more useful for the communities and businesses that need it most.

What inspired you to create ADENTITI, and when did you first realize that cybersecurity needed a more human‑centred, everyday‑language approach rather than technical jargon and fear‑based messaging?

What inspired me to create ADENTITI was the realization that cybersecurity is often treated like a technical problem, when in reality, it is deeply human. Most cyber incidents don’t begin with advanced hacking they begin with trust, confusion, distraction, or a simple mistake. I saw that many people, families, and small businesses were not failing because they were careless, but because cybersecurity had never been explained to them in a way that felt clear, practical, and relevant to everyday life.

That shift became very real for me when I noticed how often people would tune out the moment cybersecurity was discussed. The language felt too complex, too fear-driven, and too far removed from their daily reality. I realized that if people could not see themselves in the conversation, they were unlikely to act on it.

ADENTITI was built to change that. I wanted to create a brand that makes digital safety feel more human, more relatable, and more empowering so people can move from fear and confusion to awareness and confidence.

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Many people and small businesses don’t ignore cybersecurity because they don’t care, but because it feels confusing or overwhelming. In simple terms, how do you make digital safety feel relatable and practical for non‑technical audiences?

I start by removing the pressure to “be technical” and focusing instead on real-life behaviour. Most people don’t need a lecture on cybersecurity frameworks, they need help recognizing everyday risks in a way that makes sense to them. So I break digital safety down into simple, familiar situations: suspicious emails, fake urgency, weak passwords, oversharing online, unsafe links, and the small habits that can either protect or expose us.

I also avoid leading with fear. Fear may grab attention, but it doesn’t always create lasting change. People learn better when they feel informed, respected, and capable. That’s why I focus on practical examples, relatable language, and scenarios people can immediately connect to in their personal life, workplace, or business.

For small businesses especially, I frame cybersecurity as part of daily operations and trust not just IT. When people begin to see that cybersecurity is really about habits, awareness, and decision-making, it becomes less overwhelming and much easier to apply consistently.

ADENTITI blends education, storytelling, workshops, and digital content to teach online safety. What kinds of learning experiences or moments have you found most effective in helping people actually change their day‑to‑day online habits?

The most effective learning experiences are the ones where people can see themselves in the lesson. When someone hears a story, sees a realistic scenario, or recognizes a situation they have personally experienced, the message becomes much more memorable. That is why storytelling has been such a powerful tool in my work. It helps move cybersecurity from something abstract to something personal and real.

I have found that interactive learning also makes a big difference. Workshops, discussions, and scenario-based activities tend to create stronger behaviour change than passive information alone, because people are actively thinking through what they would do in a real situation.

Another key moment is when people realize that small actions matter. A stronger password, slowing down before clicking, turning on multi-factor authentication, or simply questioning urgency can significantly reduce risk. When people understand that digital safety is built through consistent small habits, not perfection, they become more confident and more willing to take ownership of their online behaviour.

As a founder building a purpose‑driven brand, what have been one or two of the biggest challenges you’ve faced on your entrepreneurial journey—and what has helped you stay resilient and keep moving forward?

One of the biggest challenges has been building something that is both meaningful and sustainable. When you are creating a purpose-driven brand, especially in a space like cybersecurity, there can be tension between what is urgently needed in the community and what the market immediately understands or values. That means part of the journey has been not only building the business, but also helping people understand why this kind of human-centred approach matters.

Another challenge has been learning to stay focused while building across multiple areas education, speaking, awareness, content, and brand growth without losing the core mission. Entrepreneurship can stretch you in many directions, so clarity becomes very important.

What has kept me moving forward is purpose. I believe this work matters, and I’ve seen how much people need cybersecurity to be communicated in a way that is practical and human. That conviction, along with resilience, faith, and a long-term vision, has helped me keep building even when progress has been slow or uncertain.

For families, professionals, or Black entrepreneurs who want to be safer online but don’t know where to start, what is one simple first step you recommend they take this week to improve their digital safety?

If I had to recommend one simple first step, it would be this: turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your most important accounts this week.

That includes your email, banking apps, social media, and any business-related platforms you rely on. It is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce your risk, because even if a password is exposed, MFA creates an extra layer of protection.

I recommend starting with email first, because your email often connects to everything else. Once that is secured, you are already in a much stronger position.

More importantly, taking one clear action builds momentum. Digital safety does not improve because people try to do everything at once, it improves when they start with one meaningful habit and build from there. Cybersecurity does not have to begin with fear or complexity. It can begin with one practical decision that makes you safer today than you were yesterday.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Black Business Magazine or its affiliates. The magazine is committed to supporting Black entrepreneurs and fostering conversations that promote inclusion and economic empowerment.