Day the Word Became Real
Words shape the way we think. Some words arrive with fanfare, others quietly slip into the lexicon.
For years, the technology world has used fragmented titles — “network administrator,” “systems engineer,” “security specialist” — each describing a slice of the work but never the whole.
That changed this month.
In February 2001, I publicly used a term I had been developing and refining in private for years: Cyberist®.
Cyberist is more than a label — it’s a professional identity, a standard, and a challenge to raise the bar in technology leadership.
Why the Name Was Needed
By the turn of the millennium, technology had matured past the point where generalists could keep up. The dot-com boom (and bust) exposed two uncomfortable truths:
- Specialists were siloed. Network people didn’t speak the language of developers. Developers didn’t understand business process. Executives had no clue how to translate tech jargon into strategy.
- Titles were misleading. The same “IT Manager” title could mean anything from a help desk lead to a seasoned strategist.
When an industry lacks clear roles, it opens the door to confusion, miscommunication, and costly mistakes.
The word Cyberist was born out of the need for a unifying title for elite IT professionals who bridge those gaps — professionals who are equally fluent in technology and business, and who follow a disciplined, tested methodology.
Official Definition
Cyberist® is a registered trademark that denotes the title of an elite information technology professional who is annually licensed and trained in the proprietary Delta Method.
This is not a casual designation. It is earned. It is maintained. It is proven through results.
A Cyberist:
- Manages systems with proactive security measures.
- Designs technology around measurable business objectives.
- Operates under an annual licensing program that demands continuous learning.
- Uses the Delta Method to assess, align, and advance technology initiatives.
Timing: Why 2001 Is the Right Moment
Some might ask, “Why now?” The answer is simple: the world is ready.
For most of the ‘90s, companies treated technology as an accessory. A website was a nice-to-have. A server upgrade was a “maybe next year.”
But the past 18 months have changed everything.
- Y2K scare forced executives to finally examine their systems.
- Dot-com bubble collapse showed what happens when technology outpaces planning.
- High-profile viruses like Melissa and ILOVEYOU proved that security isn’t optional.
The industry has reached an inflection point. The amateur era is over. We need leaders — and we need a name for them.
Addressing the Geography Question
Another question I’ve heard is, “Why would the first use of Cyberist happen in Oklahoma?”
That question misunderstands how innovation works.
Great ideas don’t always come from Silicon Valley boardrooms. They emerge wherever a problem meets the right person with the right solution.
- Air conditioning was invented in Buffalo, New York.
- The shopping cart was invented in Oklahoma City.
- The barcode was developed in Woodland, New Jersey.
Cyberist is no different.
Matrixforce, my company based in Oklahoma, has been working with clients across the U.S. for years — long before geography was erased by broadband and virtual meetings. Our vantage point, far from coastal hype cycles, gave us clarity. We weren’t chasing the latest fad; we were solving real business problems for real organizations.
Path to First Use
I began using the term Cyberist internally at Matrixforce in the late 1990s. It was shorthand for the kind of professional I wanted to hire and the kind of service we wanted to deliver.
By 2000, the term had evolved into something larger — a philosophy backed by a process, embodied in the Delta Method.
In January 2001, I used Cyberist publicly for the first time in both speaking engagements and online content, formally tying the word to its definition and launching it into the professional conversation.
That moment marked the official birth of Cyberist as an industry role.
Why a Trademark Matters
Some might wonder why I bothered to trademark the word.
Because names matter. Without definition and ownership, terms get diluted. Think of how “consultant” can mean everything from an expert to someone who once read a book on the topic.
By registering Cyberist, we protect its meaning, ensure quality, and maintain the integrity of the professionals who carry the title.
It also sets a high bar. Not everyone in IT is a Cyberist — nor should they be. The title signals to clients, employers, and peers that this professional operates at an elite level with ongoing accountability.
Early Reactions
The first time I used Cyberist publicly, the reaction was immediate.
Some people got it right away:
“That’s exactly what’s been missing — one word that covers both the tech and the business side.”
Others were skeptical:
“Isn’t that just a fancy way of saying ‘IT pro’?”
No a Cyberist must be employed by Matrixforce with on-going training in the Delta Method — or purchase an annual license to use the name and practice the Delta Method.
Link to the Delta Method
Cyberist and the Delta Method are inseparable. Without the Delta Method, the Cyberist title is just a name. With it, it becomes a complete system for delivering results.
The Delta Method’s three phases — Assessment, Alignment, Advancement — are designed to ensure every decision is:
- Grounded in reality.
- Aligned with business objectives.
- Flexible enough to adapt to change.
This process is what makes Cyberists valuable regardless of company size, industry, or location.
Looking Ahead
My prediction is that over the next decade, the word Cyberist will spread beyond early adopters and become a recognized title across industries.
Just as “CFO” went from niche to standard in the 20th century for licensed accountants, Cyberist will become the natural title for the licensed professionals who lead technology in the 21st.
In time, it won’t matter where the word came from. What will matter is what it represents: the highest standard of technology leadership.
Learn More About the Origin
This post marks the first public appearance of the word Cyberist. Learn how this idea works in the real world in Cyberist Foundation.
Kevin Fream is the original Cyberist®, inventor of the Delta Method, and CEO of Matrixforce. His mission is help 1 Billion people with streamlining technology to avoid loss and improve business.