The need for cybersecurity and protecting your company’s data is clear. Everyone knows you need to have a firewalls, anti-virus, backups, and other protections in place. Every article, video, or presentation is about how you need to protect your organization from the threat actors that are trying to steal your valuable data.
Yes, these protections are important and need to be in place. But do you know what else is important?
A strong security culture within your organization. Preferably one that starts at the top, with executive leadership, and flows to every person, regardless of level.
Culture is a one of those buzz words that a lot of businesses throw around. Come work for us our culture is great! Look at our amazing company with an amazing culture! Lots of companies like to shout about the great culture they have.
Many do. Some don’t.
Culture is a collection of behaviors and beliefs associated with a particular group, like your company. It’s important that leadership exhibits behaviors and beliefs consistent with a strong cybersecurity posture. They should be talking about security to staff, making time for it at department meetings, and proactively giving updates to the board of directors.
They also need to be setting a good example for the rest of the organization. Leading by example applies to building a cybersecurity culture. It doesn’t do any good for the CEO to talk about security, but then thwart all the work IT has done. Our have the CFO say, “security training is only for the staff, it doesn’t apply to me”. These types of actions don’t model what the company wants or needs.
The CEO should be publicly congratulating the employee that called out suspicious behavior. The CFO should be encouraging all employees to finish their security awareness training. Managers need to be recognizing staff that follow security procedures. Everyone plays a role.
A cybersecurity culture needs to start from the top and trickle down. Leaders must set the example for the rest of the organization to follow. Building a culture assists in normalizing security throughout the organization. Prevention starts with every person throughout the entire organization.
Tips for a strong security culture within your organization:
- Make sure cybersecurity is aligned with your company goals at the highest levels
- Educate and train employees on current cybersecurity threats and trends. Make sure employees are trained to make smart security decisions.
- Reward and recognize employees that model the behavior you want in your company.
- Develop clear policies and procedures that everyone understands and follows
- Start small and build upon successes.
Creating a strong cybersecurity culture in your company isn’t going to happen overnight, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s important that it starts at the top and is consistent throughout the entire organization.