Cultivating Security Culture

Friendly Reminder : 🚨Awareness Training is Not Enough!🚨 Many companies invest heavily in cybersecurity awareness training, but if the organizational culture doesn't prioritize security or provide continuous education, these efforts may fall short. Cybersecurity isn't just about checking a box. It's about embedding security into the very fabric of our organizational culture. When security becomes a core value, it influences every decision, behavior, and practice within the company. 🔒 Key Points to Consider: 1. Beyond Training Sessions: Awareness training shouldn't be a one-time event. It requires continuous education and engagement to keep employees vigilant and informed about evolving threats. 2. Culture is Key: A strong security culture means that every employee, from the C-suite to the entry-level, understands the importance of cybersecurity and acts accordingly. It’s about creating an environment where security is everyone’s responsibility. 3. Practical Application: Employees should not only learn about cybersecurity in theory but also practice it in their daily activities. Real-world scenarios and hands-on experiences can reinforce the training material. 4. Leadership Involvement: Leadership must champion cybersecurity initiatives and lead by example. When leaders prioritize security, it sets a precedent for the rest of the organization. 5. Ongoing Communication: Keep the conversation about cybersecurity alive. Regular updates, reminders, and open discussions can help maintain a high level of awareness and preparedness. Let’s move beyond the checkbox mentality and build a robust cybersecurity culture that truly protects our organizations. What are your thoughts? How do you integrate cybersecurity into your company’s culture? Share your experiences and let’s discuss how we can enhance our training programs to be more effective! #Cybersecurity #AwarenessTraining #CyberCulture #SecurityFirst #ContinuousEducation #LinkedInCommunity #cybersecurityawareness

My colleague and Silent Quadrant CEO, Adam Brewer, makes an astute case that in today's climate, cybersecurity leadership can no longer just be relegated to others. Executives across the C-suite must embrace their imperative as cybersecurity trailblazers. Adam outlines key attributes modern leaders need - from cultivating technical curiosity, to instilling resilience through data-driven resource allocation, fostering collaboration across silos, communicating with transparency, architecting robust systems, strategically leveraging partners, managing risks, and empowering continuous improvement. With threats rapidly escalating, organizations need C-level champions who make cybersecurity a strategic business priority. Mindset shifts must occur alongside tactical protections. As Adam states, progress compounds when driven from the top. Leaders who take an active role in steering their company's cybersecurity program can navigate the digital wilderness with confidence. By embracing key pillars, they build resilient organizations where security enables sustainable success. "By exemplifying key traits like technical curiosity, resilience thinking, transparent communication, and hands-on commitment, c-suite executives can blaze the trail to cyber maturity. Prioritizing mindset shifts alongside tactical protections unlocks substantial benefits for their customers, employees, partners, and shareholders." I encourage reading Adam's insights on the critical principles executives must exemplify to blaze a trail to cyber maturity. His perspective equips leaders to meet their imperative for trailblazing cybersecurity governance. #digitalsecurity #cybersecurity #csuiteleaders #resilience

Security Shouldn’t Disrupt Business. It Should Enable It. The biggest complaint I hear from CIOs? Security is slowing things down. Security isn’t about building walls, it’s about keeping the business moving safely. Here’s how to reduce risk without disrupting operations: 1️⃣ Try and gain visibility is everything. This WON'T disrupt anything and gives you full visibility into your network traffic. • Monitor network traffic (Corelight works great) • Map assets & data flows • Track east-west movement • Watch cloud resource usage 2️⃣ Zero Trust, But Make It Simple • Start with privileged accounts • Remove standing privileges. • Enable just-in-time access • Microsegment critical assets 3️⃣ Lock Down Identity & Access • MFA everywhere (no excuses) • Monitor login patterns (my fav is CrowdStrike Falcon Identity) • Track login sources • Flag unusual access attempts 4️⃣ Fix Your Logs (Most skip this!) • Standardize log formats (Cribl). Hey, I did it for Vijilan Security and the engineers just fell in love with it. • Centralize logs (LogScale) • Set retention policies (1 year live, 7 years associated raw logs for each detection) • Enable real-time alerts This is how I would present the numbers to my superiors: ✅ 65% fewer exposed assets ✅ 45% faster threat detection ✅ Zero business disruption ✅ 30% fewer false positives 5️⃣ If you want quick and dirty way to gain quick wins, do this: ✔ Disable unused admin accounts (24h) ✔ Review external facing services (48h) ✔ Implement basic segmentation (1 week) ✔ Roll out MFA (2 weeks) Security isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. Apply 80/20 rule and move your way up. Start small, build momentum, and integrate security without breaking what works. Want more insights like this? Follow me for practical security strategies. #CISO #CrowdStrike #falcon #cribl #ZeroTrust #AttackSurface #Corelight #ITEXPO2025

It’s easy to talk about it, but how can you ‘be about it’? A week or so ago, I shared my thoughts around #cybersecurity culture eating strategy for breakfast. The talk. But how do you actually shift culture? The being. One tool that can make a real difference 👉🏾skip levels. For those unfamiliar, skip levels are meetings where leadership “skips over” managers/leaders/supervisors to connect directly with their teams. These conversations provide insight into what’s really happening on the ground, beyond what’s filtered through the chain of command. No, this isn’t a silver bullet—there’s no single fix for culture. But when done with intention, skip levels can be a powerful tool. Here’s how you can ‘be about it’ with skip levels: 1️⃣ Create spaces for honesty. Small groups, no managers, no fear of repercussions. Make it safe for people to speak freely and actually feel heard. 2️⃣ Focus on solutions. Encourage people to share challenges and ideas. Real change happens when conversations lead to actionable steps. 3️⃣ Circle back. Don’t just collect feedback—show how it led to action, or explain why something can’t change. Transparency builds trust. 4️⃣ Make it a habit. Support leaders in doing the same and embedding these conversations into their leadership style. It’s not a one-and-done. It’s easy to talk about listening, but building trust and driving change requires action. What’s your take? Are skip-level conversations happening where you work? If so, do people feel like they can be candid and open? If not, what’s standing in the way?

You know what’s riskier than raising a red flag? Waiting until it’s a five-alarm fire. For newer professionals, speaking up about a risk can feel 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨. They’re worried they’ll look like they messed up. Or worse—like they can’t handle the job. So instead? They stay quiet. And carry the stress alone. But here’s the thing: silence isn’t safe. It’s actually what undermines trust the most. If you want a team that communicates early and often, they need to know that flagging risks isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. So how do you build that kind of culture? 👍Model it. Tell stories about when you raised a concern early—and how it helped. 👍Celebrate it. When someone on your team flags something, call it out as a win. 👍Coach the words. Try: “I just want to flag this early so we can stay ahead of it.” 👍Reframe the mindset. Risk-spotting isn’t panic—it’s protection. When people know that raising a risk won’t get them in trouble, it’ll get them trusted—that’s when real communication starts.

Cybersecurity isn't just IT's responsibility—it's everyone's lifeline to protecting what matters. Here's why building a security-conscious culture is critical for your business's survival: → 95% of breaches start with human error. This isn't just a statistic—it represents real people, jobs, and livelihoods at risk when employees aren't prepared to spot threats. → With cybercrime costs projected to hit $10 trillion by 2025, the impact goes beyond just business losses—it affects employees' job security, customer trust, and families who depend on the business's success. → Security awareness must flow through every department. When everyone understands their role in protection, we create multiple layers of defense against threats. → Trust is earned through action. Customers choose businesses that demonstrate a commitment to protecting their data and privacy. Building this culture requires: ✔️ Leaders who champion security daily ✔️ Regular, engaging training that connects with real-world scenarios ✔️ Clear channels for reporting concerns without fear ✔️ Recognition for team members who strengthen our security posture Remember: In today's digital world, cybersecurity isn't an IT problem—it's a survival skill that protects jobs, families, and futures. Every employee plays a crucial role in safeguarding not just data, but livelihoods. What steps are you taking to make security awareness part of your company's DNA? 🔒

Cybersecurity: It’s Not Just an IT Role: When people think about cybersecurity, they often imagine IT departments crowded with monitors, buzzing servers, and tech-savvy professionals fighting off hackers. While IT plays a critical role in safeguarding digital infrastructure, the reality is that cybersecurity extends far beyond the IT team. In today’s interconnected world, cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, requiring engagement from every employee, department, and even external partners. Here’s why cybersecurity isn’t just an IT role—and why everyone in your organization has a part to play. Cyber Threats Exploit Human Behavior The most sophisticated firewalls and anti-malware tools can’t protect a company if a single employee clicks on a phishing email. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting individuals rather than systems, using tactics like social engineering, credential theft, and phishing scams to gain access. Cybersecurity Impacts Business Operations A cyberattack doesn’t just affect IT systems—it can disrupt entire business operations.  Legal and Compliance Obligations Regulatory requirements like GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA demand stringent data protection measures. While IT is responsible for implementing technical controls, compliance involves organization-wide participation. The Role of Leadership in Cybersecurity Leadership teams set the tone for a company’s cybersecurity culture. When executives prioritize cybersecurity, it sends a clear message that protecting the organization’s assets is a collective goal. External Partners and Third-Party Risks Vendors and third-party partners can be the weakest link in your cybersecurity chain. IT teams can assess technical vulnerabilities, but procurement and legal teams play a crucial role in vetting and managing vendor relationships. Cybersecurity is not just an IT responsibility—it’s an organizational imperative. By breaking down silos and fostering a culture of security awareness, companies can better protect themselves from evolving threats. When everyone—from the CEO to the newest intern—recognizes their role in cybersecurity, organizations can build stronger, more resilient defenses.

After 25+ years in cybersecurity, 12 of which were in military Information Operations, one thing is clear—technology alone isn’t enough. Leadership matters. Cyber threats evolve daily, but the core principles of strong cybersecurity leadership remain the same: - Be Proactive, Not Reactive – Waiting for an attack to happen is not a strategy. The best defense is anticipating threats before they emerge. - Security is a Culture, Not a Tool – Cyber resilience isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. A security-first mindset should be embedded in every level of an organization. - Adapt or Fall Behind – Threat actors innovate fast. The best leaders drive continuous learning, embrace emerging tech, and never settle for “good enough.” - Partnerships Strengthen Defense – No one fights cybercrime alone. The most effective security strategies come from strong collaborations across the industry. At Cyderes, we apply these leadership principles every day to help organizations navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape. Cybersecurity is a business enabler, and strong leadership is what makes the difference. #CyberSecurity #Leadership #Cyderes

Recently I had the opportunity to speak with The Washington Post about a topic close to my heart: the critical role of culture in building effective cybersecurity. In my discussions with security leaders worldwide, one thing has become clear—successful cybersecurity is not just about having the latest technology or strongest defenses. It’s about creating a culture where security is embedded into everything an organization does. From psychological safety to distributed ownership, fostering a security-first mindset requires more than technical expertise. It demands empathy, trust, and a shared understanding of how security enables innovation and business growth. In the interview, I shared insights from my experience as a former CISO and the lessons I’ve learned at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Here are a few takeaways: Leadership sets the tone: When executives prioritize security, it cascades across the organization. Empathy fosters engagement: Encouraging people to speak up about security concerns, without fear, drives proactive solutions. Scaling security expertise: Programs like AWS’s Security Guardians empower teams to take ownership, embedding security directly into their workflows. Security isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s a shared responsibility and a business enabler. Let’s continue to evolve the conversation and build a safer future together. Read more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gttza7Y4 #awssecurity #reinvent2024

Cybersecurity is a People Game. Not Just a Technology Problem. My recent post about human errors causing 90% of cyber incidents sparked an interesting conversation. Some challenged the exact number, others were surprised. Let's dig deeper and clarify why cybersecurity, and indeed most high-stakes situations, is fundamentally a "people game." 🔸 Human Involvement in Cyberattacks: Social Engineering: Phishing, impersonation, and manipulation rely directly on human trust, psychology, and behavior. (Stanford/Tessian research reports 88% of breaches involve employee mistakes.) Simple Mistakes: Misconfigurations, accidental data leaks, weak passwords, unpatched servers—all rooted in oversight or misunderstanding. (Mimecast’s 2024 "State of Human Risk" reports up to 95% human-error involvement.) Insider Threats: Malicious insiders represent explicit human risk driven by motivations like revenge, financial gain, or ideology. 🔸 Human Factor in Technology Failures: Technology doesn’t operate in isolation. Behind every software bug, missed vulnerability, or system misconfiguration is a human decision. Major outages (cloud providers, airlines, banks) often originate from human oversight, rarely purely technological. 🔸 Human Factor in Espionage & Intelligence: In espionage, the decisive factor isn’t technology, its human judgment, strategy, relationships, and motivations. Spies exploit psychology, trust, and relationships, bypassing firewalls and encryption not through technical means, but through human persuasion. The Common Thread? Humans are always the decisive factor—in cybersecurity, technology, espionage, and beyond. No technology alone solves human decisions, behaviors, or oversight. You need experienced leaders who: Understand human psychology, motivations, and patterns. Foster a culture of awareness, vigilance, and accountability. Enable clear communication and effective decision-making under pressure. Integrate cybersecurity strategically into business processes and everyday actions. But here’s something crucial: companies have a responsibility to make cybersecurity feel like an integral part of their culture, their DNA. Cybersecurity can’t be seen as a burden, punishment, or a source of fear. Instead, it needs to be positioned as a positive, empowering, and natural part of working together safely. When mistakes happen, and they will, companies should educate rather than punish. Create understanding, not fear. Support rather than blame. Of course, consistent and repeated issues should prompt deeper conversations to truly understand why mistakes occur, addressing the root causes constructively and clearly. Cybersecurity, technology, espionage, all fundamentally rely on people, not tech alone. Let’s invest in humans first, build cybersecurity into our culture, and remove the fear. #Cybersecurity #HumanElement #Leadership #RiskManagement #ExperiencedCISO #SecurityCulture #LeadershipMatters #Education #CyberResilience #QUONtech