Technical Advice

"Building a Security-First Culture Across the Business"

2025-01-07

Image credit: Freepik

Modern cyber risks demand more than just technology—they demand people who think and act securely by default. As IT leaders, we must champion a culture where security is everyone’s responsibility, not just the domain of the infosec team.

Start With Leadership

A security-first culture starts at the top. Board members and execs must be seen to value cyber hygiene and support new initiatives, even when they require business change.

Make Training Real (and Relatable)

Mandatory annual e-learning rarely moves the needle. Instead:

• Bring security scenarios to life with regular, short “micro-drills”
• Run phishing simulations and open Q&A sessions
• Reward those who flag suspicious activity

Embed Security in Daily Processes

Security shouldn’t be a blocker—make it easy to do the right thing. Bake security reviews into procurement, onboarding, and even performance objectives. Make secure practices part of “how we do things here.”

Celebrate Successes, Learn from Incidents

Highlight wins, such as thwarted phishing attempts or staff who’ve reported genuine threats. When things go wrong, focus on lessons learned, not blame.

Security is a team sport—let’s play to win.