A Company’s Cybersecurity Culture Starts from the Top

There are countless aspects of running a business that demand your attention on a daily basis, but one of the most important that can often go by the wayside is cybersecurity. No matter the size of your business, cybersecurity can make all the difference in preserving your organization’s future. While we recommend implementing technology solutions to make cybersecurity easier to manage, without an established culture of cybersecurity, your business will remain at risk regardless of the measure you take to protect it.

That’s where you come in; as the leader, it’s your responsibility to foster this culture and bring it to the forefront of your efforts. Even with top-of-the-line security standards and secure passwords, if your team members are not acting in accordance with your cybersecurity measures, these solutions won’t be enough to protect your business.

Build a Culture of Cybersecurity

Have you ever heard of the concept of social proof? It’s usually used in the context of marketing, but it can be put to good use for your organization’s cybersecurity culture as well. Social proof implies that people can be convinced to think or act in a certain way based on what others have to say on the topic. While it might seem easy enough to implement in the workplace, it’s not always a simple or straightforward process.

An important note is that your organization’s cybersecurity culture will not see an immediate shift; it will instead form over time as more employees buy into the thought process. It takes time!

When you onboard a new employee, consider the influence that the other employees might have on their perception of cybersecurity. If the cybersecurity culture at your company is less-than-stellar, your employees might tell the new hire that they should use the same username and password, a practice that could potentially leave your organization more at risk than necessary. If this behavior persists, it can become the norm. This systemic risk can affect your entire organization if left unchecked.

But what if you instead encourage the proper cybersecurity practices? If company policies require that all of your passwords must have a certain level of complexity, and your employees are all on board with this policy, any new hires will be indoctrinated into this mindset by default.

Set a Good Example

As the business owner, you can take action to create a culture of cybersecurity awareness within your day-to-day operations. Here are just a few of them:

• Strong Password Hygiene: Having password policies is not enough; instead, implement solutions that require a minimum standard of security.
• Clear Access Controls: While you can restrict access to certain users, it’s important to reevaluate these on a regular basis to look for weaknesses and shortcomings in your network security.
• Ongoing Security Training: Onboarding should be just the start of your employees’ cybersecurity training. Proper practices can be reinforced periodically through the use of regular training sessions.

So, how will you use your authority as a leader to lead your business toward a brighter and more secure future? If you can set a good example now, your culture will grow into one that reinforces itself over time. To learn more about how you can protect your business long-term, reach out to us at (703) 821-8200.