You're facing non-technical board members. How can you break down complex cybersecurity jargon for them?
Ever decoded tech talk for a non-tech crowd? Share your strategies for simplifying cybersecurity lingo.
You're facing non-technical board members. How can you break down complex cybersecurity jargon for them?
Ever decoded tech talk for a non-tech crowd? Share your strategies for simplifying cybersecurity lingo.
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Don't. Until the rest of the board members start explaining all the jargon *they* use. Explain IRR and why it matters. What is this ARPU stuff? Now we are talking about 409A? What the hack is that?
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Communication is critical; but the most effective way to communicate to non-technical board members (or anyone), is to use storytelling. People don’t remember exactly what you’ve said,they remember how you made them feel! Creating a story that invokes emotions(good & bad), grounded in something relevant to the audience is always what worked for me (as a practitioner, executive cyber leader and as a former Gartner analyst). Eg. If you wanted to highlight the criticality of identity security (i.e protecting user identities); build a storyline where you show how easy it is for you, using public/dark web info to gain insight into a board member. Possibly show credential compromise. This will help to drive relevance!
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Clear communication is key when presenting cybersecurity to non-technical board members. Focusing on the business impact of cyber risks, rather than technical jargon, fosters understanding. A Harvard Business Review study found that framing cybersecurity in terms of financial risks resonates more with executives. Use analogies—like comparing firewalls to locked doors—and emphasize ROI from security investments. How do you ensure that cybersecurity is viewed as a business enabler during board discussions? Simplifying without losing value is the art of effective communication.
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Start by not using acronyms. If you have to (or accidentally!) use an acronym, spell out what it is. Don’t assume they know what you’re talking about. Pause after each major idea and ask if there are any questions or anything you need to clarify. Stay patient and don’t show annoyance when they do ask questions. That’s my $.02.
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A non-technical audience will be significantly more receptive to the information if they comprehend its potential impact and implications. For example, during a red team outbrief with non-technical stakeholders, it is unwise to concentrate on the technical specifics of one of the engagement’s successful attack paths. This is too technical for non-technical stakeholders, and you risk losing their attention. Therefore, preparation is paramount. Instead, before your outbrief, conduct thorough research to identify the relevant information that is likely to be considered valuable by the non-technical audience. Subsequently, craft your presentation to proactively address the “what’s-in-it-for-me” concerns early in the interaction.
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